French Rail Start-Up Velvet Gets Approval to Challenge SNCF on High-Speed Routes

France’s high-speed rail market could soon become more competitive after French rail start-up Velvet received an important initial approval to operate passenger services on some of the country’s busiest routes.

The company plans to launch high-speed trains connecting Paris with major cities, including Bordeaux, Nantes and Angers, potentially giving travellers more choices when booking journeys across France.

Velvet is targeting a service launch from 2028, although it must still complete further regulatory and safety requirements before its trains can begin carrying passengers.

A New Challenger for France’s Rail Market

For decades, France’s high-speed rail network has been dominated by the state-owned operator SNCF and its well-known TGV services.

However, changes to European rail regulations have gradually opened national passenger markets to greater competition. France’s passenger rail sector was officially opened to competition in 2020, creating opportunities for new companies to enter routes traditionally dominated by SNCF.

Velvet is now positioning itself as one of the latest French companies hoping to take advantage of this changing market.

The company’s initial approval from the French transport authorities represents an important first step toward becoming a new operator on the country’s high-speed network.

Before launching services, however, Velvet will still need to obtain the necessary safety certification from France’s rail regulator.

Paris, Bordeaux and Atlantic Coast Routes

Velvet plans to focus on routes linking Paris with destinations in western France and along the Atlantic coast.

The company has identified Bordeaux, Nantes and Angers among the cities it hopes to serve.

According to its plans, Velvet aims to add around 10 million additional passenger seats to the French rail network.

The proposed services could provide direct connections between Paris and several major destinations, with many journeys expected to take approximately two hours.

These routes are already among the most important for business and leisure travel in France, meaning the arrival of another operator could have a significant impact on the market.

More Choice for Train Passengers

The arrival of Velvet could give passengers more flexibility when choosing high-speed rail services.

Greater competition could encourage operators to improve timetables, passenger services and ticket prices. While it remains too early to predict exactly how fares will change, competition has already reshaped rail markets in several European countries.

Travellers could benefit from a wider choice of departure times and operators on popular routes.

The development also reflects a broader shift taking place across Europe, where governments and regulators are increasingly opening railway networks to private and international competitors.

Velvet Prepares Major Investment

Velvet has secured significant financial backing as it prepares to enter the high-speed rail market.

The company has raised around €1 billion from a French investment fund, providing it with the financial resources needed to develop its services and purchase new trains.

A major part of that investment is expected to go toward acquiring 12 Avelia Horizon trains from French manufacturer Alstom.

The Avelia Horizon is part of a new generation of high-speed trains designed for greater passenger capacity and improved operational efficiency.

SNCF is also introducing the same generation of trains as it modernises its own high-speed fleet.

This means Velvet will enter the market with modern rolling stock capable of competing on some of France’s most heavily travelled routes.

Leadership With SNCF Experience

Velvet’s leadership also has strong experience in the French railway industry.

The company’s president, Rachel Picard, previously held a senior position at SNCF.

She described the latest approval as an important stage in Velvet’s preparations to begin operations.

The company must now continue developing its trains, recruiting and training staff and preparing the operational systems required to run a large-scale high-speed railway service.

Launching a new rail operator is a complex process, particularly on high-speed networks where safety requirements and infrastructure coordination play a major role.

Competition Is Growing Across France

Velvet is not the only company hoping to challenge SNCF’s long-standing dominance.

Several other operators are already active in, or preparing to expand into, the French passenger rail market.

French start-up Le Train is developing its own plans, while Spain’s national rail operator Renfe and Italy’s Trenitalia have also been expanding their presence in France.

Trenitalia has already become an important competitor on selected French routes and has ambitions to increase its role in the European high-speed market.

Competition is also growing beyond France, particularly on international services.

New and existing operators are exploring opportunities on major routes linking European capitals, including connections between Paris and London.

A Changing Future for European Rail

The rise of companies such as Velvet highlights the rapid transformation taking place in Europe’s railway industry.

For many years, national rail networks were dominated by state-owned operators with limited direct competition.

European Union efforts to liberalise passenger rail services are gradually changing that model.

Supporters of greater competition argue that new operators can improve services, create innovation and offer passengers more options.

However, new companies also face major challenges, including the high cost of purchasing trains, obtaining access to rail infrastructure and meeting strict safety standards.

For Velvet, securing its first operational approval is only the beginning.

What Happens Next?

The next major step for Velvet will be obtaining safety certification from the relevant French railway authorities.

The company must also finalise its train purchases, recruit employees and prepare the systems needed to operate regular passenger services.

If its plans remain on schedule, travellers could see Velvet trains entering service from 2028.

Its arrival would mark another significant step in the opening of France’s high-speed rail market and could create the strongest new domestic competition SNCF has faced in years.

For passengers travelling between Paris, Bordeaux, Nantes, Angers and other major destinations, the result could eventually be more trains, more seats and greater choice.

As Velvet moves from start-up ambitions toward real railway operations, France’s famous high-speed network may be preparing for one of its biggest competitive changes in decades.