Triumphal arch in Paris at daytime. The sky is bright and blue, covered with many clouds. At the front are blurred cars.

Airports in France

France is situated in the heart of Central Europe. Famous as the country of romance and gourmet cuisine, France attracts millions of tourists each year. With a great need for both international and domestic airline traffic, it is no wonder that France has a wide range of both international and domestic airports.

In fact, it counts 34 of them, with Paris airports (Paris Orly and Paris Charles de Gaulle) as two airports in France with the most traffic. However, in case you’re planning a ski holiday or visit to some smaller and less known places in the country, you should consider using some of the smaller airports like Nice or Toulouse.

Top 10 biggest airports in France

Learn more about the 10 biggest airports in France, sorted in alphabetical order, in the text below.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – IATA code – CDG

~ 57.4 million passengers

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known under the name Roissy Airport, is by far the largest and busiest airport in France. It is located northeast of Paris but is well-connected with the City of Light by public transport.

The airport has three terminals and seven sub-terminals, serving a wide range of airlines. It is also a hub of the Air France alliance. Getting to and from the airport is fast and easy. For its good connection to both other French regions but also international cities, this airport might be a right choice for you.

Paris Orly Airport – IATA code – ORY

~ 29.1 million passengers

The older, smaller, and secondary airport in Paris lies about 13 kilometers south of the French capital. Just like CDG, ORY is an international airport. However, its traffic is primarily domestic.

Although smaller, Orly Airport has four terminals, the latest of which was built in 1961. The terminals have Duty Free zones, as well as restaurants and other facilities. The airport is well-linked to the city centre.

Bordeaux Mérignac Airport – IATA code BOD

~ 5.7 million passengers

Situated in south-western France, the airport is only 12 km west of Bordeaux. It mainly operates flights to metropolitan and resort destinations in Europe and North Africa. Furthermore, the airport has three terminals: Hall A, Hall B and Billi Terminal.

As one of the busiest airports in France, BOD offers many amenities for passengers awaiting their flight. When arriving in Bordeaux, you can reach city center by shuttle or by local transportation.

Beauvais Tillé Airport – IATA code BVA

~ 2 million passengers

Also known as Paris Beauvais airport, due to its relative proximity to the French capital, BVA serves the city of Beauvais. At a distance of only 85 kilometers from Paris, it is famous as the airport of low-cost airlines.

BVA has two terminals. Furthermore, the two terminals have a wide range of amenities. In fact, those wishing to reach Paris can buy bus tickets at both terminals. Particularly, passengers can purchase tickets at a vending machine at Terminal 2, and at a ticket office at Terminal 1.

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport – IATA code LYS

~ 8.5 million passengers

LYS, named after the author of the beloved children’s novel The Little Prince, serves the third largest city in France. Interestingly, the airport is 20 km southeast of Lyon city centre.

Furthermore, the airport has two terminals and several gates. Although Lyon is known for its domestic flights, international flights to other European and North African countries are also quite frequent.

The image displays a globe, with Europe facing the center. There are two suitcases on the globe, painted in colors of the French flag - blue, white and red. A signpost with names of several big European cities is next to the suitcases. The cities listed are (top to bottom): Paris, Marseille, Cannes, Rennes, Lille, Nantes, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Toulouse, Nice and Lyon. Bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds is in the background. — Traveling to France

Marseille Provence Airport – IATA code MRS

~ 9 million passengers

The Marseille Provence Airport, one of the gates to the magical Provence, is located 27 km northwest of Marseille. MRS has two terminals – Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Interestingly, most low-cost flights operate at Terminal 2, which opened in 2006. Getting to and from the airport is easy and cheap.

Interestingly, most international flights operate from and to the rest of South Europe and to destinations in North Africa. Some of the airlines that operate at Marseille Airport are Aegean Airlines, RyanAir, EasyJet and Lufthansa.

Nantes Airport – IATA code NTE

~ 5.8 million passengers

The largest airport in the western France is located 8 kilometers southwest of Nantes, in Bouguenais. The airport, which serves as a hub to Volotea and Transavia France, has a single passenger terminal. Naturally, the airport offers many amenities to its passengers.

Some of the airlines that operate at NTE are EasyJet, AirFrance and Iberia. Additionally, it is quite easy to reach the city center from the airport and the other way around.

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport – IATA code NCE

~ 12.1 million passengers

With the city’s lavish reputation and stunning location, it is no wonder that Nice Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country. Only 6 kilometers southeast of the city itself, NC is well-connected to the city. It is the most convenient airport for people visiting Côte d’Azur.

Interestingly, the airport serves flights from and to the Middle East, and North America, along with many domestic flights. Also, due to its vicinity of Monaco, it also serves as the city-state’s airport linked to the city by helicopter service.

Mulhouse Airport – IATA code BSL

~ 7 million passengers

Officially named EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, or simply Mulhouse Airport, this airport is famous for its trans-national importance. It is 3.5 km northwest of Basel, Switzerland, 20 km away from Mulhouse, France and 45 km south of Freiburg, Germany. Check how to get to the city center from the airport.

Furthermore, the airport has a single terminal with 5 levels. For its location and proximity to international borders, it serves as a base for many airlines including Easyjet, Belair, Air Berlin.

Toulouse Blagnac Airport – IATA code TLS

~ 3.8 million passengers

The airport of the Occitanie region’s capital Toulouse is located approximately 7 km northwest of the city center and partially in Blagnac. The airport has a single terminal with two floors, along with the ground floor. Also, due to its position, the airport has many flights connecting southern France with Morocco and Algeria.

