About us — LE TRAIN | France's first private high-speed rail company

Our mission

Connecting France's major cities, differently

Today in France, only 13% of the population has access to high-speed rail. These are essentially passengers traveling to or from Paris. Everyone else? They drive, or don't travel at all.

LE TRAIN is changing the game. We are building a complete rail company: high-speed between major cities, and services as close as possible to the regions. Faster journeys, fair prices, and service designed for passengers.

Founded in 2020 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, LE TRAIN is France's first private high-speed rail company. Our calling: to offer a real alternative where none exists.

Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station, LE TRAIN's departure point

What guides us

Our values

Passengers first

Every decision is made from the passenger's perspective. Schedules adapted to real life, transparent pricing, staff on board on every train. No surprises, no small print.

Green by design

Rail is 50 times less polluting than flying and 8 times less than driving. By connecting cities directly to each other, we offer a concrete alternative to cars for millions of journeys.

Rooted in the regions

LE TRAIN was born in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Our maintenance center is in the Grand Ouest. We hire locally and invest in the regions we serve.

Our services

Three activities, one standard

High-speed

Connecting major cities to each other

The largest regional cities — Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse, Lyon, Marseille — are home to tens of millions of people. Yet many of them are not directly connected by rail.

LE TRAIN starts with the Atlantic coast, with Bordeaux — Nantes and Bordeaux — Rennes. Fast trains, without going through Paris, with attentive service and affordable prices. The ambition is clear: to progressively connect France's major regional cities to each other.

Bordeaux — Nantes Bordeaux — Rennes

High-speed

More trains to Paris

On certain major routes, demand exceeds supply. Trains are full, passengers struggle to find seats at convenient times, and prices soar during peak periods.

LE TRAIN offers additional capacity on these routes. More trains, more seats, additional schedules. More supply for passengers means more mobility for everyone.

Rennes — Paris New Bordeaux — Paris New

Everyday rail

Rail for everyone, everywhere

Beyond high-speed, LE TRAIN is a candidate to operate everyday rail services. These trains connect medium-sized cities, employment centers, campuses — the fine network that brings regions to life.

Our commitment: to bring to these routes the same quality standards as high-speed service. Attentive welcome, reliable passenger information, clean and punctual trains. Everyday rail deserves as much attention as major lines.

Regional trains National routes

Our journey

Key milestones

2020

LE TRAIN is founded

Establishment of the company in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with the conviction that an alternative rail operator is needed in France.

2022

Railway undertaking licence granted

LE TRAIN is granted its railway undertaking licence, the essential regulatory step to operate passenger services on the French national rail network.

2023

Financing by leading stakeholders

Major French banks and leading institutional investors commit alongside LE TRAIN. A strong signal: stakeholders believe in the return of direct rail between major cities.

2023

Industrial agreement with Talgo

Signature of a major industrial agreement with Talgo, Europe's leading train manufacturer: supply of next-generation high-speed trains, maintenance, technical support. A comprehensive partnership to operate modern, low-floor trains designed for passenger comfort.

2024

Finalist in the 1st Intercités tender

LE TRAIN was selected among the finalists of the first Intercités competitive tender launched by the DGITM, for the Nantes–Bordeaux and Nantes–Lyon lines. A strong recognition of the company's credibility alongside established operators.

2026

Finalist in the TER Poitou-Charentes tender

LE TRAIN was shortlisted for the TER Poitou-Charentes competitive tender, confirming its ability to operate regional rail services in addition to high-speed routes.