The summer of 2026 put the French railway network to a rigorous test.
In its seasonal assessment, the SNCF group describes a summer that was “ out of the ordinary ”, marked by exceptional temperatures, fires, storms and heatwaves that affected the infrastructure.
In this context, ridership nevertheless remained high.
According to SNCF, nearly 30 million travelers rode the TGVs in France and Europe during the summer. Ridership remained broadly stable compared with summer 2025, though with developments that varied by destination.
In its seasonal assessment, the SNCF group describes a summer that was “ out of the ordinary ”, marked by exceptional temperatures, fires, storms and heatwaves that affected the infrastructure.
In this context, ridership nevertheless remained high.
According to SNCF, nearly 30 million travelers rode the TGVs in France and Europe during the summer. Ridership remained broadly stable compared with summer 2025, though with developments that varied by destination.
The TERs carried 67.3 million travelers
The Alps notably recorded a 4 % rise in ridership, while the Occitan and Mediterranean coastal area grew by 5 %. By contrast, ridership declined by 2.7 % in the Southwest, mainly in Gironde.
The TERs carried 67.3 million travelers, i.e., 3 million more than in the summer of 2025. On the Intercités trains side, around 2 million travelers were carried, up 10 % year over year.
Another trend highlighted by the group: late bookings continue to rise. SNCF reports 4.5 million tickets purchased in the four days leading up to departure, i.e., a 2 % increase compared with 2025.
This high level of attendance was nevertheless accompanied by a deterioration in punctuality. SNCF notes that indicators were affected by heatwaves, fires and storms that hit the network during the summer.
The TERs carried 67.3 million travelers, i.e., 3 million more than in the summer of 2025. On the Intercités trains side, around 2 million travelers were carried, up 10 % year over year.
Another trend highlighted by the group: late bookings continue to rise. SNCF reports 4.5 million tickets purchased in the four days leading up to departure, i.e., a 2 % increase compared with 2025.
This high level of attendance was nevertheless accompanied by a deterioration in punctuality. SNCF notes that indicators were affected by heatwaves, fires and storms that hit the network during the summer.
The financial cost of disruptions amounts to 180 million euros since the start of the year
Intercités trains were particularly exposed to the consequences of climatic hazards. The SNCF reports 630 cancellations during the summer, of which 89 % were linked to weather conditions and the heat.
Heat and bad weather heavily strained the rail network, with 374 fire outbreaks recorded between June and August, as well as incidents related to thunderstorms.
Some services were also suspended preventively to avoid travellers being stranded on tracks in high heat.
Despite these disruptions, the group notes that a large portion of affected travelers were able to complete their journey on the planned day thanks to the measures in place. On the Paris-Clermont-Ferrand line, 90 % of customers thus completed their trip, versus 80 % on Bordeaux-Marseille and 85 % on Paris-Limoges-Toulouse. For night trains, 91 % of planned circulations could be ensured, compared with 99 % in 2025.
Heat and bad weather heavily strained the rail network, with 374 fire outbreaks recorded between June and August, as well as incidents related to thunderstorms.
Some services were also suspended preventively to avoid travellers being stranded on tracks in high heat.
Despite these disruptions, the group notes that a large portion of affected travelers were able to complete their journey on the planned day thanks to the measures in place. On the Paris-Clermont-Ferrand line, 90 % of customers thus completed their trip, versus 80 % on Bordeaux-Marseille and 85 % on Paris-Limoges-Toulouse. For night trains, 91 % of planned circulations could be ensured, compared with 99 % in 2025.
During the summer, SNCF specifies that 168,000 meal vouchers were distributed, as well as 1.5 million bottles of water.
The group indicates it handled 19,300 hotel rooms and mobilized 6,800 taxis to transport customers to their accommodations.
Furthermore, 1.9 million TGV customers were eligible for compensation for delays of more than 30 minutes.
The SNCF group estimates an 180 million euro loss of turnover since January 2026 due to climatic hazards, with 80 million euros recorded during the sole summer period.
The group indicates it handled 19,300 hotel rooms and mobilized 6,800 taxis to transport customers to their accommodations.
Furthermore, 1.9 million TGV customers were eligible for compensation for delays of more than 30 minutes.
The SNCF group estimates an 180 million euro loss of turnover since January 2026 due to climatic hazards, with 80 million euros recorded during the sole summer period.
SNCF aims to accelerate its climate-change adaptation plan
Beyond the summer 2026 bilan, the SNCF group presents this season as an accelerator for its climate-change adaptation plan.
In the short term, the group notably plans to better map areas exposed to heatwaves, fires, floods, or ground movements.
Preventive maintenance must also be strengthened on sensitive equipment, while spare parts stocks and supply chains must be secured.
SNCF also plans to bolster traveler information during climate episodes to better anticipate disruptions and facilitate the implementation of alternative solutions.
In the longer term, the group announces an adaptation plan covering four axes: making the network more resilient, adapting trains to extreme temperatures, protecting stations and maintenance centers, and better protecting staff and supporting travelers.
These adaptations will require substantial investments. SNCF Réseau estimates needs of 340 million euros per year to renew the catenaries, with that figure rising to 430 million euros per year from 2028.
The group also foresees 170 million euros by 2035 to adapt stations and heritage sites, 250 million euros for the buildings of the technicenters, and more than 400 million euros envisaged to adapt rolling stock to the effects of heat.
In the short term, the group notably plans to better map areas exposed to heatwaves, fires, floods, or ground movements.
Preventive maintenance must also be strengthened on sensitive equipment, while spare parts stocks and supply chains must be secured.
SNCF also plans to bolster traveler information during climate episodes to better anticipate disruptions and facilitate the implementation of alternative solutions.
In the longer term, the group announces an adaptation plan covering four axes: making the network more resilient, adapting trains to extreme temperatures, protecting stations and maintenance centers, and better protecting staff and supporting travelers.
These adaptations will require substantial investments. SNCF Réseau estimates needs of 340 million euros per year to renew the catenaries, with that figure rising to 430 million euros per year from 2028.
The group also foresees 170 million euros by 2035 to adapt stations and heritage sites, 250 million euros for the buildings of the technicenters, and more than 400 million euros envisaged to adapt rolling stock to the effects of heat.
Published by Amelia Brille 
