Since the hiatus of the Pandemic, many of our clients have favoured a more relaxed, not to mention greener, ways to get to France - via the cross-channel ferries and the excellent rail network.
Eurostar have also spotted the trend and are expanding their network of high-speed rail links that connect France, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. This includes the Nightjet trains that are well worth taking a look at.
One of the flagship routes that has been anticipated for some time is a direct high-speed rail link between London and Bordeaux. It looks like things are hotting up as two companies, Spanish based Evolyn and Richard Branson's Virgin group, race to get their proposals in place and get the project moving. In January 2025, the pressure has really started mounting as it is reported that the Office of Rail and Road in the UK is likely to decide that, in addition to Eurostar, there is only the infrastructure available at train maintenance hubs to support one other international high-speed rail provider.
In addition to Bordeaux, other cities on the list for a direct connection with London are Geneva, Marseille, Cologne, Frankfurt and Zurich.
The move away from being reliant on air travel looks to be a long-term shift as there has been a change in people’s preferences on where to search for a base in France. British buyers in particular have long favoured Brittany, Normandy and the Pas-de-Calais because of the proximity to ferry ports. However, when planning to travel to France by train, good access to train stations, rather than airports, is an increasingly preferred option for those looking for property further south. Electric mopeds or a run-around car kept at the property for use while there, completes the logistical plans.
We eagerly await further news of the new London to Bordeaux direct train as there is an excellent rail service from Bordeaux to the towns and villages all along Dordogne river valley. If you are interested in being able to hop to-and-from your pied-à-terre in southern France, without entering the fray at the airport, this could be a really interesting area to explore.
Just as an aside, one important note to mention if you are taking your car to France on either the Eurostar or the ferry this summer, due to Brexit you need to have a ‘UK’ sticker on your car. The old ‘GB’ ones are no longer permissible. Don’t ask me why…..?
Moving swiftly on from Brexit and back to exploring France by train….. We have a selection of properties in the Dordogne valley that would be ideally placed for the owners to make the most of the new rail route. Do get in touch to discuss your property search criteria and we'd be more than happy to 'cast the net' to find properties that might fit the bill.