France may ban child-free business class on trains
Selected high-speed TGV routes currently include a dedicated business class carriage where children under 12 are not allowed.
By David Flynn, January 30 2026
Backlash against the debut of child-free business class on France’s high-speed trains could see laws introduced which ban kid-free carriages on the basis of discrimination.
Earlier this month, the national French railway company SNCF launched a new Optimum business class offering to replace Business Première on selected routes featuring high-speed TGV InOui trains.
Promoted as a “premium, high-speed rail service”, the InOui network connects over 200 destinations across France and to neighbouring countries such as Germany at speeds up to 320 km/h.
Optimum comes with all the usual premium travel touches – access to airport-like business lounges, wide seats with a deep recline and power sockets, quality meals and dedicated Optimum hosts.
But SNCF also promoted what’s turned out to be a surprisingly controversial twist: high-speed TGV InOui trains include a dedicated quiet Optimum business class carriage which bans children under the age of 12.
Here's how SNCF promoted its kid-free Optimum business class experience on social media.
“Enjoy exclusive comfort in an entirely dedicated space, with a seating layout that preserves your privacy, for a quiet journey that's ideal for working or relaxing,” SNCF says.
“To ensure maximum comfort in the dedicated space, children are not permitted.”
The carriage is at the end of the train, which also prevents other passengers from walking through the Optimum carriage.
It all sounds sensible, especially when passengers are paying for the privilege: for example, the two-hour trip from Paris to Lyon is priced at €56 in economy but €180 for Optimum.
And the same age restriction reportedly applied to tickets issued for the former Business Première class.
The high-speed TGV Inoui trains include one dedicated Optimum carriage where children under 12 are not permitted.
But the move has sparked a wave of criticism from government officials and children’s rights organisations, with the measure being interpreted as a form of exclusion – and thus against the French Republic’s foundational motto of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
France’s high commissioner for children, Sarah El Hairy, has described the child-free ban as “shocking.”
“Giving the impression that the comfort of adults depends on the absence of children is unacceptable. Traveling with children is not a problem to be eliminated, but a reality to be supported.”
Popular podcast Les Adultes de Demain weighed in, declaring “a red line has been crossed” by SNCF excluding children from this carriage.
A Member of Parliament has now put forward a proposed bill to ban any and all No Children zones on trains as constituting “discrimination against a group of people in a public service.”
Some commentators have even linked the controversy to the broader context of declining birth rates in France.
In its response, SNCF points out that the Optimum carriage represents less than 8% of the total capacity of a TGV InOui train, and Optimum tickets are currently available only between Monday and Friday.
“This means that 92% of the other seats are available to everyone, and 100% on weekends,” said a SNCF spokesperson, adding that Optimum is “open to everyone aged 12 and over, as was already the case with our previous Business Première offering.”
SNCF president and former French prime minister Jean Castex has added that Optimum class is designed to meet the needs of business travellers seeking quiet workspaces, and does not undermine the presence of families elsewhere on the TGV trains, which include family areas and nursery spaces.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1270
If this law change goes through, I'd suggest the rail company change the terms of carriage in that class that strictly forbids any shouting, screaming or unnecessary moving about the cabin with a severe financial penalty for any breach.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 58
Yes, fortunately we had children that were very quiet, so travelling with them was rarely an issue.. but I am pretty sure that other parents are fully aware that their children can be a big problem on long journeys . So, as long as it is SPELT out that non conforming children MUST be moved to another section of the train WITH their parents, then this will just naturally sort out the issue.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 860
Very clever suggestion, kudos to you.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Jun 2018
Total posts 15
And ban the use of mobile phones, which is usually a noise problem with (very) much older "children"!
Perhaps a solution would be to have 2 first class carriages: one for passengers with children, the other for those without.
This is not a new issue, since some years ago it was raised as a problem on airlines with children (generally crying babies) in business class. A partial solution appears to be noise cancelling headphones, but that will not solve the running around concern on a train.
Of course the simple solution is for everyone to travel in economy class (remember, "equality") and let bedlam prevail!
30 May 2018
Total posts 37
Speaking on obile phone has always been banned inside the cabin of each carriage and call must be made in the vestibule between cabins or at the cafe. There are regular announcements and signed and it is inforced by conductors (and many passengers).
To be clear, there are 800 seats and 7 carriages, with 1st and 2nd class for families. The ONLY proposal is to ADD a 3rd Optimum class for business travels on the upper deck of one of the carriages at one end. The reaction is hysterical nonsense from entitled parents.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2024
Total posts 3
People, and in particular younger generations, have become increasingly entitled. How can this be offensive or discriminatory when children can travel in the vast majority of the available seating and transport space. But again, gutless idiotic politicians (appears we're not the only country suffering & afflicted with this parasitic plague) wishing to gain a few extra points at the polls, pander to the pathetic unthinking, emotionally-unintelligent populace. I hope the majority rise up and the imbecile loses his seat (pun intended) at their next elections.
18 Nov 2023
Total posts 32
If it infringes ‘Children’s Rights’ (or even ‘droits de l’enfant‘) to not be allowed to ride in a grown up’s carriage, then logically it must also be similarly offensive and demeaning to child sensibilities to not pay adult fares. There, problem fixed (and an unexpected and worthwhile boost for the SNCF balance sheet).
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
19 Jul 2023
Total posts 2
Bump up the price of child and infant tickets to 10 times that of an adult ticket. Problem solved.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
07 Mar 2018
Total posts 19
The age of entitlement. I could understand if all families were shut out of business class altogether but to squeal infringements of human rights when you still have access to 92% business class (just not the one carriage reserved for adults only) is just plain selfishness. Maybe just call it a quiet car and enforce the rules.
03 May 2013
Total posts 708
Kids under 10 don't belong in premium cabins. The potential of spoiling the trip of other premium pax is too high. Been there and done that. I acknowledge there are well behaved kids but in my many years of travel that's always been the exception. I won't even go into the entitled parents who don't seem to (want to) control their kids.
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