Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Paris to Milan Train Line Reopens After Lengthy Closure
After a 19-month shutdown, the vital rail link connecting the major European cities of Paris and Milan has been restored. Travelers can once again journey between these popular destinations as train services resumed earlier today, March 31. The service interruption had significantly impacted travel between France and Italy.
Landslide Caused Extensive Disruption
The extended suspension of train operations was a direct consequence of a substantial landslide in the Maurienne Valley, situated in the French Alps. On October 27, 2023, approximately 15,000 cubic meters of rock and debris cascaded onto a railway tunnel, severing a crucial transportation artery. This incident not only halted rail traffic but also caused disruptions to local roads, including a departmental route and the A43 motorway. The subsequent debris removal and repair efforts proved to be a protracted undertaking, resulting in a prolonged closure of the Paris-Milan rail line for over a year and a half.
Complex Recovery Efforts Prolonged Reopening
The initial recovery timeline was further extended due to the discovery of unstable areas and previously undetected cavities in the affected region. These unforeseen complications necessitated additional safety assessments and stabilization work, pushing back the reopening date.
Resumption of Train Services
SNCF Voyageurs has recommenced its Paris-Milan route, operating three round trips daily. Similarly, Trenitalia is set to resume its schedule of two daily round trips, offering increased travel options for passengers.
Industry Welcomes Reconnection
Alexandre Gallo, CEO of DB Cargo France and president of the French Rail Association (Afra), expressed enthusiasm about the service restoration. “This reopening is highly anticipated,” he stated. However, he cautioned that “it is projected to take until early 2026 to fully recover the pre-closure traffic volume.”
Capacity and Ticket Availability
With the return of SNCF’s three daily round trips, a total of 2,000 seats are now available for travel between Paris and Milan by train. Tickets for journeys are currently on sale through December 2025, allowing passengers to plan their future European travel.
Scenic Seven-Hour Journey
The train journey between Paris and Milan takes approximately seven hours, offering passengers a scenic route through the Alps and with stops at appealing locations, such as Turin in Italy.
European Rail Travel on the Rise
Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, conveyed his positive reaction to the reopening. During a press briefing, he noted, “We are witnessing a growing European enthusiasm for train travel.”
He further elaborated on the company’s European expansion aspirations. “Today marks a significant milestone in SNCF Voyageurs’ European ambitions. Currently, European routes constitute 22% of our high-speed traffic, and we are aiming to increase this to 30% by the year 2030.”