• TGV--this acronym stands for "train de grande vitesse" or train of great speed because it travels approximately 300 miles an hour
• LA GARE--the train station
• LE BILLET--the train ticket
• COMPOSTER--machine that validates tickets (you must stamp your ticket before boarding and these machines are not hard to find because they're usually bright orange!)
• SNCF--train network throughout France (the website provides valuable information about discounted tickets and how to buy them)