France - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services Temp

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Introduction

France (Lignes à Grande Vitesse) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

All connecting lines are assumed to have a double track grade separated junction with the LGV itself unless otherwise specified. Not all connections to the LGVs are shown on the schematics, as some of them, particularly those connecting to non-electrified railways and meant only for access to engineers trains, are extremely unlikely to ever have a passenger service. Other connections have no entries in the text because their usage is obvious.

LGV Nord

The Ligne à Grande Vitesse Nord, typically shortened to LGV Nord, is a 333-kilometre-long high-speed rail line, opened in 1993, that connects Paris to the Belgian border and the Channel Tunnel via Lille.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


The letters refer to the entries for each connecting line.

Arras Raccordement Sud: Bif. Croisilles - Bif. Arras-Sud)

(ERA-E 26B1; ERA-R 64C3; S+W 6D2/7A2) FR24/601

This 10km east to north spur, linking the LGV Nord with Arras station is used by TGV trains running non-stop Paris Nord <=> Arras.

Arras Raccordement Nord: Arras (Bifurcation 199,6km) – Lille (Bifurcation 161,94km)

[ERT18a, 250](ERA-E 26B1; ERA-R 64C3; S+W 7A1) FR24/602

This west to north spur, linking Arras station with the LGV Nord-Europe to the north, is used by TGV trains running non-stop between Arras and Lille (whether Flandres or Europe stations). Any taking 33 minutes or more use the 'classic' line via Douai.

A number of TGVs to/from Paris Nord use the curve and are found by searching for trains from Arras to Lille Europe. In addition the following trains use this obscure route:-

SSuX TER44401 06:44 Arras - Calais-Fréthun
SSuX TER44551 Amiens - 0718 Arras - Lille Europe
D TGV5062 Montpellier-Sud-de-France - 14:03 Arras - Lille Europe
SSuX TER44550 Dunkerque - 19:22 Lille Europe - Amiens

Lille Flandres - connections to LGV Nord

(ERA-E 26A2, not shown; ERA-R 64A3, not shown; S+W 3B1) FR24/603

TGV services from Paris Nord to Lille Flandres via the LGV Nord leave the LGV near Lezennes, in the south of Lille, on a connection called ATGV. Leaving Lille Flandres TGVs fly over the LGV on line DTGV which joins the LGV Nord towards Paris Nord. Lines ATGV and DTGV are, in effect, a large flying junction.

Raccordement de Becquerel (Lille Flandres Avoiding Line: La Madeleine (Jonctions du Lion d'Or) – Lille-Flandres Point Z – Lille-Europe AS)

[ERT 11] (ERA-E 26A2, not shown; ERA-R 64A3, not shown; S+W 3B1) FR24/604

This line links the Lille-Flandres - Tourcoing line with the LGV Nord via the Raccordement de Becquerel, which descends alongside the Remisage de Lille Fives TGV Depot. It is used by Ouigo TGVs to and from Tourcoing.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


D TGV7669/7668 06:02 Tourcoing - Bordeaux
D TGV7867/7866 07:44 Tourcoing - Montpellier Sud de France
D TGV7836/7837 Marseille St Charles - 22:07 Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV - Tourcoing

Raccordement de Cassel

(ERA-E 26B5; ERA-R 67B5; S+W 2B2) FR24/605

This single track curve connects the LGV Nord with the Hazebrouck to Dunkerque line and is used by TGV services Lille Europe <=> Dunkerque. Note that non-stop TER services Lille Europe <=> Dunkerque are TGV trainsets.

Raccordement de Fréthun

(ERA-E 26B4, not shown; ERA-R 67BA3, not shown; S+W 1B2) FR24/606

This approximately 1km connection allows trains from the LGV Nord to join the Boulogne - Calais line and call at the non-TGV platforms at Calais-Fréthun station. It is used by daily Paris Nord <=> Boulogne Ville TGV services and Lille Europe <=> Boulogne Ville TER services, all reversing at Calais-Fréthun)

LGV Interconnexion Est

The LGV Interconnexion Est connects the LGV Nord, LGV Est, LGV Sud-Est and LGV Sud-Ouest as it runs through the suburbs of Paris.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


The letters refer to the entries for each connecting line.

