A train that was due to take dozens of MEPs to Strasbourg on Monday took an unfortunate diversion via Disneyland Paris after a switching error.
The train had to turn back and was delayed by 45 minutes, the French rail network operator SNCF told Belga News Agency.
In Paris, the train was accidentally directed towards Marne-la-Vallée Chessy instead of taking the fast track to Strasbourg, explained a SNCF spokesperson, who apologised for the delay. Marne-la-Vallée station is located right at the entrance to the Disneyland theme park.
"SNCF sent the train that was supposed to take the MEPs from Brussels to Strasbourg to Disney instead. Will Disney's slogan 'When magic comes to life' soon be that of the European Parliament too?" joked parliamentary assistant Emmanuel Foulon, who was on board the train, on X (formerly Twitter).
Suite à une erreur d’aiguillage à Paris Charles de Gaule, la #SNCF a envoyé á #Disney le train qui devait amener les parlementaires européens de Bruxelles á Strasbourg.
« Quand la magie prend vie », le slogan de Disney bientot celui du Parlement européen ?#Eplenary pic.twitter.com/KLpUtZRuhN — Emmanuel Foulon (@efoulon1) October 16, 2023
Every month, MEPs pack their bags and head for Strasbourg. The city in France's Grand Est region is home to the headquarters of the European Parliament, which is where the institution's plenary sessions are held under the European treaties. Parliamentary committees, on the other hand, are held in Brussels.
The back-and-forth movement of MEPs between Brussels and Strasbourg is regularly criticised for its cost (at least €109 million a year, according to the European Parliament) and its logistical drawbacks. But France is campaigning for the current situation to be maintained, and any change to the seat of the institution would require a complex amendment to the Treaties.
