North-east France: works to disrupt cross-border trains<\/p>\n
Major works around Metz, Thionville and the Luxembourg border are set to continue until well into the year, affecting evening and late-night services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Repairs to bridges and tracks, plus the extension of centralised signalling, mean some trains will be cut between 21:30 and 5:30 in July and August. Luxembourg\u2019s operator will also run weekend and evening works.\u00a0<\/p>\n
TGV Atlantique to add more seats<\/p>\n
SNCF will increase capacity on the TGV Atlantique line by deploying more double-decker Oc\u00e9ane trains. The operator has plans for an extra 600,000 seats in 2026, after 300,000 were added in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The upgrade aims to ease overcrowding on routes serving Nantes, La Baule, Saint-Nazaire (all in Loire-Atlantique) and Les Sables-d\u2019Olonne (Vend\u00e9e). New fencing between Le Mans (Sarthe) and Nantes is also planned to improve punctuality.<\/p>\n
Paris-Berlin night train returns in March\u00a0<\/p>\n
Belgian-Dutch operator European Sleeper will relaunch the Paris-Berlin night train from March 26, operating three times weekly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trains are expected to stop in Aulnoye or Douai (Nord), then Brussels and Hamburg.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New hybrid mini-bus train<\/p>\n
![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/760094.webp.jpeg\" "\\"SNCF\\"")
<\/p>\n
\n New mini-bus train to ride on track as well as road
\n SNCF\n <\/p>\n
Trials of a new mini-bus-sized train that can run on roads as well as rails are expected to start in Brittany and, if successful, could be used by 2027.<\/p>\n
New seat-numbering system for TGVs<\/p>\n
SNCF is rolling out a new three-digit seat-numbering system across TGV inOui and Lyria services, with the aim of reducing confusion and speeding up boarding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The first digit indicates the coach; the next two the seat. Ouigo and the upcoming TGV-M already use the system. Internal signage is also being redesigned to be clearer.<\/p>\n
Virgin eyes Eurostar competition\u00a0<\/p>\n
Plans will progress this year towards new Channel Tunnel train services, as the Virgin Group seeks \u00a3700m (\u20ac830m) to develop a rival service to Eurostar<\/a>, with routes between London, Paris and Brussels, and later Amsterdam.\u00a0<\/p>\n The launch is targeted for 2029 if funding is secured. Other operators, including Evolyn, are also exploring cross-Channel services. Getlink has simplified Tunnel rules and offers a \u20ac50m subsidy to encourage competition.<\/p>\n Eurostar, meanwhile, says that this year it will \u2018review\u2019 the possibility of reopening its Kent stations at Ashford and Ebbsfleet, closed since 2020.<\/p>\n Ouigo to expand network<\/p>\n SNCF\u2019s low-cost brand Ouigo plans new routes to Lille and aims to strengthen services around Lyon, Strasbourg and Occitanie. A third daily Paris-Rennes return is under consideration.\u00a0<\/p>\n By 2027, Ouigo intends to serve 75 destinations, with more trains, more seats (653 per train) and upgraded interiors, including extra luggage space, power sockets and a family\/relaxation area.<\/p>\n Boost to trains in Brittany<\/p>\n The south of Brittany will have 21 more trains running by the start of 2026 thanks to an express service agreement to link Quimper (Finist\u00e8re) in the south-east and Vannes (Morbihan) in the south-west.<\/p>\n International rail competition rising<\/p>\n Two operators have confirmed their intentions to launch new international rail lines this year, though timetables are not yet published. Evolyn plans Paris-London and Paris-Brussels routes; Iryo (Spain) is preparing for various France-Spain routes by the end of the year.<\/p>\n FlightsIncreased long-haul capacity at Paris-Orly from 2026<\/p>\n Air France has confirmed it will deploy additional long-haul aircraft at Paris-Orly from this summer as part of its network restructuring. Destinations are expected to include North America and the Caribbean, but final route announcements have not yet been made.<\/p>\n Air passenger disputes<\/p>\n EU legislators are expected this year to finally agree a revamp of EU compensation rules for delayed and cancelled flights and other air-travel rules. Among the aims are increased compensation for delays and a ban on extra fees for cabin bags.\u00a0<\/p>\n The changes coincide with a French decree set to come into force relating to procedures for passenger-airline disputes.<\/p>\n From February 7, mediation via the M\u00e9diateur Tourisme et Voyage will be compulsory before taking a case to court. Claims must then be made by assignation (a summons issued to the airline, eg. by a huissier), with joint filings allowed for family groups.<\/p>\n EasyJet adds three France-UK routes<\/p>\n EasyJet will launch three new seasonal links in spring\/summer: Paris CDG-London Stansted (from March 5), Montpellier-Manchester (March 30) and Nice-Birmingham (May 1).\u00a0<\/p>\n All operate twice weekly, mostly Mondays and Fridays, until October. The Paris-Stansted and Montpellier-Manchester routes are exclusive. Fares start at around \u20ac40-\u20ac100 one-way.<\/p>\n The airline has also announced plans to \u201cconsolidate\u201d its presence in Bordeaux in the summer, following the 2024 closure of the Toulouse hub. Details are yet to be confirmed.\u00a0<\/p>\n