Latest news with #TGV-M
Local France
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Local France
La Belle Vie: Record-breaking French pastries and new French words to build your vocab
La Belle Vie is our regular look at the real culture of France – from language to cuisine, manners to films. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences in 'My account'. I love a good tarte aux fraises . Every time I walk into a boulangerie , I am tempted to buy one. Instead of a chocolate or vanilla birthday cake, I ask for strawberry each year. Still, I don't think I love strawberry cake as much as the French pastry chefs who just won a world record for the world's longest strawberry cake, at 121.8 metres and weighing in at 1.2 tonnes. Advertisement This isn't the first time France has tried to win a baking-related world record. Last year, French boulangers attempted to make the world's longest baguette . It's fair to say that baking and pastry-making are not taken lightly here. 5 things to know about French pâtisserie I have heard some allegations recently about French bread getting worse, as more bakeries turn to pre-made, frozen treats. To my American sensibilities, I am still continuously impressed by the quality at French bakeries, as well as their general availability. In our neighbourhood, we have five within a five minute walk, though to be fair we have picked our top two for bread and our top two for pastries. 'Tastes like straw' - Are French bread and croissants really getting worse? If you visit your French boulangerie next week, you might find that on Thursday the bakery is closed. May 1st is a public holiday in France. This year there is a greater chance of bakeries taking the day off after many got in trouble last year for failing to pay their workers the mandatory double rate. As for May Day generally, it's an interesting holiday in France. It really captures something unique about the French spirit (and love for protesting), but its origins are actually on the other side of the Atlantic. What May Day really means to the French The month of May also comes with two other public holidays this year, and while this might be exciting in terms of days off and trips away, it also means it is prime strike time for workers - this year rail unions have filed strike notices over the May holiday weekends. Advertisement French rail services are stepping things up in one area. Starting next year, the new TGV-M trains will hit the tracks, and they are set to include a special two-storey 'cathedral-style' buffet car, but in the meantime SNCF has unveiled a new 'bistro style' menu on on-train meals. SNCF unveils 'bistro dining' on French train services In other news, each year the French dictionary Le Petit Larousse unveils the new words it will add to its collection. This year, the dictionary announced 150 new words would make their way into the book. We got a sneak peak at some of them, and they really showcase the ever-evolving nature of the French language, from the influence of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games to the constant presence of technology in our day-to-day lives. TEST: Guess the 15 new words added to French dictionary And I couldn't help but notice that several of these new words were 'masculine' nouns (meaning you'd add the le or un in front), for example, the increasingly popular tennis-like sport padel is le padel, not la padel. It can feel like a mystery which words end up as masculine or feminine, but once they become official enough to pass by the desk of the 'immortals' in France's Académie Française, we mere mortals receive a firm answer. Who decides if new French words are masculine or feminine?
Local France
23-04-2025
- Local France
SNCF unveils 'bistro dining' on French train services
Rail travellers in France have to wait until 2026 for the new-look TGV-M trains to hit the tracks, with their two-storey 'cathedral-style' buffet car. But, while the 28-seat dining area in the shiny new high-speed trains isn't on the cards this year, SNCF has this spring relaunched its on-board menu with more of a focus on French 'bistro' classic dishes. Menus change seasonally, though the famous croque monsieur will be a common staple, as will the French classic Quiche Lorraine. The Spring 2025 menu card features Toulouse sausages and pomme purée (mashed potato), Crozets reblochon AOP and jambon d'Auch (baked reblochon cheese with ham); pasta with sun-ripened vegetables and risotto with asparagus and peas. Advertisement Desserts include chocolate fondant, fruit purée, cake or yoghurt. At €15.90 for a main course, dessert and a drink combination, it's not cheap – let's be honest, train food generally isn't – but it is intended to be a step up from more common sandwiches and cans of fizzy beverages. Soft drinks are included in the menu price, while beer or wine costs extra. Burgers, sandwiches and other snacks and drinks are also available in the buffet cars, which are available only on the high-speed TGV services on the InOui trains. They are not available on the budget OuiGo routes, or on local TER trains. SNCF proudly points out that the regional food served on its trains – supplied by Toulouse-based catering giant Newrest – is made with ingredients from 'local, sustainable supply chains'.
