Connecting regions across France: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA)
Find out how we support nearly ten thousand jobs in the region and work with of all our stakeholders to help make lives better.
We contribute to the region’s economic growth
10,677
SNCF Group employees in 2024
€525m
in purchases from local suppliers
61%
of our suppliers—569 in all—are SMEs and very small businesses
Expanding rail freight
In 2024, Rail Logistics Europe (RLE) transported about 5.69 million tonnes of goods to or from the PACA region, including 5 million tonnes of freight forwarded.
Actively enhancing quality of life in the region
ICF Habitat, making living together better
In Marseille’s 12th arrondissement, a large-scale project is underway in order to transform a whole neighbourhood: la Grande Bastide Cazaulx. This plan, which includes various housing demolition and reconstruction phases, will span 25 years. More accessible condos meeting new standards for energy consumption and preserving surrounding nature: this reorganisation is carried out by ICF Habitat Sud-Est Méditerranée, our social landlord, with the support of the Marseille City Council, the Aix-Marseille Provence Métropole and the French State and it will offer residents an improved living environment. Let’s take a tour of this work site helping to make local life better.
ICF Habitat, making living together better
Increasing rail traffic with ERTMS
The High-Performance Marseille-Ventimiglia (HPMV) project will see the European Traffic Management System (ERTMS) rolled out on this line by year-end 2030. It’s a first in France! This cutting-edge technology will boost train traffic and enhance interoperability across Europe’s rail network. It’s a key feature of the new Provence-Côte d’Azur line and a vital improvement for daily commutes in the region.
Battery-powered TERs
The PACA region is one of 5 regional partners behind the “Battery TER” project. Led by SNCF Voyageurs in collaboration with Alstom, this initiative replaces traditional diesel engines with lithium batteries. By the end of December 2025, these modified trainsets will begin trial commercial service on the Avignon TGV-Sorgues-Carpentras and Marseille-Côte Bleue-Miramas lines.
Modernizing regional rail
SNCF Réseau is improving the region’s rail infrastructure to ensure greater safety, reliability and connectivity. This includes boosting punctuality, increasing service frequency, and expanding rail access to more communities.
Key projects include:
- Rolling out Argos and ERTMS signalling systems between Marseille and Vintimiglia. Cost: €54.3 million, co-funded.
- Computerizing traffic control for Rognac, Berre, Les Roques, Miramas and Saint-Martin-de-Crau, with remote management via the West Provence centralized network. Cost: €150 million, funded by SNCF Réseau.
- Replacing overhead lines between Bandol and Solliès-Pont. Cost: €9.5 million, funded by SNCF Réseau.
- Upgrading the Avignon - Salon - Miramas line. Cost: €150 million, funded by SNCF Réseau.
- Upgrading marshalling facilities at Miramas. Cost: €19.1 million, co-funded.
- Consolidating the Saint-Laurent tunnel at Eze-sur-Mer. Cost: €5 million, funded by SNCF Réseau.
- Upgrading the line between Drap and Breil, including restoring and consolidating the Braus tunnel. Cost: €22.1 million, co-funded.
- Preparation for the extension of Marseille Saint-Charles station.
Driving the modal shift to rail with SERMs
The new Provence-Côte d’Azur line (LNPCA) plans to boost daily train capacity by 66% and deploy three metropolitan regional express services (SERM) around Aix-Marseille, Toulon, and Nice and the Côte d’Azur. The aim is to convince 62% of local car drivers to switch to rail travel by 2035—that’s 23 million new passengers.
Expanding Marseille Saint-Charles Station with Les Halles Saint Charles
A core feature of the new Provence Côte d’Azur line is the planned extension of Marseille Saint-Charles station, which includes excavating an 8-km tunnel. The project will significantly include connections between Aix-Marseille, Toulon, Nice and the Côte d’Azur, transforming regional mobility.
The upgraded station will serve as a multimodal hub, connecting seamlessly with other transport networks. It’s part of the plan to launch a metropolitan regional express service (SERM) for the Greater Aix-Marseille-Provence area. When it starts operating in 2035, the station will welcome 50% more passengers—that’s nearly 19 million riders a year.
Supporting local businesses at Salon-de-Provence station
As part of our “Place de la Gare” programme, since 2022 we’ve hosted Provence Services in our 185 sq. m. premises at Salon-de-Provence station. Provence Services helps CEOs of very small businesses, craftspeople, and the self-employed with their administrative tasks, accounting, and sales and marketing. It also offers a coworking space—just one way we support local entrepreneurs, both on an ad hoc basis and over the long term.
Teaching the next generation about rail safety
During the 2023-24 school year, as part of our IMS school outreach programmes, SNCF employees taught rail safety to 4,118 students in the region, from primary through secondary school.
SNCF Foundation—empowering young people for the future
Organic farming and biodiversity workshops. Environmental and water habitat awareness programmes. A community urban farm. These are just some of the youth initiatives we support in the region. We also have 10 regional partners who combat school dropout by helping teens take charge of their careers and succeed in their personal lives.
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