Raccordement de Vémars

(ERA-E 24A4; ERA-R 66A5/B5; S+W 31C1) FR24/611

This south to west curve of the Triangle de Vémars allows trains to/from the LGV Est to start/terminate at Paris Nord instead of Paris Est.

It was used for this purpose on 4/5 November and 11/12 November 2023. These trains also used route FR23/612.

Raccordement de Messy

[ERT 11, 335, 391] (ERA-E 24A5; ERA-R 66A5/B4; S+W 31B D1) FR24/612

This east to north curve allows trains between the LGV Est and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV to avoid Paris using the LGV Interconnexion Est.

It is used by trains running directly between Strasbourg and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle. This includes trains to/from Brussels and those to/from south and west France (Rennes, Nantes and Bordeaux) which call at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV.

Raccordement d'Annet

(ERA-E 24A5; ERA-R 66A5/B4; S+W 31B D1) FR24/613

This east to south curve allows trains between the LGV Est and Marne-La-Vallée Chessy to avoid Paris using the LGV Interconnexion Est.

It is used by trains running directly between Strasbourg and south and west France (Rennes, Nantes and Bordeaux) which do not call at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV. There is currently only one service.

TGV5440/TGV9406 Bordeaux Saint-Jean - 12:28/12:42 Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy - Strasbourg


Raccordement d'Interconnexion Nord-Sud: (Bif. Presles – Bif. Chevry-Cossigny)

(ERA-E 24C4/5; ERA-R 66B2; S+W 31D4) FR24/614

This curve allows trains from the LGV Nord/ Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV and LGV Est/Marne-La-Vallée Chessy to access the LGV Sud-Est into Paris Gare de Lyon, or the non-TGV lines connecting to the LGV Sud-Ouest towards Tours. The curve may be used for diversions into Paris Gare de Lyon, but there are regular services from Marne-La-Vallée Chessy to the LGV Sud-Ouest.

LGV Est

The LGV Est Européenne, typically shortened to LGV Est, connects Vaires-sur-Marne (near Paris) and Vendenheim (near Strasbourg). The 300 km from Vaires-sur-Marne to Baudrecourt (near Metz and Nancy) opened in 2007 and the 106 km second phase from Baudrecourt to Vendenheim opened in 2016.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


The letters refer to the entries for each connecting line.

Raccordement Trois Puits: Champagne-Ardenne TGV – Trois Puits [ – Reims]

[ERT 389, fiche C01 Sedan - Charleville-Mézières - Reims - Paris, C09 Reims - Champagne-Ardenne TGV - Épernay] (ERA-E 31A1; ERA-R 71B4; S+W 17A4-17B4) FR24/621

This grade separated link with the LGV Est station sees the south side flyover used only by TGV services from Reims. The ground level north side is used in both directions by all non-TGV shuttle trains (navettes) between Reims and Champagne-Ardenne TGV, plus by towards Reims TGV's.

Raccordement de Châlons Nord and Raccordement de Châlons Sud: Champagne Ardenne TGV - Châlons-en-Champagne

(ERA-E 31A2; ERA-R 71B4; S+W 33C1) FR24/622

These two Raccordements are sufficiently offset such that many will consider them separate routes. Services from Paris Est to Bar-le-Duc use the Raccordement de Châlons Nord and services from Bar-le-Duc to Paris the Raccordement de Châlons Sud. T

SX TGV2785 Paris Est - 20:05/20:11 Champagne Ardenne TGV - Bar-le-Duc
SuX TGV2778 Bar-le-Duc - 06:55 Châlons-en-Champagne - Paris Est

Raccordement de Vandières north curve: Meuse TGV – Pagny-sur-Moselle [– Metz]

