Bargain French Regional Transit Passes
 

Several French regions have bargain transit passes - most of the following however are available only on weekends in summer - a few all year as noted.
Passes are only in 2nd class and on TER (regional) trains and buses and Corail trains but not on Corail TEOZ (new spiffed up Corail stock inaugurated in 2005) or TGVs.
CARTE ISABELLA (COTE D'AZUR)
The Carte Isabella provides unlimited travel in July, Aug and Sep for one day on SNCF trains on the Frejus-Ventimiglia (Italy border town) and Nice-Vievola (last French station on Nice-Sospel-Cuneo) line. This info is from 2005 and i don't know if the newly reopened line to Grasse is covered or not. Ligne Digne (Chemins de fer de Provence not included.)
Price (2005) 11 euros.
NEXT: FORFAIT PAYS DE LA LOIRE

FORFAIT PAYS DE LA LOIRE
Unlimited travel for 1-5 people on 2 straight days on TER trains/buses and Corail trains within the Pays de la Loire region.
Note: this pass does not cover the classic part of the Loire Valley where the most famous castles are but is centered on the Nantes/Le Mans region, including Alencon, Vitre, Redon, La Rochelle, Cerizay, Saumur, Nogent-le-Rotrou and Chateau-de-Loir.
2005 price: 34 euros.

CORSICA: CARTE ZOOM
Corsica has a few rail lines that make for utilitarian travel between key cities - and they are rather scenic.
The Carte Zoom provides 7 days consecutive rail travel on these lines for just 47 euros.

ALSACE PASS EVASION
One day unlimited travel for one person, plus one child under 12, or 2-5 folks traveling together in the Bas-Rhin (Strasbourg) and Haut Rhin (Mulhouse) departements or the Alsace region (both departements) on Sat, Sun and public holidays:
one person - one departement = 8.10 e
one person - region = 13 e
2-5 folks - one depart = 16.20 e
2-5 folks - region = 26 e

PASS BRETAGNE (BRITTANY PASS)
Unlimited travel in Brittany from 1st Sat in July to mid Sep. price: 10 euros.

PASS LIBRE ACCES (NORD-Pas-de-Calais)
A new three-day pass gives unlimited travel on SNCF's TER (Trains Express Regional??) services in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region (Lille, Calais, Boulogne, Dunkerque, Arras, Valenciennes as well as free entrance to 11 tourist sights
price=45 euros.

FORFAIT AQUITAINE TEMPS LIBRE
Unlimited travel for 48 hours of groups of 3-5 persons in a sizeable region around Bordeaux. Sold all year. Valid from 00.01 Saturday to 23.59 Sunday most of year but on any 2 straight days from July to early Sep.
Covers: Bordeaux, Hendaye, St Jean-Pied-de-Port, Oloron-Ste-Marie, Arachon, Sarlat, Le Verdon, Mont-de-Marsan, bussiere-Galant, St Mariens-St. Yzan and many others.
Price: 35 euros.

PARIS CARTE ORANGE HEDBOMADAIRE
Valid on SNCF, RER, metro, trams, buses within number of zones bought. Only available Monday to Sunday - generally a bargain for three days or more for typical tourists.
Designed for locals - the reason for the Sunday to Monday only scheme i guess at times agents have been reported to balk at selling to tourists (according to Fodor posts) but usually will sell. Go to another window or station if encounter problems.
Prices: Zones 1/2 20.80 Euros
zones 1-5 37.80 euros; zones 1-8 (max) 42.70 euros.
www.ratp.fr - Paris transport web site has current prices, details.

METRO-OCEANE JOURNALIER
Unlimited travel on public transport, including SNCF trains, for one day = 14.20 euros
area-LeCroisic-St-Nazaire-Nantes