Ater a 69-year gap, "le tramway" returns to Paris

PARIS, Dec 16 (Reuters) Trams returned to Paris today after a 69-year gap, with the inauguration of a new commuter service around part of the city's southern periphery.

The ''Tramway of the Marshals'' traces a five-mile arc along the southern perimeter, following a series of boulevards named after Napoleon's generals.

Rather than serving the city's tourist sites, the 312 million euro project was designed to help suburban residents travel along the congested inner ring road.

The tramcars were built by Alstom, the maker of france's high-speed inter-city TGV trains.

Socialist Mayor Bertrand Delanoe inaugurated the tram link, which will be free for Parisians for the weekend. After that, a ticket will cost the same as a bus fare.

REUTERS PDS BST0132