(ERA-E 31A3; ERA-R 72A4; S+W 36A2) FR24/623

This west to north curve is for TGV services Paris Est <=> Metz

Raccordement de Vandières south curve: Meuse TGV – Pont-à-Mousson [– Nancy]

(ERA-E 31A3; ERA-R 72A4; S+W 36A2) FR24/624

This west to south curve is for TGV services Paris Est <=> Nancy

Raccordement de Baudrecourt (western section)

(ERA-E 31A4; ERA-R 72A4; S+W 36C1/2) FR23/625

This is part of the original end of the LGV Est before construction of the LGV extension to Vendenheim. It is used by TGV/ICE services Paris Est <=> Forbach, Saarbrücken and Frankfurt. There are currently three return services daily.

Raccordement de Baudrecourt (eastern section)

(ERA-E 31A4; ERA-R 72A4; S+W 36C1/2) FR24/626

This is part of the original end of the LGV Est before construction of the LGV extension to Vendenheim. It could still be used for TGV services from Paris Est to Strasbourg via Réding and Saverne, but there are no such services in the current timetable. It may be used as a diversionary route if there is engineering work on the LGV towards Strasbourg.

Raccordement de Lucy: Rémilly (Bif. km 124,255) - Lesse (Bif. km 306)

[ERT 379] (ERA-E 31A4; ERA-R 72A4; S+W 36C2) FR24/627

This north west to south east connection, starting south east of Rémilly, is used by TGVs Luxembourg/Metz <=> Strasbourg transferring between the Alsace-Lorraine 'classic' line and the section of LGV Est to the east.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


TGV5521 05:46 Metz - Montpellier St Roch
TGV9877 Luxembourg - 08:10 Metz - Marseille St Charles
D TGV9879 Luxembourg - 12:10 Metz - Montpellier Sud de France
D OGV7693 Paris Est - 18:04 Metz - Strasbourg
D TGV9898 Montpellier St Roch - 12:31 Strasbourg - Luxembourg
D OGV7692 12:50 Strasbourg - Paris Est
TGV5500 Montpellier St Roch - 20:22 Strasbourg - Metz
TGV9896 Marseille St Charles - 22:14 Strasbourg - Luxembourg

Raccordement de Réding: (Nancy -) Sarrebourg - Raccordement de Réding - LGV Est Européenne (- Strasbourg)

[ERT 383, fiche A13 Strasbourg - Nancy] (ERA-E 31A4; ERA-R 72B4; S+W 37B3 (Not shown)) FR24/628

This is the lengthy connection from Sarrebourg, on the classic route from Nancy to Strasbourg, onto the LGV Est Européenne to Strasbourg and v.v.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Since December 2021 two daily TGV services have taken this route.

D MFX TGV5516 06:52 Nice Ville - 16:00 Strasbourg - Nancy
D SSuX TGV5537 12:16/12:26 Nancy - Nice Ville


LGV Sud-Est

The LGV Sud-Est was France's first high-speed rail line, opening in 1983. It connects the Paris and Lyon areas.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


The letters refer to the entries for each connecting line.

Raccordement de Valenton

[ERT 11, 335 & 391] (ERA-E 24B4; ERA-R 66A2; S+W 31B:B3-B4) FR24/631

This connection between LGV-Interconnexion and the Grande Ceinture (the Paris orbital railway, now incomplete) is used by all TGVs between LGVs Sud-Est, Est or Nord and LGV Sud-Ouest. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Ligne de Combs-la-Ville à Saint-Louis (LGV): Raccordement de Lieusaint: Le Creusot-TGV (Bifurcation de Crisenoy) – Combs-la-Ville-Quincy

(ERA 24C4; ERA-R 66B1; S+W 31C4-31D4) FR24/632

This is the former northern end of the LGV Sud-Est, now little used (a few trains are routed this way for engineering works or pathing purposes) as most TGVs to and from Paris Gare-de-Lyon run via Triangle de Coubert (Bifurcation Sud – Bifurcation Ouest), joining the main line from Gare-de-Lyon at Bifurcation de Creteil, north of Villeneuve Triage. The compilers would welcome any information on services using this line.

