Visually impaired passengers
Updated on 8 March 2026
5-minute readAmenities and comfort on board a TGV INOUI
Priority" seats
These seats are intended primarily for people with disabilities or reduced mobility who are looking for easy-access seats.
The "priority" seats are all in the lower deck, mostly near the exits and toilets, and some near the on-board information screens and the car in which the meeting point with the purser is located.
Guide/assistance dog places
These seats are intended primarily for :
- any passenger with a disability accompanied by a guide or assistance dog ;
- any customer travelling with a guide dog in training (educator or foster family).
These seats are not intended for pets (including emotional support dogs).
The guide/assistance dog seats allow you to travel more serenely with your faithful companion. They are located in places defined in collaboration with specialised associations and/or partners to ensure greater comfort for travellers with guide or assistance dogs (for example, "back-to-back" seats that allow the dog to be placed in the space between the two seats, or seats at the back of the auditorium, out of the way of other passengers).
As the number of seats is limited, if you were unable to obtain a guide/assistance dog seat when you booked your tickets, don't hesitate to contact the Captain, who will be able to help you find a more suitable place.
Please note that the spaces reserved for passengers in wheelchairs are not "guide dog/assistance" seats.
Please note that priority seats and guide dog/assistance seats must be selected when you buy your train tickets. Remember to ask for them online or from SNCF Voyageurs sales agents.
Tactile signage in relief and/or Braille
On board certain TGV INOUI trains, tactile pictograms are used to identify hygiene equipment in the toilets.
On certain destinations (from Paris to the Atlantic, South-East and East of France, or to Germany, Switzerland and Spain), the soap, water and hand dryer are always arranged in the same logical order, from left to right. Tactile pictograms are positioned just above each of these elements.
The tactile lock improves comfort and convenience: it combines the closing and locking functions of the door and can be operated with the palm of the hand.
It enables blind and partially-sighted people to see when a toilet is occupied. The colours red, green and orange are combined with the symbols "round domed", "round hollow" and "cross" to indicate whether the toilet is occupied, vacant or out of service, respectively. This lock can be found on the UFR-accessible toilets on the TGV INOUI 'Océane' and 'Océane like' on certain destinations from Paris to the Atlantic and to Sud-Est France.
Contrasting stair nosings improve visibility to make it easier to get on and off the stairs in double-decker TGV INOUI trains.
On-board audio announcements
Some TGVs are equipped with an Onboard Passenger Information System (SIVE). This system broadcasts visual messages on screens and automated audio announcements. Passengers are kept informed in real time about their journey and destinations (services, timetables, etc.). SIVE is generally present on certain destinations from Paris to the Atlantic, South-East and East of France, as well as to Germany, Switzerland and Spain,
The conductor also uses audio announcements to keep you informed throughout your journey.
Help with locating doors (ARP)
The TGV INOUI l'Océane trains (operating on certain destinations from Paris to the Atlantic and South-East) are equipped with a voice-activated information system installed at the train doors. Using a universal remote control, this system activates audible messages that can be heard from the platform.
Visually impaired people can thus trigger the reading of information relating to the number of the carriage and the destination of the train. The ARP is a reassurance device that enables these passengers to board the train completely independently.
Find out about the accessibility of the station before buying your train ticket
It is not always possible to embark/disembark independently, and you should find out whether (free) assistance to help you get on and off the train is required.
Find all the information you need about station accessibility and the assistance services available on the days and at the times you require on the SNCF Gares & Connexions website.
You can also contact Assist'enGare by telephone every day from 8am to 8pm, on 32 12 and on +33 (0)9 72 72 00 92 from abroad (free service + call charge).
People with a disability card (excluding RPG) or Mobility Inclusion Card do not benefit from any special reductions because of their disability (only a guide can benefit from a reduction depending on the details on the disabled person's French Mobility Inclusion Card).
When purchasing their tickets, in the " seating preferences" section, they can select 1st or 2nd class seats for disabled passengers. These "priority" seats and "guide dog/assistance" seats are subject to availability.
Depending on what is stated on the disabled person's French Inclusive Mobility Card, they may apply a "GUIDE fare" to a single passenger aged over 12 who accompanies and assists them on the same domestic/national journey:
- 50% reduction on the full 2nd class leisure fare if the "mobilité inclusion invalidité" card does not have a mention or if the 80% or more invalidity card does not have a mention.
- Free travel (except for the application of a €3 or €10 booking fee depending on the period of travel) if the "mobility and inclusion disability" card or the disability card is endorsed with the words "Needs assistance" or "Third person".
Your guide or assistance dog is transported free of charge without the need for a ticket.
However, you must comply with the following conditions:
- Guide dog or assistance dog : you must prove that your dog is on board the train by showing your French Mobility Inclusion card with the word "invalidité" or "priorité" ("disability" or "priority") on it, or your old French invalidity or priority card valid until 31/12/2026, or your "Réformé Pensionné de Guerre" card with two blue bars.
- Guide dog trainees in training : the dog's trainer must present his or her personal travel ticket, French guide dog trainer's card and the French identification card of the dog in training, showing the details of its foster family. During the journey, student dogs must wear a work waistcoat bearing the words "student guide dog" or the logo of the training centre.
In accordance with the law of 11 February 2005, you are not obliged to muzzle your guide or assistance dog if you have the document proving its education (national certificate of identification and education of the dog issued by the education centres). You must be able to show this certificate when you travel.
However, to ensure that your guide or assistance dog is easily identifiable, it is advisable to wear a harness, cape, saddlebags or any other attribute.
You should be aware that when travelling in a couchette on a night train, you can only travel with your guide or assistance dog with the agreement of the other passengers. If your compartment neighbours refuse to allow your guide or assistance dog, the purser will try to find a satisfactory solution if possible.
Please note that so-called "emotional support" dogs are not considered to be "assistance dogs" and are therefore subject to the "domestic animal" travel conditions.
Finally, if you are travelling abroad with your guide or assistance dog, check with the carrier concerned to ensure that your pet can accompany you.
Our staff are trained to welcome people with disabilities.
Please note that disabled people have priority access to the counters.
The "Rendez-vous" service also allows you to have a personal meeting with one of our advisers.
If necessary, ask our staff for a "priority seat" or "guide dog/assistance seat" so that you can take advantage of a seat that is more suitable for people with disabilities.
On request, our agents can also pre-book assistance for you withAssist'enGare.
Accès Plus expert line on 3635 then #45 (free service + cost of a call) or, from abroad, on 00 33 1 84 94 36 35 (cost of an international call).
Remember to specify that you are travelling with a disability so that our telephone advisers can offer you a priority seat if one is still available. On request, our telephone advisers can also pre-book assistance for you withAssist'enGare.
Remember to select a "priority seat" or "guide/assistance dog seat" in the "seating preferences" section to ensure that you get a seat that is more suitable for people with disabilities.
Remember to tick the "Reduced mobility or disabilities" boxes to be able to book assistance fromAssist'enGare directly after buying your train ticket(a feature only offered by sncf.connect at present).
- Accès Plus Support
Free assistance getting on and off the train, bookable with Assist'enGare up to 24 hours before the train's departure (assistance not guaranteed without booking).
Find out more
- Junior & Cie Service
Does your child aged between 4 and 14 have a disability and need to take the train alone? The Junior & Cie escort service is available for children with special needs.
Find out more
- Mes bagages service
A simple, practical, no-holds-barred, fast service to send your baggage and travel light and worry-free on trains. If required, take advantage of the negotiated rate for transporting a wheelchair.
Find out more
Contact us
Find out about our various contact points adapted for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.
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