Furthermore, several low-cost airlines operate at TLS. Particularly, Volotea and RyanAir are the most frequent. Furthermore, other commercial airlines include AirCorsica, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, flying to destinations such as Istanbul and Frankfurt. This airport is the best option for tourists visiting Andorra or Lourdes. The transport from the airport to the city is fast and affordable.

The photo depicts a horizontal view of an airport terminal building. An airplane is in motion above the terminal, departing from the airport. — Airport Terminal

Smaller airports in France

Ajaccio Airport – IATA code AJA

Also called: Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, Campo dell’Oro Airport
Nearby cities: Propriano, Corte, Calvi (Corsica)
To Ajaccio city from the airport: shuttle bus – 20 min

Montpellier Airport – IATA code MPL

Also called: Fréjorgues Airport
Nearby cities: Nimes, Avignon, Sete, Beziers, Carcassonne
To Montpellier city from the airport: shuttle bus, tram or train

Bastia Airport – IATA code BIA

Also called: Poretta Airport
Nearby cities: Ville-di-Pietrabugno, Furiani, Patrimonio, San-Martino-di-Lota (Corsica)
To Bastia city from the airport: shuttle bus – 35 min

Beziers Airport – IATA code BZR

Also called: Cap d’Agde Airport
Nearby cities: Maraussan, Maureilhan, Boujan-sur-Libron, Villeneuve-les-Beziers
To Beziers city from the airport: shuttle bus – 30 min

Biarritz Airport – IATA code BIQ

Also called: Pays Basque Airport
Nearby cities: Anglet, Bidart, Bayonne, Arbone, San Sebastian
To Biarritz city from the airport: shuttle bus – 20 min

Brest Airport – IATA code BES

Also called: Brest Guipavas Airport, Brest Bretagne Airport
Nearby cities: Guilers, Bohars, Plouzane, Guipavas
To Brest city from the airport: shuttle bus – 10 min

Carcassonne Airport – IATA code CCF

Also called: Salvaza Airport, Carcassonne Salvaza Airport or Carcassonne Airport in Pays Cathare
Nearby cities: Cazilhac, Lavalette, Berriac, Pennautier
To Carcassonne city from the airport: shuttle bus – 30 min

Chambéry Airport – IATA code CMF

Also called: Chambéry-Savoie Airport, Chambéry Aix-les-Bains Airport
Nearby cities: Cognin, Barberaz, Jacob-Bellecombette, Montagnole
To Chambéry city from the airport: shuttle bus – 15 min

Dinard Airport – IATA code DNR

Also called: Dinard–Pleurtuit–Saint-Malo Airport
Nearby cities: La Richardais, Pleurtuit, Ploubalay, Lancieux
To Dinard city from the airport: taxi

Figari Airport – IATA code FSC

Also called: Figari–Sud Corse Airport, Figari South Corsica Airport
Nearby cities: Bonifacio, Sotta, Porto-Vecchio
To Figari city from the airport: public bus – 30 min

Grenoble Airport – IATA code GNB

Also called: Alpes–Isère Airport, Grenoble-Isère Airport
Nearby cities: La Tronche, Sassenage, Meylon, Saint-Martin-d-Heres
To Grenoble city from the airport: shuttle bus – 30 min

Ile de Re Airport – IATA code LRH

Also called: La Rochelle
Nearby cities: La Flotte, Loix, Saint-Martin-de-Re
To Ile de Re city from the airport: public bus – 15 min

Lille Airport – IATA code LIL

Also called: Lille-Lesquin Airport, Lesquin Airport
Nearby cities: Lambersart, La Madeleine, Villeneuve-d-Ascq, Loos
To Lille city from the airport: shuttle bus – 20 min

Limoges Airport – IATA code LIG

Also called: Limoges – Bellegarde Airport
Nearby cities: Panazol, Feytiat, Isle
To Limoges city from the airport: public bus – 15 min

Nimes Airport – IATA code FNI

Also called: Nîmes–Alès–Camargue–Cévennes Airport, Garons Airport, Nîmes Garons Airport
Nearby cities: Poulx, Marguerittes, Rodilhan, Caissargues
To Nimes city from the airport: shuttle bus – 20 min

Pau Airport – IATA code PUF

Also called: Pau Pyrénées Airport
Nearby cities: Jurancon, Gellos, Bizanos, Billere
To Pau city from the airport: public bus – 15 min

Perpignan Airport – IATA code PGF

Also called: Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport, Llabanère Airport
Nearby cities: Cabestany, Pollestres, Toulouges, Cenet-en-Roussillon
To Perpignan city from the airport: shuttle bus – 25 min

Strasbourg Airport – IATA code SXB

Also called: no other names
Nearby cities: Kehl, Eckbolsheim, Schiltigheim, Lingolsheim
To Strasbourg city from the airport: train – 10 minutes

Toulon Airport – IATA code TLN

Also called: Toulon–Hyères Airport, Hyères Le Palyvestre Airport
Nearby cities: La-Valette-du-Var, La Garde, Ollioules
To Toulon city from the airport: public bus – 30 min

Tours Airport – IATA code TUF

Also called: Tours Val de Loire Airport
Nearby cities: Saint-Avertin, Parcay-Meslay, La-Membrolle-sur-Choisille
To Tours city from the airport: bus – 20 min