We are reasonably well served by trains.  Sable [12km away] is on the main TGV line from Paris to Nantes and although it only has a couple of direct trains to/from Paris every day it’s only about 20 minutes on the local train to Le Mans which is a major rail centre and just 59 mins from Paris Montparnasse by TGV. There are also slower cheaper trains to Le Mans from Paris if you want to see more of the countryside and/or save money.

 If you decide you want to come by train then it is definitely worth booking Eurostar early and being as flexible as possible about the exact day/time because prices vary considerably.   The latest information and specific advice on how to buy tickets can be found at the independent website Seat61.  

http://www.seat61.com/Europe-train-tickets.htm#How%20to%20buy%20European%20train%20tickets%20online

This goes through all the basic steps and problems you might encounter but here are a couple of locally related issues that we have noticed.    Be warned that if you try and book tickets online direct to Sable-sur-Sarthe our nearest station they’ll probably tell you it doesn’t exist or quote an outrageously expensive fare.  Instead organize the journey in stages, and check tickets to Le Mans which is a major destination and then you can get a ticket on the local train on the day. BUt be warned the local trains do not connect with every train from Paris, and they stop quite early in the evening.   

Most options to get back to London go via Paris, but this does mean you have to go across the city from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse.  Although this is a direct metro link taking about 20 mins on a good day the access between the mainline and metro at Montparnasse in particular is very cumbersome and timeconsuming.   Allow at least 7 or 8 minutes if you are  fit and not carrying luggage or dealing with small children.  There are lots of steps and long walks and it is very difficult if you have mobility problems.    An alternative route is to change trains at Lille, which normally only involves crossing the platform, but unfortunately there are far fewer good connections.

The best place to buy tickets online  is either  https://uk.voyages-sncf.com/en  which is the English site of SNCF the French rail network who run the tunnel, or Eurostar http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en

Tickets are normally available 3 months in advance, but if you want to make a complicated journey, or need to book furtehr in advance than that you have to speak to sncf on the phine.