2 week France visit **October 15- October 28.**
I've read Rick's articles on rail passes vs Point to point, but a couple of questions. I've read enough to understand that for most the Eurorail pass won't save money. However we will be doing a lot of rail travel to and from smaller towns, following a pattern around northern France, Paris--->Lille--->Dunkirk--->Caen---Loire valley-->back to Paris etc., and don't necessarily need the popular TGV high speed routes.
1) If we purchased a rail ticket from Paris to Lille, do we have to stay on the train, or can we hop off at Amiens (for example) for a couple hours and then re-board a train from Amiens to Lille?
2) Assuming we purchased the rail passes, when I go ,to oui-scnf web site for ticketing, using my Paris-->Lille itinerary, under "Season Ticket" drop down, it allows me to enter "france one country pass" BUT this is a sub entry under "pass interrrail" it does not specify a "Eurorail pass." It's my understanding that "Interrail" passes are for European citizens, and Eurorail passes for for US and other citizens. Is this the same discount feature for BOTH Interrail and Eurorail passes? I cannot find an entry for Eurorail pass. I am doubtful they are interchangeable as the language on the OUI SCNF site specifies "Interrail" passes are only for European citizens and a few other countries.
3) For my Paris-->Lille route, I see if I choose "one country rail pass" the price drops for 2 from $98 to $23. I assume the $23 is the "fees" that people warn about that must be paid even if we purchase rail pass ($584 for 2 people, BUT only for 8 days out of the 14 we will be there).
4) When I input some other smaller routes, like Lille-Dunkirk or Dunkirk--->Calais, the price does not change when I add "one country France pass" except for a minor price change on one route in each case. Does this "one country france pass" assuming its the correct input, only give small discounts on short routes?
Thanks to all for assistance