France: See the country by train with $50 discount on rail passes

France lately has had its share of labor protests, strikes and other upheavals. Still, intrepid travelers may find this a good time for a visit to escape the crowds, see the sights and get discounts. Among the savings: Rail Europe is taking $50 off selected train passes.

The deal: RailEurope’s Ou-La-La! $50 Off France Rail Pass Promotion applies to France Rail Passs, France Day Passes and Rail ‘n’ Drive Passes costing at least $200. To get the discount, use the code “France50,” whether reserving by phone or online.

When: Buy by Nov. 16. The offer is subject to availability, and you must use the pass within six months of buying it.

Tested: I went to Rail Europe’s online offer page and selected a France Rail Pass good for any four days within a month; I chose March. The cost was $299 for second-class train travel. When I went to the checkout page and entered the code, off came the $50.

If you are unsure about which pass to buy, I recommend reading Rail FAQs before you make a purchase. Also, check out the Travel Bonuses tab to learn which other discounts — high-speed rail, museums, shopping, etc. — may come with the pass you buy.

Tip: I suggest booking online because Rail Europe tacks on a $33 processing fee for reservations made by phone, even though I did find it helpful to speak with a reservation agent (no charge) for that when I had questions.

Contact: Rail Europe, (800) 622-8600.