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Eurostar could launch direct ‘wine line’ to Bordeaux

Brits with a penchant for fine French wine could be in luck, as Eurostar considers the launch of a direct train between London and Bordeaux that's already been dubbed the "wine line".

Eurostar could launch direct 'wine line' to Bordeaux
One of Bordeaux's vineyards. Photo: AFP

A new branch of the French high-speed rail network, connecting Tours and Bordeaux, is scheduled to be completed in summer 2017.

If incorporated into the Eurostar network, as the company's CEO hinted in an interview, the journey time from London to Bordeaux could be cut by over two hours, and remove the need to change trains, making the trip from St Pancras to the vineyards much more convenient.

It would also be good news for the 16,100 British expats living in Aquitaine, the region where Bordeaux is capital, who could travel back to the UK in just four and a half hours.

Currently Eurostar offers direct trains to Paris, Lille, Lyon, Avignon and Marseilles, as well as a seasonal service to ski resorts.

“We are always looking at new opportunities and the southern France route, which is just coming up to its first full year, has proved really popular,” a press officer for Eurostar told The Local.

He seemed confident that “wine line” to Bordeaux, famed not just for its wine but also for its long summers and historic city centre, would also be successful, pointing out that plenty of Brits spend their holidays there.

“But at the moment our focus is on Amsterdam,” the press officer said, referring to the new direct line set to come into service next year.

The 302km high-speed track, which has been under construction for four years already, has come at a price tag of around €7.8 billion.

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