Many discounts are available for seniors -- men and women of the "third age," as the French say. Contact the French Government Tourist Office.
At any rail station in France, seniors 60 and over (with proof of age) can get A La Carte Senior. The pass costs 53€ ($69) and is good for a 50% discount on unlimited rail travel throughout the year. The carte also offers reduced prices on some regional bus lines and half-price admission at state-owned museums. There are some restrictions -- for example, you can't use it between 3pm Sunday and noon Monday and from noon Friday to noon Saturday.
Air France offers seniors a 10% reduction on its regular nonexcursion tariffs on travel within France. Some restrictions apply. Discounts of around 10% are offered to passengers 62 and over on selected Air France international flights. Be sure to ask for the discount when booking.
Members of AARP (tel. 888/687-2277; www.aarp.org) get discounts on hotels, airfares, and car rentals. AARP offers members a wide range of benefits, including AARP: The Magazine and a monthly newsletter. Anyone over 50 can join.
Many reliable agencies and organizations target the 50-plus market. Elderhostel (tel. 800/454-5768; www.elderhostel.org) arranges study programs for those 55 and over (and a spouse or companion of any age). Most courses last 5 to 7 days in the United States and 2 to 4 weeks abroad, and many include airfare, accommodations in university dormitories or modest inns, meals, and tuition. ElderTreks (tel. 800/741-7956; www.eldertreks.com) offers small-group tours to off-the-beaten-path or adventure travel locations, restricted to travelers 50 and older.
Recommended publications offering travel resources and discounts for seniors include the quarterly magazine Travel 50 & Beyond (www.travel50andbeyond.com) and the paperback Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50 2005-2006, 16th Edition (McGraw-Hill), by Joann Rattner Heilman.
