ADVERTISEMENTA 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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENTNew 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.
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’.
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