Latest news with #SNCF
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Travelling to Europe this summer? Planned strikes may cause disruption
Transport workers in France, Italy, and the UK are planning industrial action in the coming weeks, potentially disrupting summer travel. In France, SNCF train drivers will strike on June 4, followed by a national strike involving rail staff on June 5 and train controllers on June 11, likely causing cancellations and disruptions to rail services. Italy faces numerous localised transport strikes throughout June and July, affecting public transport in cities like Genoa, Sardinia, Florence, Bolzano, La Spezia, Naples, and Milan, as well as airport staff in Venice and Milan. In the UK, Glasgow and Edinburgh airport staff are threatening strikes over a rejected pay offer, while London Heathrow's Wilson James workers are already striking over pay, and CrossCountry train workers will begin an overtime ban on June 9. Passengers affected by flight cancellations due to strikes are entitled to alternative transportation and accommodation, but rail and ferry passengers have fewer rights.
LeMonde
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- LeMonde
In Paris, a Nazi locomotive is hidden in the middle of artists' studios
Seventy-six metric tons and 22 meters long, a massive Nazi steam locomotive is hidden in the heart of Paris. The engine, the same model as those that pulled trains carrying deportees to death camps, has been locked away behind a small door since 1994, just a few hundred meters from the François-Mitterrand Library, in the middle of Les Frigos, artists' studios in the 13 th arrondissement of Paris. Much more than just a railway engine, it is both a piece of history and a work of art: a testament to the industrialization of death by the Third Reich and the creation of a painter, Jean-Michel Frouin, to whom we were led by a very devoted train enthusiast. Known as BB27000 on the social network X, Wilfried Demaret is the most influential railway worker in France, with some 100,000 followers who want to know everything about trains in general and the SNCF (France's national railway company) in particular. Drawing from his many anecdotes, he published a book, Plus belle la ligne! ("Line's Looking Good!"). He is a train driver for the SNCF, but not just any trains. He drives those that break down, need repairs, or must be transferred across France by unusual routes. He knows every locomotive, can instantly identify the equipment and where it was built, and has encyclopedic knowledge of the railways. But the Ty2 locomotive took him a long time to track down.
Local France
5 days ago
- Business
- Local France
French night trains break 1-million passenger barrier
'The lack of sleeping cars is preventing the creation of new national and international connections that could meet the high demand from passengers,' Réseau Action Climat said in a report published on Tuesday. But there's no denying the increasing popularity of overnight rail travel, just a decade after they all but disappeared from the timetables. Night trains in France carried one million passengers in 2024, the report found, a 26 percent jump on 2023, and more than double the number of passengers in 2019. This, the report says, is proof that night-trains can offer a viable travel solution, and one that is more environmentally friendly than flying or car use. Advertisement But the future of sleeper rail travel is hampered by the lack of trains, Réseau Action Climat – a federation of dozens of major environmental protection associations, including the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth – warned. French rail operator SNCF currently has 129 sleeper cars, while international operators are also moving into the French market to offer overnight connections to cities including Vienna. However this is not enough to meet passenger demand, the report warned, with the Paris-Toulouse and Paris-Nice routes often overbooked. The government, which has authority over Intercités night services, launched a call for tenders in January 2025 for the purchase of 180 cars to be delivered before 2030. Réseau Action Climat recommends 'activating an optional clause in this call for tenders' to allow for the order of 340 cars in total. Réseau Action Climat goes further, and recommends a fleet of 600 sleeper cars by 2035 able to carry up to 5.7 million passengers annually. The 'network effect' would reduce the cost per passenger and improve the viability of overnight rail travel, which SNCF currently operates at a loss. According to the report, 'increasing the number of night trains in circulation allows for considerable economies of scale [with] shared maintenance, optimised connections, and better knowledge of the service by users...' Increasing the number of routes, as well as services will also improve take-up, the report said. Currently all night trains operating in France set off or arrive in Paris; there are no direct sleeper trains between Marseille-Nantes, Bordeaux-Lyon and Lille-Nice routes, the report notes, which encourages travellers 'to fly, or make costly connections'. It also recommends cross-border overnight services between Paris-Madrid, Paris-Barcelona, Paris-Milan, Paris-Rome, Nice-London, and Paris-Venice. Advertisement A Zurich-Barcelona route, via Lyon, which had been set to start in December 2024 by Austrian railways (ÖBB), has been postponed indefinitely. Private operator European Sleeper is reportedly considering a connection to Barcelona from Brussels, but no launch date has been set due to technical and administrative constraints. 'Over the past two years, one in six night trains [has been] cancelled due to night-time track work. On some routes, such as Paris-Briançon and Paris-Tarbes, this figure rises to one in three,' the report points out. This, it said, means passengers are opting for other modes of transport, taking replacement buses, or giving up their journey. To avoid undermining the appeal of night services, Réseau Action Climat suggests alternative routes, carrying out work on a single track, or even reducing the hours during which work is carried out to allow trains to pass.
