Paris-Bordeaux in 45 minutes: the new TGV-S supersonic train announced for 2028

Imagine leaving Paris and arriving in Bordeaux in just 45 minutes. This dream could become reality as early as 2028, thanks to a supersonic train project jointly announced by SNCF and the French government. A revolution that redefines our relationship with time and distance.

The TGV-S, a game-changing supersonic train

Called TGV-S, for “Train à Grande Vitesse Supersonique”, the project aims to transform travel between France’s major metropolises. Bordeaux is one of the first cities to benefit from this direct link to Paris. From now on, the idea of living in one city and working in another makes perfect sense.

This announcement marks a turning point for the French rail network. The technology chosen is inspired by Hyperloop and magnetic levitation trains. The trains will run on a dedicated infrastructure, designed for faster, smoother journeys.

For regular travellers between Paris and Bordeaux, this time saving represents a major change. At present, the journey by conventional TGV takes around 2 hours. With the supersonic train, this time would be divided by almost three.

“This project marks a new era for rail transport in France,” says SNCF in a press release.

1,000 km/h on French rails

The new supersonic train is expected to reach a speed of 1,000 km/h. That’s more than twice as fast as the current LGV. This technical achievement places France at the forefront of global rail innovation.

This technology is based on principles that have already been tested elsewhere in the world. However, its large-scale application in France is a first. Engineers have been working on this ambitious concept for several years.

• Maximum design speed: 1,000 km/h
• Journey time Paris-Bordeaux: 45 minutes
• Technology: magnetic levitation inspired by Hyperloop
• Infrastructure: dedicated lines separate from the conventional network
• Gradual commissioning: from 2028

Bordeaux and Paris at the forefront of the project

The Paris-Bordeaux route is one of the first planned for this supersonic train. Subsequently, the Paris-Lyon and Paris-Marseille routes will be deployed. This strategy allows us to test the system on a controlled route before extending it.

In Bordeaux, the future line would depart from Saint-Jean station. In this way, passengers would be able to keep their usual habits while benefiting from this new service. This choice also facilitates connections with other modes of transport.

As soon as it opens, 2 daily departures will be offered, at 8am and 6pm. These timetables meet the needs of business travellers. In addition, it is estimated that over 20 million passengers a year could use the new route.

For the people of Bordeaux, this new proximity to Paris opens up unprecedented opportunities. Meetings in the capital become possible in half-days. In return, Parisians could more easily take advantage of Gironde’s lifestyle.

A tight but ambitious schedule

The schedule calls for work to start in autumn 2026. Progressive commissioning would start in 2028. Two years seems a short timeframe for a project of this scale.

However, the technical teams seem confident. Preparatory studies are already well advanced. As a result, construction work could start rapidly once the necessary permits have been obtained.

12 billion euros for the supersonic train

The total cost of the project is estimated at almost 12 billion euros. This amount covers infrastructure, trains and technical equipment. The State, the European Union and several private partners would provide the financing.

This substantial budget reflects the ambition behind this supersonic train. It is a long-term investment to modernize the French network. The expected economic spin-offs justify this major financial commitment.

“We want to bring France’s major metropolises closer together, while reducing the carbon footprint of transport”, says the Ministry of Transport.

The environmental dimension is central to this project. By offering an ultra-fast alternative to air travel, the TGV-S could reduce CO2 emissions on these routes. This is a powerful argument at a time when the ecological transition is becoming a priority.

For the economic players in both metropolises, this new link represents an opportunity. Trade could be intensified thanks to this fast connection. The supersonic train would become a major lever for regional development.

• supersonic train