60+ à Aix: Train discounts in France — Senior, ZOU! & MAX compared (with where to buy in Aix)

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Who this is for & what you’ll get

New to France or new to SNCF math? This guide breaks down national (Carte Avantage Senior, MAX Senior) and regional (ZOU! in Region Sud) train discounts in plain English—with exact benefits, who qualifies, how to buy online, and where to do it in person in Aix. No mystery asterisks, just savings.

Quick glossary (so we’re speaking the same track)

  • TGV INOUI / Intercités = long-distance national trains.

  • TER ZOU! = regional trains/buses in Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur.

  • Cards vs. Passes: “Carte” = yearly discount card; “MAX” = monthly pass.

The Big Three: what you actually get

1) Carte Avantage Senior (60+) — national, 1 year

  • Price: €49/year. Buy on SNCF Connect (web/app) or at station counters. (SNCF Connect)

  • Your discount: –30% on TGV INOUI and Intercités (1st or 2nd class). (SNCF Voyageurs)

  • Children with you: up to 3 kids (4–11) at –60%. (SNCF Voyageurs)

  • Price caps (2nd class): many journeys are capped so late bookings stay within predictable bands (e.g., typical €39/€59/€79 tiers by distance—exact applicability varies by route/date). (SNCF Connect)

  • TER impact: on some routes you’ll also see a reduction when the card is added at booking; amount varies by region (primary value is on TGV/Intercités). (SNCF Connect)

  • How you use it: add the card to your traveler profile at checkout; the system auto-applies discounts/caps. (SNCF Connect)

Best for: occasional–regular long-distance trips (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, etc.) and anyone who likes protection against “I booked late” prices.

2) MAX Senior (60+) — national, monthly

  • Price: €79/month. (SNCF Connect)

  • What it gives:

    • €0 tickets on many TGV INOUI/Intercités off-peak trains (France-domestic).

    • –30% during peak windows.

    • Free cancellation up to departure; up to 6 active reservations at once. (SNCF Connect)

  • How you use it: subscribe on SNCF Connect; then book trains at €0 when eligible. (SNCF Connect)

Best for: seniors doing multiple round trips monthly on flexible schedules (grand-touring France or frequent family visits).

3) ZOU! in Region Sud (PACA) — regional, 1 year

A) ZOU! Malin (any age)

  • Price: €20/year (current listed price). Buy online or at TER/ZOU! counters. (Votre réseau ZOU)

  • Your discount: –30% on TER ZOU! trains and many regional coaches; usually covers you + 1 companion. (SNCF)

B) ZOU! Solidaire / Solidaire+ (means-tested)

  • Who qualifies: modest incomes or beneficiaries of ASPA/AAH, etc.

  • Your discount: –50% (Solidaire) up to –90% (Solidaire+) on ZOU! buses & TER (minimum TER fare rules apply). Apply online. (Votre réseau ZOU)

Best for: local Marseille–Aix–Avignon–Nice type trips; anyone living in/around Provence riding TER regularly.

Head-to-head benefits (explicit comparison)

Feature Avantage Senior (€49/yr) MAX Senior (€79/mo) ZOU! Malin (€20/yr) ZOU! Solidaire (means-tested)
Applies to TGV/Intercités (some TER) TGV/Intercités TER ZOU! + regional buses TER ZOU! + regional buses
Base benefit –30% + price caps €0 off-peak, –30% peak –30% (often incl. 1 companion) –50% to –90%
Kids with you Up to 3 kids –60% N/A Standard fares Family-member rules vary by product
Flexibility Standard exchange rules Very flexible, free cancel Pay-as-you-go Pay-as-you-go
Break-even 1–2 long trips/yr ~2–3 off-peak round-trips/mo A few TER returns Deepest cuts if eligible

Sources: SNCF & Region Sud official pages. (SNCF Voyageurs)

Which saves more—for your trips?

  • Mostly long-distance (Aix TGV ↔ Paris/Lyon/Nantes)
    → Avantage Senior for predictable caps; upgrade to MAX Senior if you ride 2–3+ round trips/month off-peak (your savings exceed €79 quickly). (SNCF Connect)

  • Mostly local TER (Aix ↔ Marseille/Avignon/Manosque)
    → ZOU! Malin (–30%) is the simple choice; if eligible, ZOU! Solidaire can be dramatically cheaper (–50%/–90%). (SNCF)

  • Mix of both:
    → Avantage Senior + ZOU! Malin pair well: national trips capped/discounted, regional hops –30%. (SNCF Connect)

Real-world comparison (same person, same month)

  • Aix ↔ Paris (TGV), 1 late-booked round trip

    • Without card: volatile pricing.

    • Avantage Senior: –30% plus likely under the cap (2nd class) → big savings vs. walk-up. (SNCF Connect)

    • MAX Senior: if your trains are off-peak, €0 each way beats everything. (SNCF Connect)

  • Aix Centre ↔ Marseille St-Charles (TER), 4 round trips

    • ZOU! Malin: –30% every time (and often your companion too). Yearly card pays back fast. (SNCF)

    • Avantage Senior: not the focus for TER—keep it for TGV/Intercités. (SNCF Connect)

  • Tight budget, regional travel

    • ZOU! Solidaire/+: deepest reductions if you qualify—apply online first, then load to your card. (Votre réseau ZOU)

How to buy (online vs in person)

Online (fastest)

  • Carte Avantage Senior & MAX Senior: buy on SNCF Connect (web/app). Cards/passes appear in your account instantly; add to your traveler at checkout. (SNCF Connect)

  • ZOU! cards: order on the ZOU! site; ZOU! Solidaire application is online. (Votre réseau ZOU)

In person in Aix (good if you want human help)

  • Aix-en-Provence Centre (Place Victor-Hugo): staffed TER/ZOU! counters & machines; posted counter hours currently: Mon–Sat 08:30–11:30 & 12:30–16:45; Sun/holidays 12:00–17:30. (SNCF)

  • Aix-en-Provence TGV (out of town): full ticket office & kiosks; reachable by shuttle. (Ticket office: Hall A.) (TGV Lyria)

Step-by-step (SNCF Connect: adding your discount)

  1. Log in → search your journey.

  2. On the passenger screen, add your discount card or MAX.

  3. The app shows discounted/capped fares automatically. (SNCF Connect)

TL;DR chooser

  • One or two TGV trips a year? Avantage Senior (€49).

  • Lots of off-peak TGVs monthly? MAX Senior (€79/mo).

  • Mainly TER in Provence? ZOU! Malin (–30%).

  • Tight budget & eligible? ZOU! Solidaire (–50–90%).

Internal links you might like

Location: France