France is launching its first competitive tender for publicly subsidised night train services, signalling a change in how passenger rail operations are delivered under European Union regulations, RailTech reports. 

A sourcing notice – Avis de sourçage relatif à la fourniture de services de transport ferroviaire de voyageurs sur les lignes de nuit – has been issued to gauge interest from potential operators, with a formal procurement process expected to begin in early May 2026.

The notice, published by the Directorate General for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobilities (Direction générale des Infrastructures, des Transports et des Mobilités, DGITM) under the French Ministry of Transport, is designed to gather feedback from companies with the capability to operate long-distance night trains.

This step follows EU rules that encourage member states to open Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts to competition, a practice that remains largely untested in France.

Operators with relevant experience are invited to submit expressions of interest and sign a confidentiality agreement by 15 September 2025. Those admitted to the next stage will receive a project overview and a detailed questionnaire, with individual interviews for shortlisted candidates scheduled for later this year.

The focus is on the Trains d’Équilibre du Territoire or Trains for a Balanced Territory (TET) night routes, which receive public subsidies to maintain regional connectivity where services are not commercially viable. The current market study is intended to prepare these TET lines for competitive tendering.

Sweden and Norway

A similar initiative in Sweden sought operators for night train services between Sweden and Norway but ended without any bids, reflecting the ongoing shortage of suitable night train rolling stock in Europe. This scarcity remains a significant challenge for potential operators seeking to launch new routes.

Declaration of intention

Although the French notice does not yet constitute a formal tender, it indicates the government’s intention to align with EU directives while maintaining national oversight. 

Applicants must demonstrate proven technical and operational expertise in running passenger services, either domestically or internationally. Details regarding the specific routes to be offered and the provision of rolling stock have not yet been finalised, with the Ministry reserving the option to consult participants on these issues at a later stage.

As the EU moves towards a more competitive and transparent allocation of public subsidies, France is cautiously testing this new framework. 

Whether the initiative will attract credible operators capable of delivering night train services, or whether it will face challenges similar to Sweden’s stalled effort, remains uncertain.

More on night trains and transcontinental train travel

• Back-on-Track Europe warns the ‘night train revival’ is a false dawn.
• Iron Rhine gets renewed political attention in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
• Spain’s Renfe sends Talgo VI rolling stock to Leo Express in Czechia and Slovakia.
• Leo Express: Bratislava – Ostend night train not a firm commitment.
• NMBS / SNCB sees popularity increase of international train travel.
• ÖBB prioritises Railjet over Nightjet: Is the night train revival a False Dawn?.
• Leo Express wants night train service from Slovakia to Ostend, Belgium.
• Deutsche Bahn’s Antwerp – Brussels Airport – Leuven – Cologne ICE aims to attract tourists and Port of Antwerp-related business.
• VIDEO | Berlin start-up Nox to launch night trains with entirely private rooms from 2027.
• EUROPEAN SLEEPER | Brussels to Barcelona night train to stop in Avignon, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Girona.
• Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB launch Frecciarossa EuroCity trains linking Berlin, Munich, Milan, Rome and Naples.
• The end of the Brussels – Berlin ÖBB Nightjet.
• REVIEW | European Sleeper night train.
• European Sleeper now “truly” riding to Venice.
• Dutch budget train GoVolta postponed after not getting funds.
• Eurostar scraps direct Amsterdam – Brussels – Marseille summer train service.
• European Commission commits to single-ticket train travel, Back-on-Track unconvinced it will happen.
• Switzerland, Czechia and Belgium top railway network density in Europe.
• SNCF Réseau confirms feasibility European Sleeper night train linking the Netherlands, Belgium, France to Barcelona in Spain.
• Arriva surveys customers for Groningen – Amsterdam – Utrecht – Antwerp – Brussels – Paris train.
• 31 MARCH 2025 | Reopening France – Italy Fréjus Rail Tunnel kickstarts Paris to Milan direct train connection.
• OUIGO ‘slow’ train between Brussels and Paris from 19 December 2024.
• Arriva Tri-Country Train between Maastricht, Liège and Aachen will start on Sunday 9 June 2024 without OV-chipkaart.
• European Sleeper night train service from the Netherlands and Belgium to Barcelona now delayed to 2027.
• EU train travel report sees increase in cross-border passenger trains and easier bookings.
• Brussels to Luxembourg by train under 2 hours by 2030?.
• Eurostar and five more train operators joined the European Agreement on Journey Continuation.
• ÖBB’s new Nightjet sleeper cars accommodate solo travellers with Mini Cabins.
• Trenitalia orders new Hitachi Frecciarossa trains suited for France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
• ÖBB’s Nightjet to connect Berlin to Brussels from December 2023.
• EUROCITY EC-8 | Basel to Cologne in SBB’s Panoramic Car.
• Trenitalia / FS confirms interest in connecting Spain to Brussels, Amsterdam and Berlin.
• Sampling NS’ new train and future Benelux rolling stock ICNG.
• REVIEW | Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 Paris – Milan in Business Executive.
• RAIL TOUR OF EUROPE | How easy is touring Europe by train?.
• Eight train connections between the Netherlands and Belgium by 2030?.
• REVIEW | ÖBB Nightjet Amsterdam – Zurich night train.
• Nightjet Vienna/Innsbruck to Brussels, or how we got thrown off the train in Aachen.
• Why the expensive ÖBB Nightjet is really not that expensive.
• Reliving the era of the great railway journeys, travelling overnight on Nightjet.
• How we plan a big rail trip.
• Ticket Distribution: the failure of railways to sell themselves.
• To use night trains in Portugal and Spain or not?.
• Night trains in Europe.
• Low-cost, long-haul trains to conquer Europe?.
• Fly now before it’s taxed and consider using the train instead.

Channel Tunnel updates

• Gemini Trains partners with Uber for Stratford to France Channel Tunnel route.
• CHANNEL TUNNEL | UK and Germany renew London-Berlin vows, Virgin Trains promise Alstom Avelia Stream train sets.
• 2025 | The Channel Tunnel prepares for more trains, more competition and new destinations.
• United Kingdom and Germany are aiming for a direct London – Berlin train link.
• Eurostar and St. Pancras Highspeed back major station expansion to double capacity amid growing international demand.
• EUROSTAR | London – Frankfurt, London – Geneva and Amsterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Geneva from 2030?.
• Alstom wants its double-decker trains to ride through Channel Tunnel.
• CHANNEL TUNNEL | Uber Trains-branded Gemini Trains plan London-Brussels and London-Paris route via Stratford.
• London to Switzerland direct train moves a little closer with new bilateral agreement.
• Eurostar calls for UK national strategy and investment to shape future of Channel Tunnel Rail and promises 50 new trains.
• Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) plan to launch a new high-speed link between London and Paris.
• London St. Pancras Highspeed pledges financial support for cross-Channel rail services.
• Competition for Eurostar? Temple Mills International Depot has space for competitor’s trains.
• London St Pancras Highspeed and Getlink aspire to to triple train services to France, Belgium and the Netherlands and add services to Germany and Switzerland.
• Heuro wants to operate high speeds trains between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and London from 2028.