France’s national railway operator has introduced a new “child-free” class on its trains, prompting a heated debate over the place of children in public spaces. Designed for business travellers and those seeking a “premium, personalised travel experience,” the company says the new Optimum Plus class offers “a dedicated quiet space for travellers, who want to enjoy greater comfort.”
The new Optimum Plus class is restricted to passengers aged 12 and over. It has replaced the former Business Première offer since January and is currently being trialled on TGV services between Paris and Lyon. Regular first-class and standard carriages remain available on those trains.
The operator promises “exclusive comfort in a fully dedicated first-class carriage, with seating arrangements designed to preserve your privacy” and says that the carriages are located at the end of the train to prevent other passengers from walking through the area.
French trains now offer the option to reserve a seat in a space guaranteed child-free. I suppose the next step will be “a journey guaranteed free of old people, sick, or disabled passengers. #RoadToFascism #sncf
— None (@KerMafalda) January 24, 2026
However, the launch has sparked controversy, with users criticising what they see as a clear message that adults’ comfort depends on the absence of children.
The parenting podcast Les adultes de demain warned that “a red line has been crossed,” arguing on Instagram that, rather than creating spaces adapted for children, the rail operator had chosen to exclude them altogether.
They were not alone. Some critics have linked this move to France’s stagnating birth rate, suggesting that it is “proof that the declining birth rate is also cultural; children are becoming so rare that we are now intolerant of their presence.” Others pointed out that pets are welcome for an extra fee, implying an uncomfortable hierarchy of priorities.
As inspired by the current (justified) rightist outrage here, at the SNCF now proposing ‘no kids allowed’ passenger cars to its customers: if you can't stand the presence of children, you should die.
— Partisan (@_A_Prayer) January 23, 2026
Speaking on French television, Sara El Haïry, the country’s High Commissioner for Children, shared these concerns, stating that she was shocked by the message conveyed by the measure. “Travelling with children is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be embraced,” she said.
“Look out: we are having fewer children, we have demographic problems, and yet we are sending out such blunt signals.”
El Haïry said she would meet with SNCF group chief executive Jean Castex to discuss the issue.
In response, SNCF defended the initiative, stressing that the class is only available Monday to Friday and represents just 8% of seat capacity. “This means that 92% of seats during the week and 100% at weekends are open to everyone,” a spokesperson told Euronews Travel. They added that the toddler package had never been available in the previous Business Première area, which had operated for years “without any negative feedback.”
Non, les enfants ne sont pas exclus de nos TGV. Notre offre Optimum occupe moins de 8% de l'espace d'un TGV INOUI et du lundi au vendredi uniquement. Chaque année, un nombre croissant de familles voyagent à bord de nos TGV INOUI. Nos trains sont pensés pour tous et nous y tenons. pic.twitter.com/iWc7zNNUmd
— SNCF Voyageurs (@SNCFVoyageurs) January 21, 2026
Insisting that “children are very welcome on board our trains,” SNCF highlighted its family fares, family areas, and nursery spaces. They added that they welcome around 300,000 children each year through their Junior & Compagnie programme.
The issue is neither new nor uniquely French. Other countries have taken different approaches.
Italy’s Trenitalia, for example, offers a silent zone designed to ensure a calm journey, but does not formally prohibit children.
Meanwhile, in the UK, a proposal has even been floated to ban loud music and phone use on public transport.
Eurostar has opted for a more inclusive approach by providing board games and activities to keep young passengers occupied.
However, according to a survey by board game publisher Asmodee, 64 per cent of travellers said they had been disturbed by children while travelling, and 65 per cent of parents admitted they had felt embarrassed by the disruption caused by their own children.
