France’s New TGV Inoui Trains: Redefining High-Speed Travel with Style and Comfort

• Emphasising improved comfort, access, and green travel, the new TGV Inoui trains in France are being introduced by 2026.
• Other smaller features of what the new fleet is expected to have include spacious seating, onboard Wi-Fi, and a two-storey bistro that serves local French cuisine.

France is ready to replace its next generation of TGV Inoui trains, which aim to provide an elegant, spacious, and environmentally friendly travel experience. The new generation will be commissioned into service on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille line in 2026. The new train set is said to include modern designs, better accessibility, and state-of-the-art technology, including revamped interiors.

Being Stylish and Comfortable

The interiors of the new TGV Inoui trains have taken into consideration the passengers’ comfort. The interiors that were developed by the French agency AREP together with the Japanese firm Nendo draw inspiration from flowing rivers, with the gentle hues of red, blue, and yellow that soothe the eye.

Also breathtaking is the bistro called Le Bistro, located on the second level in carriage four. The bistro will serve upscale French regional cuisine, fine wines, and, of course, the much-loved coquillettes jambon ham pasta, while the grocery store on the lower deck will invite self-service. Dining and shopping are about to be taken to the next level on board.

More Space, More Flexibility

The new TGVs will be roomier, accommodating as much as 740 passengers—20% more than the previous ones. For the first time in TGVs, the number of carriages can be adjusted according to demand; first-class can be transformed into second, while luggage areas may be increased or decreased depending on seasonal or market requirements.

The trains will be more accessible to wheelchair passengers, with a better boarding system and larger spaces dedicated to wheelchairs.

Better Seats and Facilities

First class will benefit from wider seats that can recline electrically and have personal storage shelves as well as room for cabin luggage.

In the second class, more features will include adjustable headrests, personal power sockets, phone holders, and 5 cm more legroom than the current TGV. For families, there are baby-changing facilities, a microwave oven, and larger platforms that offer easier areas to move around with kids.

Sci-tech Amusement Travel

Travelling in the latest trains of the future will be sky-high, with onboard Wi-Fi and swoon-inducing reading lamps in vibrant yellow colours to warm up the “space-for-up-to-eight-bicycles-sassy” touch for eco-friendly travel.

A lesser number of doors between the coaches will offer very easy travel, as well as alleviate the hassle of looking after the luggage with a better possible view through the cabins.

Greener and More Effective

Apart from making a journey comfortable, the new TGV Inoui trains are also claimed to be environmentally friendly. The future trains are 20% more efficient than their existing counterparts in terms of energy consumption and boast a remarkable recycling level of 97%. The changes mark a giant leap towards sustainable railway travel.

Concepts Are Born Through Collaboration

The realisation of these trains began with a collaborative relationship between the French rail manufacturer Alstom and SNCF Voyageurs, a subsidiary of France’s state-owned railway company SNCF. In 2016, the two companies began working together on this ambitious project.

Due for Departure in 2026

In the summer of 2025, TGV Inoui will begin test operations before carrying its first passengers in 2026. These new-generation trains will mark progress in French rail travel for passengers with more pleasant journeys, with their modern design and accessible and sustainable features.