High-speed train services in France are returning to normal after three rail lines were targeted in co-ordinated arson attacks on Friday (26 July) ¨C the first day of the Olympics in Paris.

French national rail operator SNCF was forced to cancel multiple high-speed services on Friday and over the weekend due to the incidents, affecting an estimated 800,000 travellers during the three days.

Eurostar services from the UK to continental Europe were also affected with around 25 per cent of trains being cancelled over the three days. Eurostar services that were able to run were forced to use lower speed lines to complete their journeys, adding around one hour and 30 minutes to normal travel times.

SNCF engineers were able to fix the Atlantic, North and East high-speed lines over the weekend and the company said it expected ¡°no further disruption¡± from Monday (29 July) morning onwards.

¡°Thanks to the exceptional mobilisation of our agents who have worked tirelessly since Friday morning, the repair work is now completely finished on all the high-speed lines affected by the acts of sabotage,¡±?said SNCF in a statement.

¡°We thank passengers for their patience and understanding, as well as for their many messages of support.¡±

A Eurostar spokesperson also confirmed that its services have ¡°resumed back to normal¡± on Monday. Although the operator has warned that ¡°short-notice delays may still occur¡±.