TGV Hendaye-Paris service delayed by 11.5 hours after catenary failure

A TGV train traveling from Hendaye to Paris-Montparnasse experienced an 11.5-hour delay on Thursday, August 20, 2026, after a catenary failure near Dax in the Landes department. The train, which was scheduled for a five-hour journey starting at 4:00 PM, became immobilized around 5:15 PM due to the broken overhead power line.

Passengers faced significant hardship throughout the night. After being stuck for several hours, travelers were moved to another TGV toward Bordeaux at approximately 2:00 AM. The delay was further compounded by night works on the high-speed line, forcing the train to use conventional tracks between Bordeaux and Paris. The service finally reached Paris at 8:30 AM the following morning.

Reports from passengers highlighted poor communication and difficult conditions on board, including concerns for children and a pregnant woman who required evacuation. A separate train service from Tarbes to Paris also experienced significant delays of over 10 hours.