Sophie Petter is the Economist's Paris Bureau Chief. She spends a lot of time travelling around France on trains. The country has some of the best high-speed railways in Europe. A trip from Paris to Lyon, 250 miles away, takes just two hours. If you want to travel to see your family in Bordeaux, you can make the 310-mile journey in just over that time.
In a special episode, our Paris bureau chief witnesses the political divides that become apparent as she switches from France’s famed high-speed railways to forgotten lines. Our culture editor considers the improbably prophetic nature of the film “Titanic”. And, as the last 747 rolls off the line, our correspondent reflects on how the jet reshaped the airline industry.
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