France–United Kingdom relations May 1994. The same year the American Society of Civil Engineers elected the Channel Tunnel as one of the seven modern Wonders of the World. 11,675,910 passengers in 2008 travelled on flights between the United Kingdom and France. There are lists of twinnings (including those to towns in other countries) at List of twin towns and sister cities in France and at List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom. France–United Kingdom relations France–United Kingdom relations are the relations between the governments of the French Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK).
History of rail transport in France of the private railway operating companies began to face financial difficulties. In 1938 the socialist government fully nationalised the railway system and formed the "Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais" (SNCF). Regional authorities have begun to specify schedules since the mid of the 1970s with general conventions between the regions and the SNCF since the mid-1980s. From 1981 onwards, a newly constructed set of high-speed TGV ("Train à Grande Vitesse") lines linked France's most populated areas with the capital, starting with Paris-Lyon. In 1994, the Channel Tunnel opened, connecting France and Great Britain by rail under the English Channel.