For the past two weeks, the night train that connects Bigorre to the capital has changed its route, taking on the historic route of the Blue Palombe. A new switch that has not disrupted the frequency of the trains, on the contrary.
After years of absence, the night train that connects Tarbes to Paris quickly found its cruising rhythm. Put back on track on December 12, 2021, the line experienced some disruptions during its first few weeks, as the connection was not always guaranteed to its terminus in Tarbes, stopping at Toulouse.
The hiccups on the line are no longer part of the program, as since December 22, the night train between Bigorre and the capital has resumed its historic route, that of the emblematic Blue Palombe, which has transported generations from the Hautes-Pyrénées. Thus, the Pyrenees are now connected to Paris via the Atlantic facade and through Lourdes, Pau, Orthez, Dax, and Bordeaux, with an extended travel time now approaching twelve hours. “These trains, which pass through big cities, quickly found their audience,” explains the SNCF. During these first two weeks, “even if it is too early to draw a significant conclusion,” one night train out of five in both directions was fully booked (400 passengers per train) during this period. While January may be a “slower” month for Intercités trains, reservations remain “dynamic” according to the SNCF.
The success is giving ideas to passengers. Solicited by the “Yes to the Night Train” collective, several officials have requested the President of the Republic to relaunch the East-West night trains, especially the one that connects Hendaye to Geneva, via Lourdes and Tarbes.
The night train runs every day. It departs from Tarbes at 7:00 PM and arrives at Paris Austerlitz at 7:17 AM, via Lourdes. In the other direction, it leaves the Parisian station at 10:12 PM for an arrival in Tarbes at 9:38 AM.
All liO regional train tickets will be offered at a rate of €1 per person on all lines (up to Avignon, Tarascon-sur-Rhône, Agen, Pau, and Brive) for all audiences on January 6 and 7. Connection journeys will require the purchase of 2 tickets (1 ticket at €1 for each liO train). To meet the expected demand, the SNCF will increase the number of available seats.
