European Archaeology Festival Returns to France With 1,000 Events Over 3 Days

Q: Why will the new direct London-to-Switzerland train link take nearly a decade to become a reality?

The London-to-Switzerland rail link is unlikely to arrive before the 2030s because it is still only at the memorandum-of-understanding stage and requires years of technical, regulatory and operational work. Eurostar, Swiss Federal Railways and SNCF Voyageurs have agreed to develop the project, but they still have to solve some of the hardest issues in international rail: how UK border and security checks would be handled for direct Swiss services, what infrastructure changes are needed, and which intergovernmental agreements must be signed for trains running through France and the Channel Tunnel. The operators also need to secure train paths on already busy networks, design workable timetables, and ensure they have rolling stock that is compatible with the different national systems and Channel Tunnel safety rules. That is a major constraint for any new cross-border route. Timing is also tied to fleet expansion. Eurostar’s broader growth plans, including new long-distance routes, depend on new trainsets expected from around 2030 onward. Until those trains are delivered and certified, launching a direct Swiss service is difficult. So the delay is not about lack of demand. In fact, demand is strong, with London a major air market from Switzerland. The long wait reflects the scale of the planning: border formalities, infrastructure, international approvals, train availability and timetable capacity all have to be aligned before direct services can start.

3 articles · Updated · The Connexion · Jun 8

More than 1,000 events across France will mark the 17th Journées européennes de l’archéologie this weekend, running from June 12 to June 14.
The three-day festival is the 2026 edition of the European archaeology event, with France hosting activities nationwide rather than in a single venue.
The program adds to France’s packed June calendar, alongside major travel and sports developments including Eurostar’s Swiss Alps rail plans and the start of the World Cup this week.