Vandals targeted France's high-speed rail network with a series of coordinated actions that brought major disruption to some of the country's busiest rail lines ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

The state-owned railway operator SNCF said arsonists had targeted installations along the lines connecting Paris with the country's west, north and east.

Ministers added that traffic would be severely disrupted throughout the weekend.

A spokesperson from the SNCF said: "Last night, the SNCF was victim of several acts of vandalism on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines. Fires were deliberately set to damage our installations."

Disruption is expected just hours before the games begin in Paris

French Sports, Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera

Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera condemned the vandalism. She told BFMTV: "It's completely appalling...to target the games is to target France."

Meanwhile, Eurostar said its rail services between London and Paris had been disrupted by acts of vandalism in France, resulting in several cancellations and longer journey times.

Eurostar said in a statement: "Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high speed line between Paris and Lille, all high speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday, July 26.

"This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half. Several trains have been cancelled."

Eurostar services have been delayed