In , the first commercial railway line opened in France, connecting the city of Saint-Etienne with the port of Andreu. In , the French State Railway SNCF was created, which brought together private companies and became the main operator of railway transport in the country. Over time, SNCF expanded and modernised its network, built new lines and offered improved passenger services. SNCF carried approximately million passengers in There are 29 kilometres of railway lines in France.
The railway stations in France are used by 10 million passengers every day. There are frequent train services to all neighbouring countries including the Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg. There are also direct trains to Netherlands, Great Britain, and Austria. The journey from Calais to Marseille takes hours and from Nantes to Nancy hours.
OUIGO offers just six routes and is known as a low-cost alternative to high-speed trains in the country. TGV also offers only a few routes, although it plans to expand its high-speed train network in the future. On the other hand, six railroad companies in France offer international routes. High-speed trains operated by Eurostar run from France to London, as well as to Amsterdam and Brussels. Finally, Eurocity provides slower trains that connect France with major European cities.
France offers a variety of train types to cater to different travel needs. Some of the train types available in France include:. They offer both daytime and overnight services. They are a convenient mode of transportation for local travel.
It offers affordable fares but with some limitations, such as operating from specific stations and having fewer onboard amenities. They offer services between cities like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne. TGV trains are renowned for their speed, efficiency and comfort.
