45 years of high-speed travel and still one step ahead

For 45 years, the TGV has been bringing travellers and regions closer together, facilitating exchanges and helping to boost the appeal of the regions it serves. To celebrate this anniversary, SNCF Voyageurs is inviting the public to discover this journey through an immersive exhibition in Paris.

From 25 to 27 September 2026, SNCF Voyageurs invites you to the free exhibition ‘45 Years of the TGV: Always a Step Ahead’ at the Espace Commines in Paris. 
 

Photographs, videos and iconic artefacts punctuate a journey dedicated to trains, records, professions and the evolution of travel. A driving simulator and a virtual reality experience also offer a different perspective. Games, reading, knitting, food tastings, personalised items and a photo studio round off the programme.

Since 27 September 1981, the TGV has not only saved time: it has given us more of it for the moments that matter. 
 

Over the course of its journeys, it has been part of millions of people’s lives. First weekends away from home, crucial meetings, family holidays, reunions with friends… Behind every destination, there is a story. More than 3 billion passengers have travelled on TGVs operated by SNCF Voyageurs since 1981.

These stories come to life thanks to the daily dedication of those who prepare the trains, drive them, maintain them, and welcome and assist passengers. Whether at stations, on board trains, in maintenance depots or operations centres, the teams at SNCF Voyageurs bring high-speed rail to life, both in France and across Europe. 
 

Over the past 45 years, their roles and expertise have evolved alongside trains and changing travel patterns. One ambition remains the same: to offer everyone a safe, reliable and comfortable journey.

Celebrating this anniversary means looking back at how far we’ve come, whilst keeping our eyes firmly fixed on the future. More versatile, more accessible and more energy-efficient, the new generation of TGV INOUI trains will embody the continuation of this history of innovation in the service of passengers. 
 

Because after 45 years, the essence remains the same: connecting destinations, regions and, above all, the stories of those who travel with us.