Raccordement de Saint-Florentin

(ERA 31B1; ERA-R 71A2; S+W 50D4) FR24/633

This curve connects the LGV with the classic line between Paris Gare de Lyon and Lyon Part Dieu and allows trains from Laroche-Migennes to access the southbound LGV Sud Est towards Lyon. A limited service operated for several years, but has been discontinued.

Raccordement de Pasilly à Aisy

(ERA 31C1/2; ERA-R 71B1; S+W 65B2) FR24/634

This lengthy and important connection allows TGV trains from Paris Gare de Lyon to join the classic main line Paris Gare de Lyon <=> Dijon-Ville. It is used by TGVs to Dijon-Ville and those continuing onto the LGV Rhin-Rhône.

Raccordement de Mâcon-Sud

(ERA 32A2; ERA-R 71B1) FR24/635

This curve connects the LGV Sud Est south of Mâcon-Loche TGV with the classic line Lyon Part Dieu <=> Dijon-Ville. TGV with a travel time significantly greater than 28 minutes between Lyon Part-Dieu and Mâcon-Loche TGV may use this connection, but there are none in the current timetable.

Raccordement de Mâcon-Nord

(ERA 32A2; ERA-R 71B1) FR24/636

This connection allows TGV services from Lyon or the LGV lines south of Lyon to call at Mâcon Ville and take the classic route Lyon Part Dieu <=> Dijon (and vice versa). It is not possible to tell from the timings between Lyon Part-Dieu and Mâcon Ville whether the LGV or the 'classic route' is taken between these stations. The compilers would welcome any information as to the route taken by services.

Raccordement de Pont-de-Veyle

(ERA 32A2; ERA-R 71B1) FR24/637

This connection allows trains from the Bourg-en-Bresse line (such as trains to/from Genève) to call at or pass through Mâcon-Loche TGV en route to Paris Gare de Lyon, and vice versa.

LGV Lines south of Lyon: Includes LGV Rhône-Alpes, LGV Méditerranée and LGV Nîmes – Montpellier

The LGV Rhône-Alpes is a 115 km southward extension to the LGV Sud-Est. Opened to service in 1994, the line bypasses the built-up Lyon area towards the east and runs to Valence TGV station. A further extension in 2001 saw the opening of the LGV Méditerranée. This 250-kilometre-long LGV is an inverted Y shape with two branches from the Triangle des Angles. The eastern branch goes to Marseille, while the western one went to Nîmes. This branch was in turn extended with the opening of the 50km LGV Nîmes – Montpellier, also known as the Contournement Nîmes – Montpellier, in 2018 (freight 2017). This ends at Montpellier Sud de France with a connection to the classic line to Narbonne.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


The letters refer to the entries for each connecting line.

Raccordement de Grenay

(ERA 33C5; ERA-R 75C3) FR24/641

This curve connects the LGV from Paris with the Lyon to Chambéry line. It is used by TGVs Paris Gare de Lyon <=> Chambéry and Annecy that do not call at Lyon.

Raccordement de Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence

(ERA 32C2; ERA-R 75C1) FR24/642

This curve allows trains from the classic main line Avignon Centre <=> Lyon to join the LGV towards Paris Gare de Lyon. It is used by two train pairs daily and one train pair SuX.

