French Railways

If you are considering buying a French property, whether for investment, retirement, to relocate or for a holiday home, you will be interested to learn about the French rail network, which is well known for it's fast, efficient service, and is a huge asset to those living in or visiting France...

If you are considering buying a French property, whether for investment, retirement, to relocate or for a holiday home, you will be interested to learn about the French rail network, which is well known for it's fast, efficient service, and is a huge asset to those living in or visiting France.

Huge investment for further expansion to the existing high speed railway network in France continues to be approved by the authorities. The only other country that rivals France for its quality of service is Japan. France has been one of the frontrunners in the development of high speed passenger rail travel since the early 1960's. The services offered cover long distances at high speeds of up to almost 320 kms an hour.

Since the very first high speed line was constructed between Paris and Lyon in the south east of France in 1981, the TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) network has continued to expand into the UK, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy.

At the beginning of 1999, the go ahead was given for the most recent leg of the TGV Network - TGV Est European. By the end of next year (2007) there is scheduled to be a 320km line linking Paris to the east of France, to include important cities such as Chalons en Champagne and Metz. Currently, the fastest journey between Paris and these cities takes around five hours, but after completion of the first phase of this project, the journey time will be cut to just over two hours.

Despite the increase of easy travel between the UK and France provided by the ever increasing low cost airlines, the development of the TGV rail system will continue to flourish. Every TGV line so far has covered the not inconsiderable construction costs within a few years.

For those who are considering buying a home or investment property in the south west of France, the authorities are considering construction of a new line (Languedoc Roussillon) which would considerably extend the western reach of the rail network.

In the short term, they are considering Mediterranee beyond Nimes to serve Montpellier at first, but in the longer term, Perpignan and beyond, to hook up with the Spanish high speed network currently under construction. When this line is built, TGV's could link Paris with Barcelona in just over four hours. In order to provide extra capacity, it has been proposed that the Languedoc Rousillon line carry freight, which would be a first for TGV lines.

The French Government has stated that the extension of the line Atlantique south west from Tours to Bordeaux, will go ahead in two phases from 2008. A longer term plan is to extend the high speed network from Bordeaux to Toulouse.

Anyone buying a home or property in France can rest assured that the super efficient railway network will probably eventually be within easy reach of most parts of France, making it even easier to travel back home to keep in touch with friends and family, or keep an eye on business interests.