Yesterday, as the SNCF unveiled the interior design of its future TGV M at Paris-Lyon station, its challenger Trenitalia announced the opening of its summer sales and published fares for its next route Paris-Marseille, launched on 15 June with four daily return trips to start with. On this route, Trenitalia's Frecciarossa trains will serve Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport, Avignon TGV and Aix-en-Provence TGV. Call prices on the Italian company's website start at €27 in Standard class for travel to Aix-en-Provence, €37 in Business and €180 in Executive. TGVs on SNCF Connect running during the day on Monday 16 June, for example, are priced from €112 in 2nd class (€39 only on the 6.03am departure from Paris-Lyon) and €142 in 1st class (€96 on the 6.33am train). The battle promises to be epic.
It is on this axis that Paris-Marseille at the beginning of 2026, the national airline intends to position its first TGV MOnce they have been approved, they will be able to make the difference in terms of travel comfort on a brand new, ultra-design train. The platform Trainline which distributes the two carriers and enables instant fare comparisons, is playing its part. Yesterday, it also issued a press release welcoming the opening up of competition on the Paris-Marseille route, with customers now able to choose between 22 daily return trips with Ouigo, Inoui and Trenitalia. The precedent of " the arrival of Trenitalia on the Paris-Lyon route in December 2021 has already led to an average price reduction of -43% and an increase in reservations [on Trainline] of +334%, if we compare 2023 with 2019" says the distributor. But before Paris-Marseille, the two rail companies will also be crossing swords on the Paris-Milan that SNCF will reopen on 31 March and Trenitalia the following day, with two daily return trips. The latter will make a new stop at Oulx in Italy.
A 6th return trip for Paris-Lyon
Services to Lyon are improving all the time. In addition to the stops at Lyon Saint-Exupéry on its trains to Marseille and Milan, Trenitalia is continuing to strengthen its services within the city centre, with the addition from 15 June of a sixth daily return trip between Paris-Gare de Lyon and Lyon Part-Dieu. And to meet demand more than ever, since mid-February the Italian airline has been operating multiple units on the Paris-Lyon route on certain departures. This will double the number of seats on offer and maintain attractive fares.