Euronews
14-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
European destinations where your money will go the furthest
A new fleet of TGV trains is set to hit the rails in France and the first images of their stylish interiors have been released. The TGV INOUI (previously called TGV-M) series is the fifth generation of the trains produced for national rail operator SNCF by manufacturer Alstom, and they will begin carrying passengers at the start of 2026. They will start circulating on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille route - the busiest high-speed line in the country - before being phased in across the rest of the network. The redesign includes a two-storey bar, extra legroom and improved access for disabled passengers. The new trains will have an extra carriage increasing capacity by up to 20 per cent compared to the current models - or a maximum of 740 passengers per train. Access for disabled travellers has been improved thanks to a dedicated coach with wheelchair-friendly facilities like a lift between its two floors and 'service at-the-seat' catering. Passengers with a 5G-compatible mobile contract will benefit from improved connectivity and stronger WiFi. There will be fewer doors dividing carriages, making it easier for passengers to keep an eye on their suitcases on luggage racks while they travel. These new trains will also be 20 per cent more energy-efficient due to their aerodynamic design, which will result in CO2 savings of 50 per cent compared with single-deck high-speed trains, SNCF says. A bonus emissions saving for anyone looking to travel by high-speed rail to avoid a short haul flight. On top of their aerodynamic, emissions-cutting design, the new fleet is made from 25 per cent recycled materials which will be 97 per cent recyclable, according to SNCF, making it the high-speed train with the lowest carbon footprint on the market. The interiors are the result of a collaboration between designers from the French agency AREP and the Japanese agency Nendo. The concept of the project was 'flow', and the designers 'played with the idea of depth inside, with a strong horizon line running through all the elements and giving the impression of the surface of water.' The details of the seats and the striking yellow table lamps draw inspiration from the soft shapes of pebbles and objects polished by water. Standard class seats now have individual plug sockets (currently one is shared between two passengers), a mini table, and up to 5cm of extra legroom. Seats in first class are 5cm wider, allowing you to place small personal belongings beside you, and have wrap-around, height-adjustable headrests and electric seat recline. One of the most exciting developments is the major redesign of the fleet's bar carriage. Named Le Bistro, its lower floor is given over to self-service fridges, coffee machines and microwaves with payment via self-service terminals. The upper storey is designed as a 'convivial' space for sit-down dining with seats for up to 28 passengers. The menu will feature typical French bistro dishes. 65 per cent of suppliers are French and 100 per cent of the meat on the menu is of French origin. There will be three different seasonal menus during the year and each will include a 'dish of the month'. Most UK travellers are influenced by special offers and pricing when booking a holiday, according to a new report. Advertising platform Teads compiled data from multiple surveys of British holidaymakers and found that 80 per cent of respondents said deals and prices in travel adverts were their main inspiration when choosing where to go. The Teads Travel Compass report found that cost was similarly the primary factor for accommodation and flight choices for those surveyed, cited by 60 per cent and 54 per cent of respondents respectively. With money a major factor in many people's holiday booking choices, where in Europe will your budget go furthest? Here are the best value destinations across the continent. The UK Post Office's annual money report for 2024 found that prices for meals, drinks and other tourist items have fallen in over 60 per cent of the resorts and cities surveyed compared to the previous year. Portugal's Algarve was the highest placed of 15 European destinations surveyed, holding on to fifth place with a 1.2 per cent drop in prices. In doing so, it has overtaken Turkey and Bulgaria, where price rises have seen Marmaris and Sunny Beach fall in the rankings. Out of all the destinations surveyed, the Algarve had the cheapest coffee at £0.88 (€1.05) and wine at £1.76 (€2.10). Items like suncream and insect repellent were on the costlier end compared to other places in the top five. Bulgaria's Sunny Beach made the seventh spot. Prices for beer, a bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi and a bottle of water are all relatively low. A three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine costs £39.31 (€46.90), which is the fourth cheapest in the top 10. However, make sure you buy suncream before you go because a last minute purchase while you're there will cost you £9.30 (€11.10), the second most expensive in the top 10. Coming in ninth place was Marmaris in Turkey. Despite the downward spiral of the Turkish lira, local prices in restaurants and bars have more than doubled as owners try to overcome the challenge of inflation. A three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine costs £48.89 (€58.30), the second highest in the top 10. On the other hand, supermarket purchases of suncream, insect repellent and a bottle of water won't break the bank. Solo travel has soared in popularity over the last decade, and it's continuing to be a building trend in 2025 as holidaymakers seek trips that aid self-reflection and individual well-being. The American Express 2024 Global Travel Trends Report found that 76 per cent of Millennials and Gen-Z planned on taking a solo trip in 2024. 