SuX TGV6191 Paris Gare de Lyon - 09:14 Lyon-Saint-Exupéry TGV - Avignon Centre
D TGV6193 Paris Gare de Lyon - 14:10 Lyon-Saint-Exupéry TGV - Miramas
TGV6195 Paris Gare de Lyon - 19:14/20:10 Lyon-Saint-Exupéry TGV - Miramas
SuX TGV6194 Miramas - 08:13 Valence Ville - Paris Gare de Lyon
TGV6196 Miramas - 15:13 Valence Ville - Paris Gare de Lyon
TGV6198 Miramas - 19:13 Valence Ville - Paris Gare de Lyon

Raccordement de Châteauneuf-sur-Isère

(ERA 32C2; ERA-R 75C1) FR24/643

This curve allows TGVs from Marseille, Nîmes and Montpellier to access the Valence Ville to Grenoble line. It was once used by TGVs between Genève or Grenoble and places further south but has no current use.

Raccordement de Lamotte-du-Rhône and Raccordement de Bolene

(ERA 332A; ERA-R 79C5) FR24/644

These two adjacent raccordements allow interchange between the LGV Méditerranée and the classic line Avignon Centre <=> Lyon. They have been used for diversions associated with engineering works in the past, but have no current use.

Raccordement Branche Grand-Sud du Triangle des Angles: Avignon TGV (Bif. Km 624,0/624,2) – Manduel-Redessan (Suze SEI71 (Bif. Km 5,2))

[ERT 355] (ERA-E 33A2; ERA-R 79C4) FR24/645

The third side of the Triangle des Angles, west of Avignon TGV station, is used by direct TGVs (or equivalent) between Marseille and Nîmes or beyond. After a period of several years without any service, since 28 July 2023 it has been served by the RENFE AVE between Madrid and Marseille.

AVI9730 Marseille St.Charles - 08:40 Avignon TGV - Madrid Puerta de Atocha
AVI9725 Madrid Pueta de Atocha - 20:26 Nîmes - Marseille St.Charles

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LGV Rhin-Rhône

The LGV Rhin-Rhône runs 140 km from from Genlis, near Dijon to Lutterbach, near Mulhouse. The present line is not connected to any other LGV and is the first in France to be presented as an inter-regional route rather than a link from the provinces to Paris, though it is used by trains to/from Paris.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Raccordement ouest Besançon TGV

(ERA-E 31C3; ERA-R 72A1; S+W 67D4) FR24/651

TER trains between Besançon-Franche-Comté TGV station (terminus platforms) and Besançon Viotte use this west curve. TGV services run to/from the TGV platforms to/from the curve via a crossover.

SSuX TGV6741 Paris Gare de Lyon - 09:08 Besançon-Franche-Comté - Besançon Viotte
SSuO TGV6753 Paris Gare de Lyon - 23:36 Besançon-Franche-Comté - Besançon Viotte
SuX TGV6762 06:37 Besançon-Viotte - Paris Gare de Lyon
SuO TGV1939 19:39 Besançon-Viotte - Paris Gare de Lyon

Raccordement Est Besançon TGV

(ERA-E 31C3; ERA-R 72A1; S+W 67D4) FR24/652

This curve was used by direct TGVs Mulhouse <=> Besançon Viotte. There are no such services in the current timetable.


LGV Sud-Ouest

This LGV comprises the LGV Atlantique from Paris Montparnasse to Tours and its 2017 extension, the LGV Sud Europe Atlantique from Tours to Bordeaux. Together they are often referred to as the LGV Sud-Ouest.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


The letters refer to the entries for each connecting line.

Raccordement de Massy: Massy TGV – Chemin d'Antony (Bifurcation km 23,4)

[ERT 11, 335, 391] (ERA-E 24C3; ERA-R 65C2; S+W 31A:D4) FR24/661

This connection between LGV Sud-Ouest (LGV Atlantique) and the Grande Ceinture is used by all TGVs between LGVs Sud Est, Est or Nord and LGV Sud Ouest (LGV Atlantique). Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Raccordement de Monts-Sud

(ERA-E 27C3; ERA-R 70A1; ) FR24/662

This approximately 2km connection allows TGV services from Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps to access the LGV towards Bordeaux Saint Jean, and vice versa.

