Last weekend saw the debut of a new high-speed route linking France and Spain, a direct line linking Barcelona and Paris in 6.5 hours.
This new railway line contributes to strengthening ties between the two countries and also to putting an end to the ‘railway borders’ between France and Spain; in addition to the clear economic and tourist opportunities that this new connection will offer with two trains per day in each direction.
Currently, the section between Nîmes and Perpignan is on a conventional line, so high-speed trains must slow down when running on it. However, officials have assured that the intention is for the Nîmes-Montpellier section to be adapted to high speed in 2017, as planned, which would cut 20 minutes off the journey from one city to the other.
The first direct AVE of the Barcelona-Paris line departed last 15th at 9.20 am from Sants station and was scheduled to arrive in the French capital at 3.53 pm. However, it was not the first time that a train has departed on this route, as it was launched the same day at 7.15 a.m. with a train departing in the opposite direction, from Paris in the direction of Sants station, which arrived in Barcelona at 1.40 p.m.
This train is undoubtedly good news and a great advantage for locals and Parisians, but also for many tourists from other parts of the world who will use this line to reach both cities.
