SNCF is studying the feasibility of a daily round trip between Lyon and Bordeaux. The idea isn’t new, but it’s being taken seriously again. According to La Nouvelle République, the railway company has launched new studies to connect these two major French cities with a direct high-speed line. The goal is to cover the 500 kilometers separating the capital of the Gauls from the Sleeping Beauty without going through Paris or losing a whole day.
A journey operated by Ouigo at an attractive price
It’s SNCF’s low-cost version, Ouigo, that is expected to operate this route. The journey, lasting about five hours, would serve several key stations: Massy TGV, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, and Poitiers. The departure would take place every morning from...
is Lyon, with a return trip from Bordeaux right afterward. An ambitious first phase designed to attract up to one million passengers per year, before considering a second daily round trip if demand follows.This new line could become a strong link in the ecological transition. At a time when domestic flights are increasingly under scrutiny, this connection would provide a quick, affordable, and low-carbon alternative to connect two major economic hubs. It’s sure to attract both professionals and weekend travelers, while also easing congestion on crowded roadways.
A TGV to bring major provincial cities closer together
This project is part of a broader initiative to connect metropolitan areas without going through Paris. After the success of the direct Lyon–Rennes and Marseille–Nantes lines, this future connection...on-Bordeaux by TGV could very well reshape the travel landscape in France. So, just a little more patience: if everything goes as planned, the first train could whistle out of the station as early as 2027. In the meantime, we keep dreaming of an express journey between traboules and vineyards.