Pyjama Protest ‘Partially’ Victorious: New Operator for Paris Sleepers

The “pyjama party” protest held by French night train advocates at Paris Gare de l’Est has been partially victorious. After the ‘Oui au train de nuit!’ campaign group gathered 91,000 signatures to protest the axing of sleeper services from Paris, a new operator has stepped in. The Dutch cooperative European Sleeper has announced it will take over the Paris to Berlin route, which was set to be abandoned by ÖBB’s Nightjet service in December due to cuts in French government subsidies.
Nicolas Forien, a spokesperson for the activist group, called the new service a “partial victory” for the tens of thousands who signed the petition. While the Paris-Vienna route remains lost for now, the preservation of the Berlin link is a major win for sustainable travel. The new European Sleeper service is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026, ensuring the gap in service is not permanent.
The new operator is planning a high-capacity service, running three times a week. Departures from Paris Gare du Nord are expected on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings, with return journeys from Berlin on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This schedule offers a reliable alternative for passengers who were set to lose their overnight connection.
European Sleeper is also making significant changes to the operation. The train will be routed via Brussels, a new path that differs from the Nightjet’s route through Frankfurt and Strasbourg. Furthermore, the company’s co-founder, Chris Engelsman, highlights a major capacity boost. The new train will have 12 to 14 coaches all going to Berlin, carrying 600-700 passengers, a significant increase from the split Nightjet service.
Passengers familiar with European Sleeper’s existing routes (Berlin-Brussels-Prague) will know what to expect: a “no-frills nostalgia” experience. The company has faced mixed reviews for technical issues but is praised for its commitment to the sleeper revival. The new route will use 1990s German coaches, and, in a pragmatic move, will not feature a dining car at launch due to the “challenge” of making it profitable.