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

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

Brest Airport – IATA code BES

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

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

Airports in France with less than 100.000 passengers per year

  • Bergerac Airport – IATA code EGC
  • Châlons Vatry Airport – IATA code XCR
  • Poitiers Airport – IATA code PIS
  • Rodez Airport – IATA code RDZ
  • Saint Etienne Airport – IATA code EBU

Airports in the neighboring countries

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Airports in the UK

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