LGV Atlantique
Encyclopedia
The LGV Atlantique is a high-speed railway line running from Paris
(Gare Montparnasse
) to Western France
. It opened in 1989-1990. It divides into two parts at Courtalain
, one going westward to Le Mans
(towards Brittany
and Pays de la Loire
), the second one going southwestward to Tours
(towards Aquitaine
).
to cross Paris's southern suburbs, partly under the Coulée Verte. This is a tunnel above which footpaths and recreational areas have been created, to reduce the effect of the LGV running through the area. The line at this point follows the route of the former railway line from Paris
to Chartres
. TGVs coming from the north or southeast of France via the LGV Interconnexion Est join the line at Massy. After the new Massy TGV station
, the line passes through the Villejust
tunnel and then follows the A10 motorway. Near the Saint-Arnoult
toll plaza
, the LGV turns south and leaves the motorway. The line then follows the ligne classique from Paris to Vendôme
until the junction at Courtalain
.
1 Le Mans is located on the western branch of the LGV Atlantique.
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(Gare Montparnasse
Gare Montparnasse
Paris Montparnasse is one of the six large terminus railway stations of Paris, located in the Montparnasse area in the XIVe arrondissement. The station was opened in 1840, and rebuilt completely in 1969...
) to Western France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It opened in 1989-1990. It divides into two parts at Courtalain
Courtalain
Courtalain is a commune in the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
, one going westward to Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
(towards Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
and Pays de la Loire
Pays de la Loire
Pays de la Loire is one of the 27 regions of France. It is one of the regions created in the late 20th century to serve as a zone of influence for its capital, Nantes, one of a handful so-called "balancing metropolises" ¹...
), the second one going southwestward to Tours
Tours
Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
(towards Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
).
Route
The line leaves Gare MontparnasseGare Montparnasse
Paris Montparnasse is one of the six large terminus railway stations of Paris, located in the Montparnasse area in the XIVe arrondissement. The station was opened in 1840, and rebuilt completely in 1969...
to cross Paris's southern suburbs, partly under the Coulée Verte. This is a tunnel above which footpaths and recreational areas have been created, to reduce the effect of the LGV running through the area. The line at this point follows the route of the former railway line from Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to Chartres
Chartres
Chartres is a commune and capital of the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. It is located southwest of Paris.-Geography:Chartres is built on the left bank of the Eure River, on a hill crowned by its famous cathedral, the spires of which are a landmark in the surrounding country...
. TGVs coming from the north or southeast of France via the LGV Interconnexion Est join the line at Massy. After the new Massy TGV station
Gare de Massy TGV
Massy TGV is a TGV railway station in Massy, France. Massy TGV is a new station, located in Île-de-France, was built for the LGV Atlantique. Thus certain trains serve at Montparnasse Station and this station simultaneously, although it is not allowed to use the TGV for such a short distance...
, the line passes through the Villejust
Villejust
Villejust is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France.Inhabitants of Villejust are known as Villejustiens.-References:** -External links:* *...
tunnel and then follows the A10 motorway. Near the Saint-Arnoult
Saint-Arnoult
Saint-Arnoult is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:*Saint-Arnoult, Calvados, in the Calvados département*Saint-Arnoult, Loir-et-Cher, in the Loir-et-Cher département*Saint-Arnoult, Oise, in the Oise département...
toll plaza
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
, the LGV turns south and leaves the motorway. The line then follows the ligne classique from Paris to Vendôme
Vendôme
Vendôme is a commune in the Centre region of France.-Administration:Vendôme is the capital of the arrondissement of Vendôme in the Loir-et-Cher department, of which it is a sub-prefecture. It has a tribunal of first instance.-Geography:...
until the junction at Courtalain
Courtalain
Courtalain is a commune in the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
.
Stations
The LGV Atlantique serves the following stations:- Paris MontparnasseGare MontparnasseParis Montparnasse is one of the six large terminus railway stations of Paris, located in the Montparnasse area in the XIVe arrondissement. The station was opened in 1840, and rebuilt completely in 1969...
- Le MansGare du MansGare du Mans is a railway station serving the town Le Mans, Sarthe department, western France. It is situated on the Paris–Brest railway, Le Mans–Angers railway and the non-electrified Tours–Le Mans railway.-Services:The following services call at Le Mans:...
1 - Vendôme
- ToursGare de ToursGare de Tours is a railway station serving the city Tours, Indre-et-Loire department, western France. It is situated on the Paris–Bordeaux railway, the Tours–Saint-Nazaire railway, and the non-electrified Tours–Le Mans railway...
1 Le Mans is located on the western branch of the LGV Atlantique.
History
- 1 January 1983: creation of SNCFSNCFThe SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
new line no. 2 committee - 25 May 1984: public utility declaration
- 15 February 1985: official beginning of works at Boinville-le-GaillardBoinville-le-GaillardBoinville-le-Gaillard is a commune in the Yvelines department in north-central France.-References:*...
- 1 July 1987: laying of first LGV Atlantique rail at AuneauAuneauAuneau is a commune in the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
- 24 September 1989: line opens from MontrougeMontrougeMontrouge is a commune in the southern Parisian suburbs, located from the center of Paris, France. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe...
to ConnerréConnerréConnerré is a commune in the Sarthe department in the Pays de la Loire region in north-western France.-References:*... - 18 May 1990: TGV world speed recordTGV world speed recordThe TGV holds a series of world speed records achieved by SNCF, the French national railway, and its industrial partners...
of 515.3 km/h - 25 September 1990: southwestern branch opens
- 27 December 1990: baby born on a TGV Atlantique train
See also
- TGVTGVThe TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
- High-speed rail in France
- LGV Sud Europe AtlantiqueLGV Sud Europe AtlantiqueThe LGV Sud Europe Atlantique , also known as the LGV Sud-Ouest, is a high-speed railway line in the early stages of construction, running between Tours and Bordeaux, in France. When built, it will be used by TGV trains operated by SNCF, the French national railway company. The project has been...
-the extension to the existing LGV Atlantique line