by InTrieste
High-speed rail services between Milan and Paris are set to resume this spring, marking a significant recovery for one of Europe’s key transportation corridors. The reopening follows months of extensive repairs after a devastating landslide in August 2023 buried a crucial tunnel in France’s Maurienne Valley, forcing the closure of the route.
French railway operator SNCF and Italy’s Trenitalia announced on Tuesday that services will restart on March 31 and April 1, respectively. The restoration of the line will once again connect the two major European cities, offering passengers a fast and sustainable alternative to air travel.
Trenitalia will operate two round trips per day aboard its sleek Frecciarossa trains, while SNCF will run three daily round trips on its high-speed TGVs. The approximately seven-hour journey includes stops in Lyon, Chambéry, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Modane, Oulx, and Turin, serving both international travelers and regional commuters.
The reopening of the Milan-Paris line comes after engineers and construction crews spent months removing thousands of tons of rock and debris from the affected tunnel. The landslide had disrupted not only passenger services but also freight operations, causing logistical challenges for businesses relying on cross-border rail transport.
In a move signaling its growing presence in the French market, Trenitalia also announced the launch of a Paris-Marseille high-speed service beginning June 15. The new route, with a travel time of just three hours and 20 minutes, represents what Trenitalia described as a “decisive step” in its expansion efforts beyond Italy.
The restoration of Milan-Paris rail services underscores the resilience of Europe’s transportation infrastructure and the growing demand for efficient, high-speed train travel as a viable alternative to short-haul flights. With both SNCF and Trenitalia now back on track, passengers can look forward to a smoother, more connected journey across borders.
