TET regional trains: state of play
Operated by SNCF Voyageurs under the Intercités brand, TET regional trains support France’s national cohesion mission by linking major French cities not served by high-speed rail. The French State acts as the mobility authority for these lines, and awards service contracts through competitive tenders grouped by route packages. New operating contracts are scheduled to take effect between late 2026 and late 2030.
What are regional TET trains?
Regional TET trains (trains d’équilibre du territoire) provide medium- and long-distance service between major French towns and cities not connected by high-speed rail. The French State acts as the mobility organizing authority (MOA) for these lines, which are currently operated by SNCF Voyageurs under the Intercités brand.
7 daytime lines:
- Bordeaux - Toulouse - Marseille
- Paris - Clermont-Ferrand
- Paris - Orléans - Limoges - Toulouse
- Béziers - Clermont-Ferrand
- Nantes - Bordeaux
- Nantes - Lyon
- Toulouse - Hendaye
- Nancy - Lyon (annual service, 2025)
8 night trains:
- Paris - Toulouse
- Paris - Rodez
- Paris - Latour-de-Carol
- Paris - Cerbère
- Paris - Tarbes
- Paris - Briançon
- Paris - Nice
- Paris - Aurillac
Operating contract between the French State and SNCF Voyageurs
These services operate under an agreement between the French State (as MOA) and SNCF Voyageurs that defines operating conditions and financing for 2022-2031. The 2018 Rail Reform Act introduced a gradual shift to competitive tendering for TET services, organized by line package.
This is the last contract directly negotiated with SNCF Voyageurs for these routes. Once it expires at the end of 2031, all TET lines will be subject to competitive tendering.
SNCF Voyageurs contract renewed for Nantes–Bordeaux and Nantes–Lyon service
The Nantes–Bordeaux and Nantes–Lyon routes were the first TET packages put out to tender. And on 28 January 2025, the State opted to renew its contract for these two lines—a 10-year agreement starting 13 December 2026—with SNCF Voyageurs.
This contract provides for additional seating on the Nantes-Lyon line and more frequent service between Nantes and Bordeaux, along with enhanced passenger comfort aboard the Coradia Liner trains that have been plying these routes since 2017.
POLT and Paris-Clermont lines: unprecedented upgrades
Every year 4.5 million passengers travel on the Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse and Paris-Clermont-Ferrand lines. Both are vital to the regions they serve, and major upgrades are now in progress. SNCF Réseau, the French State, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region are jointly investing nearly €3 billion by 2027 to deliver lasting improvements to the rail network.
Timeline for opening TET lines up to competitive tendering
Share the article