Raccordement de La Celle Saint-Avant: north of Châtellerault

[ERT 300] (ERA-E 27C3 not shown correctly; ERA-R 74A5; 18I10 ) FR24/663

This provides a link from the LGV SEA for TGVs serving Châtellerault as well as Poitiers. It probably came into service at the end of 2017. The trains listed below run non-stop between Paris Montparnasse and Châtellerault, so can be expected to use this connection. TGV Inoui 8488 used it on 04 July 2024, and TGV Inoui 8343 on 3 July 2024. The limited information available suggests that TGVs calling at St Pierre des Corps and Châtellerault may run by either the LGV and this connection or the old main line, irrespective of the time taken. Travellers' reports would be welcome.

①-④ ⑥ TGV Inoui 8343 16:54 Paris Montparnasse - Poitiers
⑤ ⑦ TGV 8389 16:54 Paris Montparnasse - La Rochelle
①-④ TGV Inoui 8488 Bordeaux Saint Jean - 18:26 Châtellerault - Paris Montparnasse

Raccordement de Migné-Auxances

(ERA-E 28A3; ERA-R 72C4/5) FR24/664

This connection allows TGVs from Paris or Tours to leave the LGV and call at Poitiers.

Raccordement de Fontaine le Nord

(ERA-E 28A3; ERA-R 73C4 ) FR24/665

This curve allows TGVs on trains north of the junction to directly access the line to Niort and La Rochelle without calling at Poitiers.

FSuO TGV8361 13:40 Paris Montparnasse - La Rochelle
TWThO TGV8363 15:35 Paris Montparnasse - La Rochelle
FSSuX TGV 8365 17:27 Paris Montparnasse - La Rochelle
FO TGV8367 Paris Montparnasse - 18:37 St. Pierre-des-Corps - La Rochelle
FSSuX TGV 8360 La Rochelle - 07:43 Niort - Paris Montparnasse
D TGV 8362 La Rochelle - 09:27 Niort - Paris Montparnasse
TGV8364 La Rochelle - 17:41 Niort - Paris Montparnasse

Raccordement de Fontaine le Sud

(ERA-E 28A3; ERA-R 73C4 ) FR24/666

Used by TGV services Poitiers <=> Bordeaux Saint Jean direct or services to/from Poitiers which take about 43 minutes to/from Angoulême.

Raccordement Juillé and Raccordement Villognon (north of Angoulême)

[ERT 300] (ERA-E 28B3, not shown correctly; ERA-R 73C3) FR24/667

These two links north of Angoulême between LGV SEA and the 'classic' line, which came into service 2 July 2017, are about 7.25km apart but function as a single grade separated junction.

They are normally used by TGVs serving Angoulême.

TGVs from Paris to Angoulême use the Raccordement Villognon and trains from Angoulême towards Paris use the Raccordement Juillé.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Raccordement de la Couronne

(ERA-E 28B3; ERA-R 73C2/3) FR24/668

TGV services Angoulême <=> Bordeaux St.Jean can be expected to use this curve if the journey time is 36-38 minutes. TGVs routed via the classic line and Libourne take over an hour, but there are very few of these.

LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire

Strictly speaking the LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire begins at Connerré because Bif. Courtalain to the Raccordement de Connérré Voyageurs was built as the western branch of the TGV Atlantique. However, it is convenient to include the two LGVs together as they form one line from Bif. Courtalain to Cesson-Sévigné, near Rennes. The 182 km LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire opened in 2017. There were 32 km of connections to the existing network.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


The letters refer to the entries for each connecting line.

Raccordement de Connérré Voyageurs

(ERA-E 27B3; ERA-R 70A2; S+W 46C3) FR24/671

This east-west connection, east of Le Mans, links the LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire with the line to Le Mans. It is used TGVs between Paris and Le Mans.

Raccordement de Connérré Fret

(ERA-E 27B3; ERA-R 70A2;) FR24/672

This single track east-west connection, east of Le Mans, links the classic Paris - Brest main line with the LGV avoiding Le Mans. In spite of its name it carries no known freight traffic and its purpose appears to be simply to provide access for engineers' trains and possibly for diversions.

