The LGV Sud-Est is a high-speed rail line, which links Paris' and Lyon's suburbs, in France. The inauguration of the first section between Saint-Florentin (Yonne) and Sathonay (Rhône) on 22 September 1981 marked the beginning of the re-invigoration of French passenger rail service.
The TGV system's compatibility with the regular rail network avoided the need for new infrastructure construction to reach existing train stations in the dense urban areas of Paris and Lyon.
The distance from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Lyon (Part-Dieu) is 425 km. The LGV route is 409 km long; by avoiding built-up areas between Paris and Lyon (particularly Dijon) this enables a route 87 km shorter than the regular line (512 km). There are no tunnels.
The line includes various connectors to the regular rail network: