SNCF Voyageurs has officially announced a connection between Lyon and Bordeaux that completely overlooks Auvergne and the Massif Central. Presented as part of the development of Ouigo lines, the project, confirmed on Thursday, November 27th, follows the revelation made by La Nouvelle République earlier this month. And unsurprisingly, the controversy is reinvigorated: a major east-west route that circumvents half the country is bound to cause some discord.
The decision to route through the Paris region has sparked outrage among elected officials and commuters from central France. Instead of connecting Lyon directly to Bordeaux by crossing under-served regions, SNCF favors a route through Massy TGV, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, Poitiers, and Angoulême. It’s a geographical loop that carefully avoids Auvergne, which is already familiar with canceled lines, chronic delays, and late investments.
A Lyon-Bordeaux trip in just 5 hours starting in 2027!
The new connection promises a travel time of just 5 hours with a daily round trip. As early as mid-2027, Ouigo will offer services connecting the two cities with an affordable option designed to attract a large audience. However, the route raises questions: in its quest to optimize speed and profitability, SNCF continues to bypass entire regions, much to the dismay of their residents...
Source: L'Echo Touristique