LGV Atlantique

LGV Atlantique
Overview
System	SNCF
Status	Operational
Locale	France (Rhône-Alpes)
Termini	Gare Montparnasse, Paris; southwestern branch: near Tours; western branch: near Le Mans
Operation
Opened	1989-1990
Owner	RFF
Operator(s)	SNCF
Technical
Line length	232 km (144 mi); + 52 km (32 mi) (western branch)
No. of tracks	Double track
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge
Electrification	25 kV 50 Hz, Tours bypass 1.5 kV DC
Route map

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The LGV Atlantique is a high-speed railway line running from Paris (Gare Montparnasse) to Western France. It opened in 1989-1990. It divides into two parts at Courtalain, one going westward to Le Mans (towards Brittany and Pays de la Loire), the second one going southwestward to Tours (towards Aquitaine).

[edit] Route

The line leaves Gare Montparnasse to cross Paris's southern suburbs, partly under the Coulée Verte. This is a tunnel above which footpaths and recreational areas have been created, to reduce the effect of the LGV running through the area. The line at this point follows the route of the former railway line from Paris to Chartres. TGVs coming from the north or southeast of France via the LGV Interconnexion Est join the line at Massy. After the new Massy TGV station, the line passes through the Villejust tunnel and then follows the A10 motorway. Near the Saint-Arnoult toll plaza, the LGV turns south and leaves the motorway. The line then follows the ligne classique from Paris to Vendôme until the junction at Courtalain.