“The classic TGV is dead”, was how one French newspaper signaled the news this week.
The headline was in relation to the official launch of InOui on Thursday by French rail chiefs SNCF.
InOui trains will now steadily be rolled out across the French rail network to replace the old TGV trains.
Although the change is more to do with marketing than any revolution of the French rail system.
InOui trains are basically rebranded TGVs and will act as SNCF's premium high speed service to go alongside the low-cost Ouigo trains that offer budget rail tickets to various cities in France.
InOui trains will be white, grey and a shade of red rather than the traditional blue TGVs whilst the Ouigo trains are pink and turquoise.
I love the TGV trains in France but however much SNCF is paying for branding in recent years, they've paid too much. Where do they find these terrible branding companies? https://t.co/KRXT9z4xkc
— ChrisInParis (@ChrisInParis) September 21, 2018




I used the TGV regularly, mainly for business, for about ten years; however, when I mistakenly used their luggage service between home near Poitiers for delivery to Cannes last year, they lost the case, and closed down their delivery service from lunchtime Saturday to midday Monday; “..it’s the south M’sieu”and this was a business trip. They had collected my case on Thursday, for delivery on Saturday. But it didn’t arrive.
I had meetings to go to, and had nothing bar the clothes I was wearing; and the luggage service phone rang, and rang and rang, form 11.00 am on Saturday until it was answered at 10.00 am on Monday morning
No apology, no reaction to my complaint. So, in my humble opinion, they can screw themselves, now I drive, or fly. They can paint the trains any colour they like, the service is amateur at best.
I am a little concerned about the reduction in luggage space. Some of us use these trains to get to and from airports. Luggage space is a NEED not just a want.