A new player is set to shake up the high-speed train market. The private company Velvet has obtained its railway license, issued by the Ministry of Transport—an essential first step before launching its trains. Its goal is crystal clear: to connect Bordeaux and Paris starting in 2028 and offer an alternative to SNCF.
10 million additional seats per year
Founded by Rachel Picard, former SNCF executive and creator of the Ouigo offering, Velvet aims to address a simple fact: according to the company, 15% of travelers today give up on taking the train due to lack of available seats.
To address this, the company plans to add 10 million seats per year on the routes it will operate. The goal is to make it easier for travelers to find a ticket, including as departure approaches, while keeping affordable prices for longer.
An offer that isn't meant to be low cost
Velvet does insist on one point, however: this will not be a low cost offering.
The company is betting instead on high-capacity trains and a refined travel experience, with next-generation Avelia Horizon trains, built by Alstom. The interior has been designed to offer greater comfort and cater equally to business travelers, remote workers, and weekend getaway enthusiasts.
Bordeaux among the first lines affected
From its launch, Velvet plans to operate 3 high-speed lines: Paris-Bordeaux, Paris-Angers-Nantes and Paris-Rennes. The company has already raised 1 billion euros, of which 850 million is dedicated to purchasing 12 new trains from Alstom. Their maintenance will be handled in a workshop currently under construction near Bordeaux.
Before carrying its first passengers, Velvet will still need to obtain its safety certificate and reserve its operating slots from SNCF Network. If these final authorizations are granted,the new company hopes to run its first trains starting in 2028