There are no stations on the LGV Sud Europe Atlantique line to Bordeaux; access to cities like Tours or Angoulême en route is provided by flying junctions connecting to conventional networks running parallel to the high-speed line.
With five Ouigo and 21 inOui weekday services each way between 6 am and 10 pm, the LGV extension from Tours to Bordeaux has been successful since its launch in 2017.
The budget seats on board are arranged in a 2-2 configuration without recline or headrest adjustment but offer ample legroom. Most seating follows an airline style layout with some bays of four for larger groups. Power sockets are absent, though there are luggage racks at both ends on both decks. The overhead racks on the upper deck can accommodate small items but not carry-on suitcases; space under seats is used for smaller items.
Tickets must be purchased online as Ouigo does not have ticket counters or physical tickets. The €44 Ouigo Plus tickets included an upgrade for additional baggage, seat selection, and access to onboard Wi-Fi (‘Ouifi’). Wi-Fi speed was measured at 2.89 Mbps with basic features such as a moving map and limited entertainment options.
There is minimal onboard service apart from one trash collection mid-journey. Tickets were checked before platform entry rather than onboard scanning during our trip.
Accessibility remains an issue due to steps required to enter each carriage; however, accessible seats and restrooms are available on lower decks with staff-operated ramps when needed.
Restrooms upstairs were clean but small, matching Ouigo's color scheme with pink toilet paper.
Overall, both journeys were smooth. The non-stop southbound service took 123 minutes for its 499 km route while stopping twice on return added only 24 minutes overall. Both departures were punctual; we arrived six minutes late in Bordeaux but returned two minutes early.
France has banned flights on routes covered within less than 150 minutes by train; hence many price-conscious travelers prefer “oui” to Ouigo over other transport modes.
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