Ouigo will begin a new TGV train service between Paris and southern France on Monday (March 27).
The low-cost operator will run a daily, direct train in each direction between the French capital and Perpignan.
The train, which takes around 5 hours, will stop at several other stations en route, including Narbonne, Sète and Nîmes.
Service will compete with TGV
Paris and Perpignan already has a direct TGV service, which runs four trains per day in each direction.
But the introduction of Ouigo and its lower ticket prices will be a boost for cost-conscious travellers.
The Ouigo service will initially open with two services per day, one in each direction:
- Perpignan – Paris (Gare de Lyon): Departs at 15:04 and arrives at 20:22.
- Paris (Gare de Lyon) – Perpignan: Departs at 08:23 and arrives at 13:24
Both the TGV and Ouigo services take around five hours.
The Ouigo train will also serve seven additional stops during the journey:
- Narbonne
- Béziers
- Agde
- Sète
- Montpellier
- Nîmes
- Valence TGV
Read more: Train tickets for the French summer season now on sale
Tickets from just €19
Tickets for the journey start at €19 for adults and €8 for children, however, prices this low are usually only available when bookings are made far in advance.
Realistically, ticket prices for the Ouigo service will cost around €20 - €80, depending on when you book your ticket, but prices will still be cheaper than for the TGV.
The cheaper tickets do come with a catch, however – Ouigo trains do not have a food/drinks bar (nor do they offer a refreshments cart), and you must pay extra for luggage, WiFI, plug sockets, and seat selection.
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