Despite a long-standing rivalry, Rennes and Nantes have concluded that closer cooperation serves both their interests. Although a proposed merger failed during France’s major regional reform in 2015, the two metropolitan areas have maintained an open relationship that requires regular fine-tuning. On Monday, a significant step forward was taken by the Brittany region, which adopted a new rail service plan to better connect the two cities. Within weeks, the same vote will go before elected officials at the Pays-de-la-Loire regional council to confirm the investment.
From September 2027, residents will benefit from “nearly one train every hour” linking the two capitals in 1 hour and 15 minutes, according to both regions.
Service to Increase by 30%
Under the plan, the regional express train (TER) offering will increase by 30%, reaching 26 daily connections on weekdays and 16 at weekends. The stated objective is clear: to “fill the gaps in the morning and afternoon” and “satisfy strong demand.” While service performs well during peak hours, it becomes patchy in the middle of the day, forcing travellers to wait up to two hours for a TER that takes two hours to cover the 100 kilometres. It is an offering that is hardly “express” and clearly not competitive with the car, despite its undeniable environmental benefits.
By increasing frequency, the two regions hope to meet growing demand driven by soaring fuel prices. The move may also help relieve pressure on heavily used morning and evening trains.
Passenger Numbers Surge
The Brittany region has seen ridership on its regional trains rise by 60% between 2019 and 2025, a success that shows no sign of fading in 2026. In the first six months alone, ridership grew by 8%, according to regional president Loïg Chesnais-Girard. The region will also improve its offering between Quimper and Vannes with four additional daily connections on the southern arc.
Pressure on Stations and Infrastructure
The planned increase in service comes as stations in both Rennes and Nantes face mounting challenges, including extreme heat that has turned new station buildings into ovens during heatwaves. The rail expansion also coincides with broader activity in the sector, as SNCF opens reservations for year-end travel and competition on high-speed lines intensifies.
