A new high-speed rail operator in France is preparing to challenge state-run rail giant SNCF on one of the country’s busiest routes. The company, Velvet, has unveiled its first passenger train in La Rochelle, marking the start of a major shift in France’s rail market.
The new train, painted in green and lilac, is the first of 12 planned units. Velvet aims to launch services between Paris and major western cities including Bordeaux, Nantes, Angers, and Rennes starting in 2028. The move is expected to increase competition on routes that are already heavily used.
Velvet was founded in 2022 by former SNCF executive Rachel Picard and former RATP UK operations manager Timothy Jackson. The company raised around €1 billion in 2024 from investors, including infrastructure fund Antin, to finance its expansion and train development.
The trains are being manufactured by Alstom, a major global rail producer. However, the company recently issued a profit warning due to supply chain challenges affecting production speed. Despite this, Alstom has confirmed that the Velvet trains are not expected to face delays.
The new fleet is still under construction and testing. The train currently on display does not yet have its interior fitted. Full completion and testing are expected to continue until the end of 2027 before commercial service begins in 2028.
Velvet says its strategy is not focused on undercutting prices but on increasing capacity. The company aims to serve passengers who struggle to find seats on existing SNCF services, particularly on the busy Paris–Bordeaux route where trains are often fully booked.
Demand for rail travel on this corridor has grown in recent years. This increase followed restrictions on short domestic flights in France, which encouraged more passengers to switch to high-speed rail for travel between major cities.
At peak times, SNCF operates trains between Paris and Bordeaux roughly every 30 minutes. Even with frequent services, seats often sell out days in advance, highlighting strong demand and limited capacity on the route.
However, Velvet’s planned service has already sparked political controversy. The company confirmed that its trains will not stop at Angoulême or Poitiers, two stations along the route. This decision has triggered criticism from local officials who say the regions contributed financially to the rail infrastructure.
Local leaders argue that the omission breaks earlier expectations that trains would serve those stops. They say taxpayers helped fund the high-speed line and were promised better connectivity in return. The decision has been described by some officials as unfair and politically sensitive.
Despite the criticism, SNCF currently operates around 17 daily services between Angoulême and Paris, including direct and connecting trains. Journey times can be under two hours, with ticket prices varying depending on demand and timing.
Velvet is not alone in trying to enter France’s rail market. Another start-up, Le Train, has also planned regional high-speed services but has faced regulatory delays linked to safety certification for its trains. Similar challenges have slowed expansion plans by Spain’s Renfe in France.
Other competitors are also entering the European rail market. Italy’s Trenitalia already operates routes between major French cities, while UK-based Virgin Trains is preparing future Channel Tunnel services expected later this decade.
Industry analysts say France’s rail sector is entering a new era of competition after decades of dominance by SNCF. The arrival of private operators could increase capacity and improve service options, but it also raises concerns about regional access and infrastructure fairness.
As Velvet prepares for its 2028 launch, attention is now focused on how the company will balance commercial demand with political pressure. The Paris–Bordeaux route is set to become one of the most closely watched rail corridors in Europe’s evolving transport market.
