Night trains in France set to enjoy renaissance

Around 10 new national night train services have been promised by 2030, with ambitions to link Paris to other European capitals

Paris-Berlin connection is due to start in 2023

By 2030, around 10 new national night train services are hoped to be running through France, with some of these connections are already under way; a night train between Paris and Lourdes via Tarbes restarted in December following a five-year hiatus.

The service had been discontinued because it was unprofitable.

Meanwhile, Paris-Nice began again last May and the reborn night train linking Paris and Vienna had its maiden journey in December.

Prime Minister Jean Castex also recently announced the forthcoming relaunch of the Paris-Aurillac night train, while Paris-Berlin is due to start in 2023.

Transport Minister Jean- Baptiste Djebbari said: “I hope that we will have around 10 national night train lines by 2030.”

In order to achieve this, the government will need to source new railway carriages, and it has already given €100million to fund the renovation of old, unused cars.

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