SNCFs

SNCF, or Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français, is France's national state-owned railway company. It was created in 1938 through the nationalization of competing private railways and the consolidation of their networks, forming a single railway operator for passenger and freight traffic as well as for rail infrastructure management.

The SNCF Group comprises several entities, including SNCF Voyageurs (passenger transport, which operates high-speed TGV services, Intercités and the OUIGO low-cost brand), SNCF Réseau (infrastructure manager responsible for tracks, signalling and stations after the separation of infrastructure from operations), Gares & Connexions (management of stations), and SNCF Logistics (freight and logistics activities). The group also oversees international rail activities through various subsidiaries and brands.

In France, passenger services are delivered under the TGV, Intercités, OUIGO and TER networks; TER services are regional services operated in cooperation with regional authorities. Internationally, SNCF operates cross-border services such as Eurostar links to the United Kingdom and Belgium, with the historic Thalys operation having been integrated into Eurostar. The OUIGO brand also runs low-cost international routes.

Governance is provided by the French state, which holds the majority stake and exercises oversight through the Ministry of Transport. The company operates within the European rail market framework, with mandated access to the national network and ongoing reforms to separate infrastructure management from train operations.