Despite the closure of ski lifts in winter sports resorts, SNCF has decided to maintain its train traffic plan for the Christmas holidays.
"We have not made any particular changes compared to the previous week," said a spokesperson.
All trains scheduled for this period will be running well in a few days, no later than December 15th.
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"The French will regain freedom of movement with the lifting of confinement from December 15," Minister Delegate for Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari confirmed on Tuesday, explaining that there was "no problem in booking" a ticket. train or plane.
“You will have 100% trains that will be available and tickets will be exchangeable and refundable until the day of departure.
There is no problem to book ", he detailed, on LCI, adding that the offer of plane tickets would be tripled compared to the period of confinement and the tickets exchangeable or refundable until the day. departure.
4.5 million tickets for high-speed trains alone have thus been issued.
Of which a third (1.5 million) at reduced prices, or 15% more than last year.
600 TGV, including the Ouigo, but also 80 Intercités, as well as 8200 TER and 6200 Transiliens, will thus run during all school holidays.
“In recent days, we have seen a lot of last minute reservations, observes the same spokesperson for the SNCF.
With a distribution from Paris similar to other years.
Lyon as the first destination, followed by Bordeaux and Marseille.
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The ski resorts in the blur
However, the context has cooled the desire to go skiing.
“The calls from worried customers multiplied the day after Emmanuel Macron's announcement last week, regrets Yariv Besehra, CEO of tour operator Travelski.
90% of them, for whom it is impossible to leave without imagining skiing, wished to be reimbursed, which we did, rather than having their stay postponed.
The professionals of the sector denounce the vagueness in what will be possible to do or not this winter.
A lack of visibility that pushes holidaymakers to postpone their stays.
Result: attendance at French stations may be very low at the end of the year.
Mountain professionals regret it with all the more annoyance that, on the other side of the border, in Switzerland, the ski lifts are in operation.
Some holiday residences have decided not to open in the Alps, others are anticipating an occupancy rate of only one third compared to normal.
“The ski lifts are the attractive element par excellence of a resort,” explains the Secretary of State for Tourism, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.
Their closure makes it possible to limit the mixing of populations and prevent the arrival of a third wave of the epidemic.
One question remains: will alternative activities to skiing (snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or hiking, etc.) be enough to attract holidaymakers sufficiently?