The Nîmes – Montpellier loop: A mixed line, the first in France

This high-speed line includes 80 km of new line, 60 km of which run at high speed between Manduel, a town in the Gard department east of Nîmes, and Lattes, a town in Hérault southeast of Montpellier.

This line is the first mixed line in France, being used by passengers and goods trains – a technical prowess that opens the way to numerous innovations. It aims to significantly improve service quality for passengers, with the development of regional trains and greater accessibility for regional cities thanks to its high speed service.

The project also aims to improve performances for the transport of goods, notably to Spain, but also Italy and Northern Europe.

The vast site, which lasted four years, involved Colas Rail teams installing tracks and overhead lines, putting Colas Rail at the heart of European railways.

• 300 km of rails
• 500,000 tonnes of ballast
• 3,500 overhead line masts
• More than 48 high-speed trains run daily to Montpellier and Nîmes, including 12 return trips to Paris.