French Railway's Child-Free Train Class Sparks Major Controversy

SNCF's 'Optimum Plus' Service Bans Children Under 12, Drawing Government Criticism

France's state-owned railway company SNCF has ignited a fierce national debate with its introduction of a premium 'child-free' class on TGV high-speed trains. The new 'Optimum Plus' service, available on weekday Paris-Lyon routes, explicitly prohibits children under 12 years old, promising business travelers 'maximum comfort' and a 'quiet space' away from younger passengers.

Government Official Calls Policy 'Shocking'

Sarah El Haïry, France's High Commissioner for Children, has strongly condemned the move, calling it 'shocking' and arguing that 'a no kids policy is not an option for a public service'. In an interview with BFMTV, she emphasized that 'traveling with children is not a danger that needs to be corrected, but a reality that needs to be supported'.

The controversy gained momentum when popular parenting podcast 'Les Adultes de Demain' (The Adults of Tomorrow) highlighted the policy on Instagram, stating: 'Instead of creating wagons for children, SNCF is excluding children'.

Demographic Concerns Amplify Criticism

Critics have connected the railway policy to France's broader demographic challenges. According to INSEE data, France recorded more deaths than births in 2025 for the first time since World War II, with 651,000 deaths compared to 645,000 births. The fertility rate has dropped to 1.56 children per woman, the lowest since World War I.

As the podcast creators noted: 'We sound the alarm about the lack of children, but we create a world where we send the signal that they are not wanted'. This comes as President Emmanuel Macron has called for 'demographic rearmament' to address the declining birth rate.

SNCF Defends Niche Service

In response to the backlash, SNCF has defended its policy, stating that the Optimum Plus seats represent only 8% of available seating on affected trains. In a video statement on X, a senior manager explained: 'This means that 92% of other seats are accessible to everyone'. The company also emphasized that 100% of seats remain open to families on weekends.

SNCF claims the service isn't new but rather a rebranding of an existing premium class that previously had age restrictions. The railway company also noted they've faced pressure for years to create child-free spaces but have consistently refused, maintaining that 'our TGVs are spaces open to everyone, and we value that very much'.

Broader 'No Kids' Trend in France

The railway controversy reflects a larger trend in France, where El Haïry has previously spoken out against increasing numbers of hotels, restaurants, and vacation accommodations implementing 'no kids' policies. The debate highlights tensions between catering to business travelers demanding quiet, productive environments and ensuring inclusive, family-friendly public services.

As competition intensifies on European rail routes - particularly with Italian operator Trenitalia offering 'Area de Silenzio' (Silent Area) services on the Paris-Lyon route - SNCF faces pressure to differentiate its premium offerings while maintaining its public service mission.

El Haïry has announced she will meet with SNCF's director to discuss the child-free class policy, ensuring this debate will continue to evolve as France grapples with both demographic challenges and competing demands on public transportation.