It was a first-class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE) operated by the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer français (SNCF).

The return train, TEE 61, left Paris at 17:20 and reached Strasbourg at 21:10.

The TEE 62, now renamed Kléber (ex-TEE Stanislas), continued to leave Strasbourg at 17:10 and arrive in Paris at 21:00.

Its inaugural formation of rolling stock was a rake of SNCF Grand Confort coaches [fr] painted in a distinctive red, orange, light grey and slate grey livery.

Throughout the Kléber's existence, its restaurant car was staffed by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL).