History and archives
Our legacy—tangible and intangible—spans nearly two hundred years of railway history. Stations, engineering works, iconic trains, depots, workshops and archives together paint a vivid picture of the incredible number of innovations that have revolutionized both the rail industry and our own Group since our founding in 1938.
News
How Corail coaches revolutionized SNCF
Discover the history of these trains celebrating their 50th anniversary in a video produced by INA.
Trains & film—a love story
Rail and film share a timeless connection, their histories intertwined with artistic and emotional resonance. We look back at this enduring legacy.
Why did France adopt a standard time?
You probably didn’t know, but it’s all due to the development of railways.
What's hidden under the Gare de l'Est in Paris?
A cinema theatre
Track 9 ¾
A bunker
We own
90
listed buildings and engineering works
Our rolling stock collection has
600
historic trains
We maintain over
50 km
of public archives of national importance
Our history
France’s first railway line opened in 1827—the birth of the rail industry. We look back at nearly 200 years of history, from railway workers, the creation of SNCF, our darkest hours, electrification and high-speed rail.
Our archives
SNCF has the largest corporate archive in France. SARDO is the working memory of our railway operations and those who created them, with historical and legacy documents available on request.
La Cité du Train
La Cité du Train in Mulhouse is Europe's largest railway museum, offering a variety of themed tours. Visitors can explore trains ranging from the oldest steam locomotive—built in 1844—to the 2013 Euroduplex TGV.
The Orient Express
The legendary Orient Express was launched in 1883 at the Gare de l’Est in Paris. A timeless icon of the art of travel, it ranks among the crown jewels of France’s rail legacy.
SNCF & history
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