TGV Lyria, the Franco-Swiss high-speed rail operator, is redefining luxury train travel with the launch of its new Première Signature class. Officially rolled out on February 5, this exclusive class replaces Business Première, offering an upgraded, seamless, and indulgent journey between France and Switzerland. Central to this transformation is a refined onboard culinary experience, thanks to the renewed partnership with gategourmet, ensuring passengers enjoy exceptional, high-quality dining throughout their trip.
A Premium Travel Experience
The new Première Signature class caters to business travelers and high-end leisure passengers, occupying an exclusive section on the upper deck of coach 11 in each Duplex train. With just 38 seats, this intimate setting provides a serene atmosphere enhanced by features like tinted windows for added privacy. To elevate service, an onboard agent will personally welcome travelers at the platform and provide attentive care throughout the journey.
Bicultural service remains a key element, with both French and Swiss conductors onboard to ensure a seamless experience. This cultural harmony extends to the beverage selection, featuring an exquisite range of French and Swiss wines, curated by renowned sommelier Antoine Petrus and refreshed every six months. These wines perfectly complement the culinary excellence that defines the gategourmet offering on board.
gategourmet: Elevating Culinary Standards at 300 km/h
At the heart of the Première Signature experience is the gastronomic excellence curated by gategourmet, a global leader in inflight and railway catering. The renewed agreement with TGV Lyria, extending until 2030, ensures passengers enjoy elevated dining that rivals the best fine-dining experiences.
Chefs Michel Roth and Danny Khezzar have designed a menu that highlights locally sourced French and Swiss ingredients, aligning with Lyria’s commitment to quality and sustainability. Travelers can savor premium meal options tailored to different times of the day, from a refined breakfast to a gourmet lunch or dinner service. A range of choices—including meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes—ensures every palate is satisfied. For those needing a quicker option, light snacks are available to maximize productivity during travel.
Additional luxurious touches include a welcome drink, hot towel service, and a thoughtfully designed travel kit, reminiscent of those found in first-class airline cabins. This initiative underscores Lyria’s goal of offering “top-of-the-range mobility” and an experience that transcends conventional train travel.
Enhancing the Journey Beyond the Plate
Beyond its culinary advancements, the Première Signature class brings a host of service improvements. Passengers can take advantage of dedicated fast-track boarding at Paris Gare de Lyon via a special control gate, as well as access to the SNCF Grand Voyageur lounge before departure. Plans are also underway to secure access to premium coworking spaces near major Swiss stations, further catering to business travelers.
For an enriched onboard experience, Wi-Fi bandwidth has been improved, offering a seamless connection for work or leisure. The digital press selection now includes leading titles like Le Figaro, Financial Times, Paris Match, and Vogue, ensuring passengers stay informed and entertained throughout their journey.
A Bright Future for Premium Rail Travel
With a stellar 83% passenger satisfaction rate and record-breaking 5.7 million travelers in 2024, TGV Lyria continues to thrive. The introduction of Première Signature marks another milestone in its commitment to offering an unparalleled travel experience. As the demand for high-speed, premium rail services grows, Lyria’s partnership with gategourmet ensures that culinary excellence remains at the heart of its luxury offering—setting a new standard for train travel in Europe.
About gategroup
gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. For further information, please visit: www.gategroup.com
