A new high-speed train has been launched, connecting two gorgeous European cities and increasing the opportunities for tourists to visit. Europe has an impressive railway network that connects many major cities, and Interrail is a popular tourist activity on the continent. In France, many cities are easily accessible to each other via rail lines, but the new services provide more connections between the two iconic urban areas of the country. Trenitalia launched highway Paris to Marseille service on June 15th, offering a trip between the two cities that takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Tourists and locals are offered four new daily round trips, with tickets for just 23 euros, which sells for around £19.60. The new services of Italian companies are direct competitors on routes offered by SNCF, the state-owned railway company in France. Increased competition could mean better prices and more attractive excursions for visitors to France. Trenitalia aims to attract both business and leisure passengers on new routes.
Paris and Marseille are located more than 480 miles from each other, and the car journey between the two iconic French cities takes more than seven hours. The new train route will stop at Lyon Saint-Aixpery, Avignon TGV and Aix en Provens TGV, between Paris Gare de Lion and Marseille Saint-Charles.
“The new Paris Marseille connection further expands the French Flecia Rossa network and meets the needs of those looking for a quick, comfortable and environmentally friendly way to travel,” said Mark Caposciutti, CEO of Trenitalia France. “The Trenitalia France offer will increasingly meet the needs of those who choose trains for reasons of work, study, leisure and tourism.”
Paris is a very popular tourist destination, receiving over 40 million visitors per year. Marseille is not particularly popular, but is considered a major hot spot for tourism in France.
Paris is a metropolis in the northern half of the country known for its history, food, culture and art, but Marseille is located in the south of the country and attracts people seeking a sun-stained trip with beautiful coastal scenes and great weather.
Trains departing from Paris initially depart at 5:55am, with the last service departing all day until 7:04pm. Meanwhile, the train departs from Marseille at 6:52am, and the last one departs at 6:49pm.
This shows the expansion of Trenitalia in France as the operators already offer two other services within the country.
