France maintains investment momentum

France has Europe’s second-largest rail network – one that is growing, with new high-speed lines (LGVs) continuing to head the list of investments. The programme includes LGV Est Européen to Strasbourg, LGV Sud Europe Atlantique, LGV Bretagne/Pays de la Loire and the Nîmes/Montpellier bypass. These will add 730 km, just part of the 4,500 km of lines planned under the government’s Grenelle de l’Environnement programme. Improvements are also being made to traditional lines which with the LGV programme could see annual spending by national network operator RFF rise to over €5 billion.

SNCF is modernising its passenger rolling stock, procuring state-of-the-art vehicles from leading manufacturers. The country’s rail supply industry also benefits from major foreign contracts from many international markets.

These factors make France one of the world’s most important markets for rail products and services and a world-leading centre for innovation.

The French rail network

More than 29,000 route-km
1,900 route-km of high-speed lines
3,000 stations
400 billion passenger-km annually
42 billion freight tonne-km annually
Metro systems in 6 cities and light rail systems operational or planned in 26 cities and towns

The hub of France’s rail supply industry

Companies based in the Nord-Pas de Calais/Picardie region employ 10,000 people and account for 40% of national railway manufacturing. It is also home to the European Railway Agency.

The presence of major sites of three of the world’s leading railway suppliers is boosted by strong support from Northern France Rail, which brings together companies, research centres and other organisations to drive forward development of the sector.

Railenium wins government funds

In 2011 Railenium, the European Institute for Technological Research in Rail Infrastructure, was awarded government funding of €550 million to establish a centre of excellence at Valenciennes and a secondary site at Lille. The establishment of Railenium underlines the importance of cross-industry cooperation in the face of strengthening global competition. Its members include government bodies, regional authorities and leading rail industry companies.