Local France
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
Second homes, citizenship and fake news: 6 essential articles for life in France
We're running a special series on the pros and cons of buying property in France. We've looked at Brittany and Normandy ; the south-west ; the French Riviera and Provence ; and the Paris region – but here, we've asked property experts for their tips on where you should buy. Ask the experts: Where's the best place in France to buy a second home? French interior minister – and new, shiny, hard-talking leader of Les Républicains Bruno Retailleau has unveiled what he describes as a 'toughened up' regime for foreigners to acquire French citizenship – including the possible addition of a French history and civics test. Here's what we know so far about the changes. Explained: France's 'tougher' citizenship conditions (including history test) Did you know that if you take your annual holiday by train, the French train operator SNCF might give you a discount? Here's how the billet congé annuel works. How to get a discount on your French holiday train tickets It's the call that no-one wants to get from the garage – telling you that your car is only good for scrap. But how do you go about the process of scrapping a vehicle in France? Explained: How to scrap a car in France Something else – and more serious – that no one really wants to consider, but if you suffer an accident or long-term illness that means you cannot work, it's reassuring to know that assistance is available in France, even if you are not French. Advertisement The sickness and disability benefits that foreigners in France are eligible for France's cyber security agency has recently published a report warning about Russian-circulated fake news stories about the country – but versions of these 'alternative facts' often make it into respectable foreign news outlets. We look at some recent high profile stories where a Russian influence has been alleged. Can you spot the 'fake news' about France?
Local France
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
Everything that changes in France in June 2025
Strike threats CGT-Chéminots, the largest trade union representing workers at France's national rail service SNCF, has called for more strike action on June 4th, 5th and 11th. READ ALSO French rail union calls for more strike action in June It's not clear at this stage exactly how disruptive this will be - previous strike action around the May 8th holiday weekend saw roughly 90 percent of train services running as normal - but you can find the latest details in our strike section here . Dreyfus Parliament will debate a proposal to posthumously promote Alfred Dreyfus to the rank of Brigadier General. READ ALSO French lawmakers want Dreyfus promoted 130 years after scandal Pride month The month of June marks Pride Month for members of the LGBTQI+ community. Pride parades (or marches des fiertés in French) are set to happen across France. Paris' Pride parade - on Saturday, June 28th - is the largest, attracting thousands of participants and spectators. Advertisement Anjou Festival The second-biggest outdoor theatre event in France kicks off on June 3rd and runs to June 28th. Details of the full programme of dramatic events are here . Summer is a good time for festivals in France, here's our pick of 29 of the best festivals in summer 2025 Nuit Blanche On June 7th, Paris will celebrate its annual Nuit Blanche, when venues across the capital stay open all night and free indoor and outdoor cultural events across the city. D-Day June 6th marks the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Throughout the month, there will be several events to commemorate the event, in addition to official ceremonies on the day. Tennis The finals of the Roland-Garros tournament take place on June 7th and 8th. Tax declaration deadlines Inhabitants of the French départements numbering 60-96, as well as the overseas territories, must turn in their French tax declarations by 11.59pm on June 5th. Residents of all other départements, as well as those who live outside France but have French income, should have submitted their declarations in May. READ ALSO French 2025 tax deadlines Property tax declaration If you've moved house in France or otherwise changed your status in the past year you may have complete another tax form - the déclaration d'occupation - and it must be submitted by June 30th (by 11.59pm if you're using the online system). READ ALSO Who is exempt from the 2025 French property tax declaration? Public holiday Monday, June 9th, is Pentecost, a public holiday for many – but not all – people in France. So, expect shops and public transport to operate different hours, and also – perhaps – a rush of traffic to and from holiday sites over the long weekend. READ ALSO Why do many in France work for free on Pentecost public holiday? Advertisement Petrolheads assemble The endurance-focused 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race will be held on June 14th to 15th this year near the medieval town of Le Mans. Father's Day Father's Day is on Sunday, June 15th this year. Bordeaux wine festival Bordeaux is a name synonymous with wine – and the city holds its annual four-day festival celebrating all things grape-related from June 19th to 22nd this year. Along the quays of the Garonne, winegrowers and merchants welcome visitors to various pavilions for tasting stops taking in the gamut of white, red, rosé, claret and crémant… from the wines of Médoc, via Bordeaux whites, the various Côtes, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and more. Advertisement Fête de la Musique Every summer solstice, France rings to the sound of the Fête de la Musique, in which towns and cities across the country enjoy a day of concerts, music events and street musicians. This takes place every year on June 21st, which this year is a Saturday. Olympic balloon After being a huge hit during the 2024 summer Olympic Games in Paris, the innovative cauldron, which carried the Olympic and Paralympic flames, will return to France's capital each summer. This year, its arrival coincides with the Fête de la Musique on June 21st. READ ALSO Olympic hot-air balloon set to return to Paris this summer Festival de Nîmes The Festival de Nîmes – which starts on June 22nd and runs to July 25th – brings modern music to the famous Roman Arena. This year's line-up includes Korn, London Grammar, Gims, Santana, and Scorpions. Find out more, here . Summer sales For the majority of the country, the summer sales (soldes d'été) will start on Wednesday, June 25th and will run until Tuesday, July 22nd. If you're in Corsica, you'll have to wait until July 9th for the sales to kick off. Exam time Pupils in troisième class at collèges in France will sit their brevet exams on June 26th and 27th this year. Those studying towards their baccalaureate face exams on June 13th (French), 16th (philosophy), 17th and 18th (speciality subjects), with the Grand Oral period starting on June 23rd and running to July 2nd. Flights BA will operate a new service London Stansted and Bergerac Dordogne Périgord airport. The service will begin on June 28th, 2025 and it will run on Saturdays. It's not the only new flight route due to start in June. READ ALSO New flights to and from France in 2025
