Just found some updated info on the net. Basically you will not be able to book for a train from Milan/Turin to Paris from 1st July 2010. There are problems between France and Italy and therefore there are no ticket sales after June 30. The only way to reach Paris will be by taking an internal french train from Modane.
I'll post the explanation - its in italian

Treni giorno Parigi-Milano
Chiusura della circolazione dei treni giorno a partire dal 1° luglio

Le prenotazioni dei treni giorno Milano-Parigi Artesia sono chiuse per i percorsi internazionali e nazionali italiani a partire dal 1° luglio prossimo per un periodo di tempo non ancora definito. Infatti, la procedura d’omologazione dei treni giorno Artesia al nuovo sistema prossimamente in vigore sulle infrastrutture italiane (SCMT) è attualmente in corso, ma non è ancora stato convalidata dalle autorità competenti.

Le uniche prenotazioni possibili per viaggi a partire dal 1 luglio 2009, saranno dunque quelle sulle tratte interne francesi (asse Paris-Modane).

Ci scusiamo per il disagio creato. Sarà nostra cura tenervi informati su tutti gli sviluppi.

sorry just noticed this was from last year - but the problem is exactly the same this year and the article was in La Stampa last week.

European Union. Might explain why posters for German/Austrian trains have appeared in Verona. The same must be happening with their train bookings.
What are you going to do? A day trip to Briancon to book the journey? It's like going back 30yrs when you could only book a train on a certain date.

I really dont know I feel like crying today ! I finished work on Friday and was convinced I'd be going home in about a week - doesnt look like it now. Have been reading some other blogs and sites and alot of people like me who have been visiting the station every day. Its got to the stage that all the staff at my local station now know me and just shake their head every day to save me queueing
Apparantely the problem could have been avoided as they have known about it for ages but in typical italian fashion everything is left till the last moment. So I might find out on the 1st July if there is a service or not.

ps; have also just read that relations between Sncf and trenitalia are very strained - they apparantely signed an armistice last April but then things went from bad to worse when Sncf bought into the capital of the new private train service (NTV) which will be run by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo (he was or is head of Confindustria)
I knew it couldnt just be the simple explanation that my station gave me .....that italian trains dont run well on french tracks

The French railways are swines! We used the riviera service a few years ago, going was fine apart from crossing into France when the train was delayed for 30mins at the border. Coming back the frogs cancelled their part of the journey and we had to get change over the border in Italy onto the riviera service!! Never found out why..so annoying as it meant we had 3 changes instead of two.

Does motorail still run via Germany to Calais? Or are you heading to Guernsey? You might just have to fly...

Yes am heading for Guernsey
The probability of me flying is about as strong as Italy being readmitted to the World Cup

How annoying! I only discovered that service in April when the volcano stopped me from flying home- I've been telling everyone what a good option it is! Hope you make it back

Thanks

I was about to appeal to you all - has anyone got any other suggestions - I've been trying to look into coaches or alternatives but I just cant find anything on the internet. Would it be better to get a lift over the border and just take a chance ? (I can see me stood at the other end of the Frejus with a piece of cardboard saying Paris )
I'm just in a state of disbelief that one of what must be the busiest train lines (Milan - Paris) is at risk because of unsolved issues.
Someone also mentioned a good point (can remember where) that now we are so close to July - of course none of the discounts are applicable - should they decide to open the sales at the last minute. So the Moove tickets at 45€, the go tickets at 60€ and the best 'smart' tickets at 30€ are ALL not applicable. Surely this is breaking some EU law ???
Any suggestions very welcome.

ps: am rather stressed and just ate my LAST crunchie to compensate

Can't you book sncf tickets online? Then if you got a lift over the border it wouldn't be a risk??

Just can't see how these trains can suddenly stop in July. They been running since the last war! A right mess. The ads for the German/Austrian trains they put up round Verona have vanished.

Mel's got crunchies,

I know what you mean - it seems unbelievable that now in 2010 they might stop ! I cant get my head round it

OOooh - lucky Mel. I remember a friend of mine once said that a bag of mini crunchies was better than..............

In a way you're right Testa - but remember the farce last year of trying to book on the sncf site - its not that straightforward - but I might have to give it a go. Either that or buy a dinghy and row from Genova

Bloody hell!!! so sorry to read this Patty and not sure what to suggest.. can I not just go tell the vet I've got a horse that needs tranqs and give you one of those before we pop you on the flight! I just dunno what else!!

Now THAT sounds like a good idea Indie

is it possible to get a train to Switzerland and then a train from there to Paris or wherever you need to be?? I dunno how costly it would be but that might be your only option or a boat from Genova to France and then a train but you'd have to book via SNCF too.... or could you not just chance the trains???