Renfe launches this Thursday, July 13, the service between the stations of Barcelona-Sants and Lyon, France, thus starting its first high-speed line that will operate in the neighboring country. The first train will leave the Catalan capital at 8:22 a.m. and will reach the third largest French city at 12:30 p.m.
During the five-hour tour, stops will be made in the Spanish cities of Girona and Figueres Vilafrant, as well as in various French towns, specifically in Perpignan, Narbonne, Montpellier, Nimes and Valence, before reaching their destination.
The inauguration of the new service coincides with festive dates set for the neighboring country, since the premiere takes place only one day before July 14, when the French National Holiday is celebrated. The first services will be offered at a price of 29 euros for the entire journey, 19 euros to cross the border or 9 euros for routes between French stops.
The first of two international services
In two weeks, on July 28, the Spanish public company will launch its other new service in Gallic lands, with the connection between Madrid and Marseille, a route that will stop in Zaragoza, Camp de Tarragona, Barcelona, Girona, Figueres, Perpignan, Narbonne, Béziers, Montpellier, Nimes, Avignon, Aix en Provence and finally Marseilles, eight hours later.
In a first stage, the international AVE will only circulate from Friday to Monday, but in September –on the Lyon route– and in October –on the Marseille route–, Renfe will begin to operate its trains from Monday to Sunday, offering 28 weekly circulations.
The company thus continues with one of its most important international projects, after the French public operator (SNCF) broke its alliance with the Spanish company on the Spain-France international route. The two have now gone their separate ways, the gala with Ouigo in Spain and Renfe with these new services in France.
