The Paris prosecutor has opened a probe into a suspected bid to undermine 'fundamental national interests' following attacks on France's high-speed train network.

French train operator SNCF reported that the high-speed network was targeted with widespread acts of vandalism, including arson attacks, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of people.

The attacks occurred just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, affecting routes connecting Paris with cities such as Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg.

French officials described the attacks as 'criminal actions' and are investigating potential links to the Olympic Games, with suspicions initially falling on leftist militants or environmental activists.

The disruptions are expected to affect a quarter of a million people and endure through the weekend, with SNCF urging passengers to postpone their trips and stay away from train stations.