It has no booked passenger service and the only use that might possibly be envisaged would be diversions in the event of a complete closure of the LGV east of Le Mans.

Raccordement de La Milesse Fret

(ERA-E 27B3; ERA-R 69C2 ) FR24/673

This single track east to north west connection, north of Le Mans, links the LGV avoiding Le Mans with the classic Paris - Brest main line. In spite of its name, it carries no known freight traffic and its purpose appears to be simply to provide access for engineers' trains and possibly for diversions.

It has no booked passenger service and the only use that might possibly be envisaged would be diversion of TGVs not calling at Le Mans in the event of a complete closure of the LGV west of Le Mans.

Raccordement de La Milesse Voyageurs

(ERA-E 27B3; ERA-R 69C2 ) FR24/674

This south to north west connection, north of Le Mans, links the classic line from Le Mans with the LGV to Rennes.

It is used by TGVs between Le Mans and Rennes. It appears that the majority of TGVs between Le Mans and Angers, or perhaps all such trains, do not use this connection, but instead the ‘classic’ line between Le Mans and Angers.

Raccordement de Sablé-sur-Sarthe

[ERT 280 & 287, fiche Ligne 28] (ERA-E 27B2; ERA-R 69C2; S+W 45C4) FR24/675

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


This east to south connection provides a link southwards from the LGV BPL to the 'classic' Le Mans - Angers [ - Nantes] line at Sablé-sur-Sarthe (Sablé Bif. de la Flèche). It enables TGVs to run between Paris and Angers. This curve is used by all such trains which do not call at Le Mans. It appears that the majority of TGVs which call at Le Mans, or perhaps all such trains, use the ‘classic’ line between Le Mans and Angers.

Raccordement de la Virgule de Sablé-sur-Sarthe: Laval (SEI 75 Auvers) - Sablé-sur-Sarthe

[ERT 280 & 287, fiche Ligne 28] (ERA-E 27B2; ERA-R 69C2; S+W 45C4) FR24/676

See previous entry for a map.

This single track west to south curve makes a simple junction with the LGV. It carries TER trains between Rennes and Nantes via Laval and Angers.

Raccordement de Laval Est

(ERA-E 27B2; ERA-R 69B2) FR24/677

This east to south west connection, east of Laval, links the LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire with the line to Laval. It is used by TGVs calling at Laval and TER trains between Rennes and Nantes via Laval and Angers.

Raccordement de Laval Ouest

(ERA-E 27B2; ERA-R 69B2) FR24/677

This east to south west connection, west of Laval, links the line from Laval with the LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire. It is used by TGVs between Laval and Rennes, but not by TER trains between Rennes and Nantes via Laval because these call at Vitré.


The following regions currently have no Obscure Services: Bretagne and Corse (Corsica)

Dates of Running

SNCF has one of the most complex patterns in Europe of dates on which some trains run, such that they can be very cumbersome to express in words. The entries thus show just the basic pattern, such as weekdays only or weekends only. The letter 'D' denotes a train whose dates of operation are seasonal or variable. Users should use the SNCF journey planner to determine on which dates a train runs.

The timetable fiches do not normally cover the whole year. A new series usually comes into force in July, but not all régions seem to adhere to the same July date. These summer/autumn fiches are not normally available until June. Check also when reading the timetable fiches for dated entries, fiches being reissued after they have come into force (and hence not necessarily available at the time of compiling details of obscure services) and gaps in the period covered (which can give rise to a 'hidden' suspension of service). Owing to this complex situation users should not rely on details herein being up to date at all times and should check on the SNCF journey planner. Check for alterations in consequence of strikes, engineering works and of service reductions at holiday periods at SNCF Grandes lignes, Île de France or the TER regional websites.

