I am trying to book train tickets Bordeaux to CDG, but my 1st option is arrive 12 hours before flight or 45mins before check in deadline, only two trains a day? 2nd option is so expensive!
What happened to French train travel, so few options these days 
These days unable to kill time strolling Paris and last time we waited about 20 mins for the lift! But had plenty of time.
Have I missed something? I have checked and rechecked the sites. Any help gratefully received.
A chance it won’t cost any more if you split the ticket. Paris is the obvious place but other stops may work. Work backwards fron what goes to CDG first, then fill in the other leg. Leave time for late arrival but you shouldn’t need anything like 12 hours.
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It’s a faff but you could take the train to Paris Montparnasse, then 3 stops on metro 6 to Denfert-Rochereau where you can pick up RER B to CDG.
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That’s what I would do.
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That’s what I always do (and I’ve done it a fair few times now).
It’s also mostly what I do when going to the office in Aubervilliers too - except I can take Ligne 12 all the way from Montparnasse.
Can’t actually think of a time when I’ve not gone from Bordeaux Saint Jean to Montparnasse on the TGV.
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I’ve noticed on the SNCF website or app, if you put in A to B wherever you’re going, it often doesn’t give you all the options. As others have said, split up the journey and connect it together yourself. I had a bizarre example of this where my journey was two trains, the first for just one stop and the other about 3.5 hours. It said there were only two possible options for my day of travel. Splitting it in two revealed several more options. It also worked out much cheaper.
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Thanks for your suggestions, I did look at this option, but is there any reason/obstacles that would be difficult for an 85yr old?
You would need to walk between Gare Montparnasse (for the TGV) and Montparnasse Bienvenue (for the metro). It’s not particularly far, maybe about 500M, and you’d have to either navigate (if I remember correctly, 2 sets of) stairs or find the ascenseur. Gare Montparnasse is a very busy station as well, so bear that in mind.
There’s also a short walk required when you arrive at Denfert Rochereau to get from the Metro station to the gare. I honestly can’t remember if it involves navigating any stairs though.
I guess it depends how comfortable you are navigating the Metro really.
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There are various options on rome2rio.fr , worth checking.
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Mum.did CDG Angouleme direct once I thought she had quite a few choices but perhaps they’ve decreased them.
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We used to use that option in the past, but these days it’s too difficult with suitcases and no lift!
Link ok if you want to buy domain.
https://www.rome2rio.com/fr/
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My old mum finds Paris way too exhausting now. Especially anything involving the metro. I suggest you bite the bullet and take a taxi or an Uber from Montparnasse to CDG. I did this the last time Mum (82 with a slight heart problem) came to Paris and obviously it worked out quite expensive but made for a much more enjoyable visit.
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That’s actually not a bad idea and the taxi price to CDG from rive gauche is fixed at €65.
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I had considered this, but the thought of being stuck in a traffic jam 
I presume this is a busy route, do taxi/buses have dedicated lanes?
Just looked at return trip and can get direct train from CDG to Bordeaux for 50 euros, doesn’t make sense 
Are you looking this up on the SNCF website or app ? It makes some really bizarre decisions sometimes.
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There are at least options but I think you need to decide which is the most important factor for you: cost or convenience.
Convenient:
TGV from Bordeaux to Montparnasse (2 hrs)
Taxi / Uber direct from Montparnasse to CDG (60 mins ish)
Cheap:
TGV from Bordeaux to CDG plus lengthy wait
or
TGV from Bordeaux to Montparnasse
Metro from Montparnasse to CDG via Denfert
Travel isn’t cheap unfortunately. Could be worse, though, you could be paying for airport parking instead of a taxi from the station.
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As long as you leave yourself plenty of time, you’ll be fine. I’ve used taxis and Uber many times in Paris going to and from CDG and it’s always been a very smooth and comfortable experience. The taxi drivers are usually good fun, too.
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There’s always the Moto taxi if you’re feeling brave 