SNCF suspends Intercités services over the July 11–12 weekend due to extreme heat

Paris – 10.07.2026: SNCF will cancel numerous Intercités trains during the weekend of 11 and 12 July 2026. The company cites the ongoing heat and the associated risks to passengers and infrastructure as reasons for this measure. As a result, some long-distance trains will be proactively removed from the timetable, while TGV and Ouigo services are expected to continue operating as a priority, subject to availability.

According to SNCF Voyageurs and the infrastructure operator SNCF Réseau, the company is primarily addressing two major risks. One is that high temperatures on and around the tracks can accelerate rail expansion, deformation, and material fatigue. The other is the increased risk of air-conditioning system failures in older rolling stock. Particularly sensitive sections are being closely monitored, and speeds will be reduced or operations suspended locally where necessary.

Which trains will be cancelled will be announced by SNCF on an ongoing basis via the SNCF Connect app and official information pages. The selection is based on risk analyses by infrastructure management, assessing factors such as the condition of the track bed, the age of overhead lines, the load from freight and passenger traffic, and forecasts of maximum air and track temperatures. At locations where sensors or previous inspections have indicated vulnerabilities, cancellations will be prioritized.

At the end of June, the Ministry of Transport had already called for standardized preventive measures on the rail network. Minister Philippe Tabarot indicated that temporary timetable changes would be permitted where they contribute to safety. SNCF is informing passengers about services such as the distribution of drinking water at affected stations, enhanced signage and information, and alternative transport by bus or similar means where this can be arranged at short notice. However, it notes that replacement transport capacity may be limited, especially on regional routes.

SNCF recommends that passengers reconfirm their bookings on the day of departure, allow extra travel time, and make use of rebooking and refund policies. Passengers travelling on Flex or Semi-Flex fares can usually make changes without a fee, and the company says it will offer flexible solutions if a booked Intercités service is cancelled. If travel is essential, passengers should consider alternative routes, such as TGV services with available seats.

These measures are driven by the increasing frequency of periods of extreme heat in France. In response, the railway company adjusts its operational processes seasonally, for example through temperature-dependent speed management, targeted maintenance at key points, and retrofitting air-conditioning systems. SNCF emphasizes that these are preventive measures intended to ensure safe operations during extreme weather and prevent secondary damage to tracks and rolling stock.