LGVs

Detailed schematic plans of all LGVs can be found via this list; these plans should be consulted to identify all the various spurs on and off LGVs. TGVs normally make maximum use of LGVs on their line of route, but overnight services may use classic lines for part of the journey, in order to allow for infrastructure maintenance. A TGV calling at two stations reasonably close together on a classic line may not use a parallel LGV.

Where reference is made to TGV services, this should be taken to include Eurostar, Thalys and Ouigo trains as appropriate, where the context so permits and unless otherwise indicated (but remember that Ouigo trains may not show up on Voyages-SNCF or HAFAS-related on-line journey planners - only on their dedicated websites). In lists of trains herein, TGV Inoui services are shown as TGV and TGV Ouigo as TGO.

Table Numbers/Fiches

No overall French public timetable in tabular form is now issued, so table numbers cannot be quoted. Lines are listed by local government Région so, for local services, the number of the TER fiche is quoted. These can be downloaded through the TER regional websites: select the relevant Région and follow Horaires & Trafic then Fiches Horaires or Votre Fiche Horaires or Fiches Horaires à télécharger or Horaires / Travauz / Grèves.

Where a service is shown in the European Rail Timetable this is indicated by 'ERT' and the table number.

Maps

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 1) by M.G. Ball.” References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Eisenbahnatlas Frankreich Band 1: Nord by Schweers + Wall.

SNCF's most recent on-line passenger destinations map is diagrammatic and does not show lines used only by local trains: see the General Information Maps page for mapping information.

Trams

See France - Tram services over obscure routes

Other sparse services

Away from the LGVs and main lines to and from Paris, SNCF provide some of the least frequent services in Europe on their cross-country, secondary and tertiary lines. To list those with a poorer frequency than might be expected elsewhere would be tedious. However, the following lines have - on several working days of the week - no more than a single round trip, or have no service on some working days, or are restricted to seasonal or "dated" service. Careful study of the Régional TER fiches is therefore strongly recommended. "Better service" may still be limited compared to standards elsewhere.

Readers should also take particular notice of lines listed as Particularly Threatened.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

ERT 332, fiche 81 Neussargues - St Chély-d'Apcher

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

fiche ** Clamecy - Corbigny ** (fiche CORBIGNY/CLAMECY/AVALLON-AUXERRE-PARIS BERCY)

Bretagne

ERT 285 Auray - Quiberon Summer service only. Details are found in the Les Trains Touristiques section of the TER Bretagne website.

Grand Est

ERT 915, fiche L02 Thionville – Apach – frontier (– Perl [Germany]) Weekend service only

Normandie

ERT 276a, fiche ** Trouville-Deauville - Dives-Cabourg ** (fiche Dives Cabourg-Trouville Deauville-Paris). Daily in July and August; more limited, mostly at weekends, in spring and autumn; no winter service
fiche ** Beauvais - Le Treport ** Only three round train trips a day from 1 September 2020, with the rest buses.


Nouvelle-Aquitaine

ERT 307, fiche 42 Le Verdon - Pointe-de-Grave Summer service only; Pointe-de-Grave does not appear on the fiche outside the summer
fiche 25 Busseau-sur-Creuse - Felletin Limited weekday service; Since 10 December 2023, on Saturday three trains run through to Limoges with two returning. On Sunday there is a service in both directions.

Occitanie

ERT 332, fiche 31 Mende - Le Monastier-Pin-Moriès [ - Marvejols]

Pays de Loire

fiche 14 Chantonnay - Bressuire Better service on summer weekends

Deletions since previous edition

Obscure services

FR19/455 Montmélian avoiding line - Raccordement de Montmélian There has been no use of this route since summer 2018

Other sparse services

Bretagne Retiers - Châteaubriant Bus service pending track renewals
Grand Est Saales - St Dié-des-Vosges A reasonable train service was reinstated in November 2019 or earlier
Nouvelle Acquitaine Hendaye - Irun (Spain) Now included in Obscure Services











See also