Renfe, the Spanish railway operator, is taking a historic step in its international expansion plan with its high-speed train service to France.
Following the break-up of the joint venture with SNCF, the French state-owned operator, Renfe has announced the start date of its solo services, connecting Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Marseille with French destinations such as Lyon and Montpellier.
July 13, 2023 will mark the start of the Barcelona-Lyon route, which will offer a high-speed experience between the two cities.
This route will also include stops in Girona and Figueres, giving passengers more options to connect to French and Spanish destinations.
The commercial operation of trains between Marseille, Barcelona and Madrid will begin on July 28, thus restoring the two previously established connections.
These new services represent a total of 9,700 weekly seats available for travel between Spain and France.
Ave: high-speed trains to France
Renfe’s debut in France will be accompanied by an attractive promotional offer to make itself known in the neighboring country.
Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, June 21.
Travelers will be able to enjoy special fares, such as routes from Madrid to Marseille for 29 euros, from Barcelona to Lyon for 19 euros, and even cheaper fares, starting at 9 euros, for those who wish to explore the French cities in between.
Raül Blanco, president of Renfe, expressed his enthusiasm for this new milestone in the company’s history, highlighting the importance of the expansion into the French market.
For Renfe, France is a natural market and its intention is to become a reference operator in the neighboring country.
In addition, Blanco highlighted the historic aspect of this achievement, as it will be the first time that a Spanish train driver enters French territory on a commercial trip.
The next goal: trains to Paris
However, Renfe’s ambition does not stop there. The company aims to bring its trains to Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, which will be held in the French capital next summer.
The president of Renfe has expressed his desire to transport the Spanish athletes on a Renfe train, although he points out that some requirements still need to be met, such as obtaining the safety certificate to operate on the high-speed line that extends beyond Lyon.
This new phase for Renfe not only represents an opportunity for travelers wishing to explore the wonders of France, but can also boost tourism and strengthen ties between the two countries.
In addition, the opening of these routes is a step towards the recovery of night train travel to reestablish these services if their operation is subsidized.
