jon, 
All right. Now we have the answer.
Austerlitz
Me: Why can I not book a ticket for Berlin on SNCF Connect?
SNCF employee: It’s not possible
Me: But why?
SNCF: “C’est la faute de l’Europe!” (It’s Europe’s fault)
Me: But why can DB sell me a SNCF ticket? SBB a Trenitalia ticket? The only one stopping is SNCF.
SNCF: You have to buy it on the site of DB then or Trainline
(My jaw dropped at that!)
Me: It’s not because SNCF is closing Résarail?
SNCF: It’s because of international agreements!