66 per cent of respondents cited 'self-love and treating themselves' as reasons for going on a holiday alone. Airbnb's spring trends report for 2025 found a 90 per cent growth in solo travel searches, while Riviera Travel announced at a recent conference that solo travellers are one of the fastest-growing demographics booking river cruises. But despite being an increasingly important group within the tourism industry, solo travellers still have to contend with challenges like package holiday supplements and safety concerns. Here's how you can avoid extra charges for travelling alone and the top destinations for 2025. While package holidays are often advertised on a 'price per person' basis, these deals are usually calculated based on a minimum of two people per booking. Solo travellers can find themselves paying over €2,000 more for their holiday package - often dubbed the 'singles tax'. Experts from holiday booking group Travel Republic recommend searching specifically for single traveller deals through their site. Other travel agents have also begun advertising trips for single adventurers, including TUI, Intrepid and Jet2holidays. Riviera Travel offers dedicated solo trips on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhone and Douro, which do not carry a supplement. Travel Republic also advises holidaymakers to read reviews and research a destination's 'solo travel friendliness'. To narrow down your choice of destination, luxury private guided travel firm Kensington released a report earlier this year on the best solo travel spots in 2025. Among more common destinations for those travelling on their own like Thailand and Australia, four European countries made the top 10. Second place in the ranking went to Italy for its cultural riches and culinary prowess. 'Travelling solo here isn't lonely - it's liberating,' the company writes. 'Every museum, piazza, and trattoria offers a reason to explore deeper.' Spain came in seventh spot, described as 'the solo traveller's playground'. 'Travelling Spain means living like a local - late-night dinners, street festivals, and endless sangria,' Kensignton writes. 'Tourism in Spain blends history with celebration, making it a top destination for solo explorers in 2025.' Iceland, making number eight, 'is a dream destination for solo travellers who love raw nature and mystical landscapes' and 'the go-to solo destination for photographers and fearless explorers.' France comes in ninth place, with solo travellers enjoying Bordeaux's wine trails, river cruises in the Loire Valley or skiing in the Alps.
Euronews
13-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Take a look inside France's newly designed TGV trains
A new fleet of TGV trains is set to hit the rails in France and the first images of their stylish interiors have been released. The TGV INOUI (previously called TGV-M) series is the fifth generation of the trains produced for national rail operator SNCF by manufacturer Alstom, and they will begin carrying passengers at the start of 2026. They will start circulating on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille route - the busiest high-speed line in the country - before being phased in across the rest of the network. The redesign includes a two-storey bar, extra legroom and improved access for disabled passengers. The new trains will have an extra carriage increasing capacity by up to 20 per cent compared to the current models - or a maximum of 740 passengers per train. Access for disabled travellers has been improved thanks to a dedicated coach with wheelchair-friendly facilities like a lift between its two floors and 'service at-the-seat' catering. Passengers with a 5G-compatible mobile contract will benefit from improved connectivity and stronger WiFi. There will be fewer doors dividing carriages, making it easier for passengers to keep an eye on their suitcases on luggage racks while they travel. These new trains will also be 20 per cent more energy-efficient due to their aerodynamic design, which will result in CO2 savings of 50 per cent compared with single-deck high-speed trains, SNCF says. A bonus emissions saving for anyone looking to travel by high-speed rail to avoid a short haul flight. On top of their aerodynamic, emissions-cutting design, the new fleet is made from 25 per cent recycled materials which will be 97 per cent recyclable, according to SNCF, making it the high-speed train with the lowest carbon footprint on the market. The interiors are the result of a collaboration between designers from the French agency AREP and the Japanese agency Nendo. The concept of the project was 'flow', and the designers 'played with the idea of depth inside, with a strong horizon line running through all the elements and giving the impression of the surface of water.' The details of the seats and the striking yellow table lamps draw inspiration from the soft shapes of pebbles and objects polished by water. Standard class seats now have individual plug sockets (currently one is shared between two passengers), a mini table, and up to 5cm of extra legroom. Seats in first class are 5cm wider, allowing you to place small personal belongings beside you, and have wrap-around, height-adjustable headrests and electric seat recline. One of the most exciting developments is the major redesign of the fleet's bar carriage. Named Le Bistro, its lower floor is given over to self-service fridges, coffee machines and microwaves with payment via self-service terminals. The upper storey is designed as a 'convivial' space for sit-down dining with seats for up to 28 passengers. The menu will feature typical French bistro dishes. 