Bordeaux Saint-Jean

Bordeaux Saint Jean is a stunning train station and its beauty has been enhanced by recent renovations timed to coincide with the opening of the France’s newest high speed line.

However, the facelift hasn’t improved the awkward access to/from the majority of trains that arrive at/depart from Gare Bordeaux St Jean.

GOOD TO KNOW:

(1) The long station building at Bordeaux St Jean is divided into Halles 1 and 2

Halle 1 - is the main hall, and is the station's main waiting area, it also houses the ticket office (the Billetterie) and has access to the 1st class lounge (the Salon Grand Voyageur).

Halle 2 - houses the left luggage and lost property office.
The passage between them is home to food/drink outlets and two waiting rooms that have re-charge points.

(2) There is no lift or escalator access to any of the voies/platforms at Bordeaux St Jean.

(3) If you are lucky your train will be using voie/platform/track 1, as this is adjacent to the main halls at the station, so has step free access from the street and tram stops.

(4) If your long distance train isn't using voie/platform/track 1, you will have to use the passage ways beneath the tracks for access to and from the train.

(5) Bordeaux Saint Jean has two of these passage ways and you should use whichever of them is nearest to you when you step on to the voie/platform when arriving by train.

Both passage ways lead to the street and the tram stop (Bordeaux does not have a Metro).

(5) On voies/platforms/tracks 2 – 7 there are easy to miss ramps that lead down to both passage ways, so you don’t have to use the stairs if you have luggage etc.

(6) Platforms/voies 8 – 14 can only be accessed via steps to/from the passage ways.
The Intercite trains towards Toulouse and Marseille tend to arrove at/depart from this part of the station.

(The TGVs usually arrive at/depart from voies 1 – 7).

(7) Voies/platforms A-C also have step free access, but they are only used by TER trains.

However, they are located on the far side of Halle 2, so are a 3 - 5 min walk from Halle 1.

OUTSIDE THE STATION:

The tram stop is directly in front of Halle 2, but it is also only steps away from the main entrance/exit from Halle 1.

The neighbourhood around Bordeaux Saint Jean is fairly attractive – there are numerous brasseries in which to have a drink or something to eat, you don't have to use the outlets in the station.

Read More about French stations