More space, more services, more comfort: that's the promise made to passengers on the Paris - Clermont-Ferrand line. Not on board the trains, but on the platform at Paris Bercy Bourgogne - Pays d'Auvergne station. The SNCF has just completed an in-depth renovation of the Intercités lounge, with a new décor designed in partnership with the French vintage poster brand Pignon sur Rue.
Nevers, Moulins-sur-Allier, Vichy and Riom: the areas served by the Paris-Clermont-Ferrand line are all showcased in this exhibition, which is open to members of the Grand Voyageur Le Club programme and holders of an Intercités ticket with the Flex 1ère, Liberté 1ère, forfait 1ère or tarif militaire (or assimilé) 1ère fares.
Open Monday to Saturday from 6.30am to 7pm, this Intercités lounge can accommodate up to 50 passengers and now has three separate areas for working, relaxing and/or enjoying a coffee, all with power sockets, a WiFi connection and a selection of press titles as well as information leaflets from the tourist offices of the towns and cities served by the line. There are also two booths where you can make phone calls in complete privacy, without disturbing the other passengers in the lounge.
While the new decor focuses on the re-use of second-hand furniture, the lounge has a CSR spirit, with catering provided by social economy partners such as Café Joyeux and a brand of organic and fair-trade tea, pastries from the Farinez'vous integration bakery and fruit supplied by the APEI association. And to orchestrate it all, La Conciergerie Solidaire, with four employees on social integration schemes, will be taking turns to welcome customers wishing to make the most of this new salon.
A railway line in need of repair
This new premium lounge is good news for business passengers on this route, which is considered to be difficult or even cursed. Indeed, the Paris-Clermont-Ferrand route suffers from repeated delays and cancellations due to frequent rolling stock breakdowns. A significant improvement in service and on-board comfort is planned with the introduction of new Oxygène trainsets in 2027 to replace Corail trains that have reached the end of their lifespan. This equipment will have more capacity, with around ten extra seats in 1st class, 2nd class and for bicycles. Wi-Fi will also be available on board during the journey. This should be enough to satisfy passengers on this Intercités line, which has long been neglected by the rail company in the same way as the Paris-Limoges-Toulouse route?
