Yes, that's a good one, but not just SE France where trains are great. Rouen to Paris, Verona to Venice, and Narbonne to Sete are all in our memory bank. THE website for train travel everywhere (even UK to Beijing) is www.seat61.com
And, yes, rail travel can be very cheap in many places: don't forget the little yellow train through the eastern Pyrenees. But it's especially useful in and around the Riviera because there are so many little tracks going into the hills and wherever. A friend of mine has given up driving abroad now - he books into a cheap hotel near Marseilles station and then tours by train and bus! I may try it one day.
Thank you, have bookmarked that. When we first arrived on Cote d'Azur last summer we found day trips stressful - traffic is just too hellish. Then someone mentioned the train, and it was a revelation. We found that our train ticket saved us enough on tolls and parking that it was cheaper even though we were paying full price, and so much more relaxing. We've learned our lesson for this summer, and that pass looks really good value.
While on the matter of trains and other public services, it is often possible to get worthwhile reductions on fares for people of certain ages - although I've not really sussed out all the rules!
Students are no problem, just remind them to take their student cards with them. I've sometimes got reductions by flashing my senior citizens travelcard, sometimes not. However, I've always got the senior reductions at on line bookings simply by ticking the right box.
Applies to other countries and services - where appropriate, don't be afraid to ask!