French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu signed a memorandum of understanding on 7 May in Toulouse regarding the high-speed line between Bordeaux and Toulouse, accompanied by three ministers: Philippe Tabarot (Transport), David Amiel (Budget) and Françoise Gatel (Territorial Planning).
The two-page document establishes in its sixth and final article an “irreversible political commitment by the parties”, backed by the immediate release of €500 million in ministerial credits to launch tendering procedures.
A €14bn project with funding still to be secured
The total cost of the scheme is estimated at €14 billion, split between the state (40%), local authorities (40%) and the European Union (20%).
Budgetary constraints had stalled the project for more than eighteen months, raising concern among the 24 co-funding local authorities. Jean Castex, former Prime Minister and current SNCF chairman, also attended the signing to ensure the commitment would translate into concrete action.
Public or private model: one month to decide
The government has one month to decide on the funding model: public management or public-private partnership (PPP). Elected local representatives unanimously favour the public model, which they consider both more cost-effective and faster to deliver.
Public procurement processes must be launched before the end of 2026, with Minister Tabarot pointing to October–November as the target timeframe. The new 220-kilometre line could enter service between 2032 and 2033, cutting journey times between Bordeaux and Toulouse from two hours to one.