The first express train on a new service connecting Berlin and Paris departed from the German capital on Monday. The train, which set off from Berlin's main station shortly after noon (1100 GMT), is expected to arrive in the French capital some eight hours later at 7:55 pm following stops in Frankfurt,

BERLIN — Germany and France on Monday launched a direct high-speed train between Berlin and Paris, a connection hailed as a symbol of a close friendship between the two countries and a sign of Europe’s potential to attract more travelers to the rails.

French and German rail operators launched the first direct high-speed rail link between Paris and Berlin on Monday, in response to growing European demand for train travel.But French rail operator SNCF has reported an occupancy rate of over 80 percent for the new trains.