65 per cent of suppliers are French and 100 per cent of the meat on the menu is of French origin. There will be three different seasonal menus during the year and each will include a 'dish of the month'. Most UK travellers are influenced by special offers and pricing when booking a holiday, according to a new report. Advertising platform Teads compiled data from multiple surveys of British holidaymakers and found that 80 per cent of respondents said deals and prices in travel adverts were their main inspiration when choosing where to go. The Teads Travel Compass report found that cost was similarly the primary factor for accommodation and flight choices for those surveyed, cited by 60 per cent and 54 per cent of respondents respectively. With money a major factor in many people's holiday booking choices, where in Europe will your budget go furthest? Here are the best value destinations across the continent. The UK Post Office's annual money report for 2024 found that prices for meals, drinks and other tourist items have fallen in over 60 per cent of the resorts and cities surveyed compared to the previous year. Portugal's Algarve was the highest placed of 15 European destinations surveyed, holding on to fifth place with a 1.2 per cent drop in prices. In doing so, it has overtaken Turkey and Bulgaria, where price rises have seen Marmaris and Sunny Beach fall in the rankings. Out of all the destinations surveyed, the Algarve had the cheapest coffee at £0.88 (€1.05) and wine at £1.76 (€2.10). Items like suncream and insect repellent were on the costlier end compared to other places in the top five. Bulgaria's Sunny Beach made the seventh spot. Prices for beer, a bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi and a bottle of water are all relatively low. A three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine costs £39.31 (€46.90), which is the fourth cheapest in the top 10. However, make sure you buy suncream before you go because a last minute purchase while you're there will cost you £9.30 (€11.10), the second most expensive in the top 10. Coming in ninth place was Marmaris in Turkey. Despite the downward spiral of the Turkish lira, local prices in restaurants and bars have more than doubled as owners try to overcome the challenge of inflation. A three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine costs £48.89 (€58.30), the second highest in the top 10. On the other hand, supermarket purchases of suncream, insect repellent and a bottle of water won't break the bank.
Euronews
13-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
A two-storey bar and more leg room: Inside France's new high-speed TGV trains
The TGV INOUI, run by national operator SNCF, will launch at the start of 2026. ADVERTISEMENT A new fleet of TGV trains is set to hit the rails in France and the first images of their stylish interiors have been released. The TGV INOUI (previously called TGV-M) series is the fifth generation of the trains produced for national rail operator SNCF by manufacturer Alstom, and they will begin carrying passengers at the start of 2026. They will start circulating on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille route - the busiest high-speed line in the country - before being phased in across the rest of the network. The redesign includes a two-storey bar, extra legroom and improved access for disabled passengers. New TGV trains will have better WiFi and bigger capacity The new trains will have an extra carriage increasing capacity by up to 20 per cent compared to the current models - or a maximum of 740 passengers per train. Access for disabled travellers has been improved thanks to a dedicated coach with wheelchair-friendly facilities like a lift between its two floors and 'service at-the-seat' catering. Passengers with a 5G-compatible mobile contract will benefit from improved connectivity and stronger WiFi. Seats in first class are 5cm wider, allowing you to place small personal belongings beside you, and have wrap-around, height-adjustable headrests and electric seat recline. Yann Audic/SNCF There will be fewer doors dividing carriages, making it easier for passengers to keep an eye on their suitcases on luggage racks while they travel. These new trains will also be 20 per cent more energy-efficient due to their aerodynamic design, which will result in CO2 savings of 50 per cent compared with single-deck high-speed trains, SNCF says. A bonus emissions saving for anyone looking to travel by high-speed rail to avoid a short haul flight. New TGV interiors made from recyclable materials On top of their aerodynamic, emissions-cutting design, the new fleet is made from 25 per cent recycled materials which will be 97 per cent recyclable, according to SNCF, making it the high-speed train with the lowest carbon footprint on the market. The interiors are the result of a collaboration between designers from the French agency AREP and the Japanese agency Nendo. The concept of the project was 'flow', and the designers 'played with the idea of depth inside, with a strong horizon line running through all the elements and giving the impression of the surface of water.' The details of the seats and the striking yellow table lamps draw inspiration from the soft shapes of pebbles and objects polished by water. Standard class seats now have individual plug sockets (currently one is shared between two passengers), a mini table, and up to 5cm of extra legroom. Seats in first class are 5cm wider, allowing you to place small personal belongings beside you, and have wrap-around, height-adjustable headrests and electric seat recline. ADVERTISEMENT New TGV trains will have a two-storey bar One of the most exciting developments is the major redesign of the fleet's bar carriage. Named Le Bistro, its lower floor is given over to self-service fridges, coffee machines and microwaves with payment via self-service terminals. The upper storey is designed as a 'convivial' space for sit-down dining with seats for up to 28 passengers. One of the most exciting developments is the major redesign of the fleet's bar carriage. Yann Audic/SNCF The menu will feature typical French bistro dishes. 65 per cent of suppliers are French and 100 per cent of the meat on the menu is of French origin. There will be three different seasonal menus during the year and each will include a 'dish of the month'.
