French Train - Example

Traveling by train in France can be great, but also a little confusing at first. Here's a little example of a relatively simple trip...

You can use other apps/websites, but here I'm using the SNCF app. The opening page asks where you want to go...

I entered "Sète" for the arrival, then "Perpignan" as the  departure, then the date I wanted. Notice that I have a choice about the type of ticket - there's "standard" but there's also a reduced price for 60 years or older (circled in blue). Then I clicked on "see prices" (circled in pink)

This gave me a list of possibilities. I can also click to see earlier or later trains. 

Notice that TER trains don't have reserved seating, and so (1) don't sell out, (2) might be standing room only, and (3) tickets can be used on TER trains at a different time on that same day and for the same destination and fare. 

TGV and InterCity trains are reserved. I'm picking the one circled (TER).

This is the information initially provided. However, they don't tell you the critical information you need when looking for your train at the station! The stations have arrival/departure screens that give the platforms for the different trains - the fastest way to find your train is to look for the destination. This is the *final* destination of the train not necessarily *your* destination. (It's the same for buses, BTW). Note that you can also use the train number, but for me, that's just more obscure.
So, to find out the destination, I clicked on the circled "Journey details"

The first train ends in Narbonne (which is where I will transfer). Transfers almost always involve going up or down from the arrival platform, across, then down or up to the departure platform. They're usually labelled "A" or "F" (etc), so look for the stairs/elevators and signs. Check the departure screen first, of course!

The second train starts in Narbonne, and ends at Avignon Centre. I want off before then, at Sète.

If I have a paper TER ticket (perhaps purchased at a machine), then once I know my train is coming soon, I "stamp" it at one of the little yellow machines (otherwise risking a fine). If it's electronic or reserved, I just go to my platform. Usually the platform (quai) will have a screen indicating how many cars, and where on the platform it will be (e.g., car 3 stops at section W). This is approximate (of course), and only really helpful for reserved seats.

Once settled on the train, I keep an eye on the stops, and head to the doors when mine is coming up (there's not much time to get off).

Here's a bird's eye view of the Sète train station (Gare). I can come straight out the exit/entrance (circled in blue), and turn left to catch the city buses (at the "gare routière" - outside of this picture), or I can meet someone in a car at the very-short-term "dépose minute" (circled in pink).