Arson and Vandalism Disrupt TGV Services in South-East France

On October 27, 2025, significant disruptions to high-speed TGV train services occurred in south-east France following deliberate acts of vandalism and arson targeting critical rail infrastructure.

The French national rail operator SNCF reported an arson attack that severely damaged signalling and communication cables on the line between Avignon and Lyon. Additionally, there were reports of cable theft near Bollène and two separate fires affecting tracks between Valence and Lyon. These incidents caused the cancellation of numerous services and forced rerouting of trains onto slower conventional lines, notably affecting routes to Marseille, Avignon, and Nice. The disruptions caused overcrowding at major stations and led to extended travel times for thousands of passengers, especially impacting the half-term holiday period.

SNCF emergency crews have been working overnight to repair damaged cables, with the company expecting normal train services to resume by Tuesday morning, October 28. Despite this, some delays are likely to persist. The incidents have raised serious concerns regarding the security and vulnerability of France's rail infrastructure.

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot publicly condemned the vandalism, stating, “Last night, railway cables were deliberately set on fire… These unacceptable acts of vandalism are severely disrupting traffic.” Authorities launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the sabotage. The damage is expected to cost millions of euros to repair. Such railway sabotage has historically been used as a form of protest in France, notably disrupting services ahead of major events like the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The mishaps underscore the challenges facing SNCF as it continues to invest in modernizing the high-speed network amidst increasing threats of infrastructure attacks. Passengers have been advised to monitor service updates closely and adjust travel plans accordingly during this disruption.