Ruth Haines
The South of France is a popular destination for tourists, especially during the summer months. There are 10 international airports in the region, including Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, Marseille-Provence Airport, and Toulouse Airport. Nice is the busiest airport in the region and the third busiest in France, serving as a regional hub for Air France, Easyjet, and other major airlines. Marseille is also a popular choice for travellers as it lies at the edge of the French Riviera, inner Provence, and southwestern France. Toulouse Airport is another option for those travelling to the South of France, as it is well connected to the rest of Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports in South France | Nice, Marseille, Avignon, Toulon, Montpellier, Beziers, Carcassonne, Perpignan, Cannes, St Tropez, Toulouse, Nimes |
| Busiest airport in the region | Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport |
| Third busiest airport in France | Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport |
| Fifth busiest airport in France | Marseille-Provence Airport |
| Best airport for yacht connection | Figari Airport |
| Closest airport to Paris | Orly Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport
The airport covers an area of over 3.70 km2 (1.43 sq mi), with 2.70 km2 (1.04 sq mi) dedicated to its two parallel runways and three passenger terminals and freight terminal. Terminals 1 and 2 are connected by a tram service, with the route stopping at the airport and linking to the city centre and port via the "Jean Médecin" and "Port Lympia" stations, respectively. Buses also connect the car parks with the terminals. Terminal 1 has a capacity of 4.5 million passengers per year and features 25 gates across a space of 52,000 m2 (560,000 sq ft). It services flights to domestic, Schengen, and non-Schengen destinations. Terminal 2 is the newer and larger facility, capable of handling 8.5 million passengers per year with 29 gates spanning 57,800 m2 (622,000 sq ft). This terminal is equipped to manage flights to all destinations.
The airport's theoretical capacity is 14 million annual passengers and 52 movements (26 landings) per hour. The landing approach is spectacular, with views of the mountains and sea. While seating may be limited in the main terminal, travellers can find plenty of seating in the cafes on the upper level.
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Marseille-Provence Airport
Marseille Provence Airport is the second-largest regional airport in France, with over nine million passengers in 2022. It is served by more than 170 airlines operated by over 30 companies and connects directly to 128 destinations in 36 countries. The airport is located 27 kilometres from the city centre of Marseille, and travellers can get there by shuttle bus, taxi, or rental car. The shuttle bus runs seven days a week, from 4:10 am to 1:30 am, with one departure every ten minutes during rush hour. The journey time between the airport and the city centre ranges from 30 to 50 minutes.
Marseille Provence Airport is accessible by train, served by the Vitrolles Marseille Provence Airport rail station on the TER network. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (MP2), with the latter catering to budget airlines. In 2013, the airport expanded its shopping and dining options, introducing 30 new shops and restaurants, including the first Burger King restaurant in France since 1997.
During the summer, Easyjet offers flights to Marseille-Provence Airport from five destinations in the UK. These include daily flights from London Gatwick and London Luton, as well as flights on specific days from Glasgow, Bristol, and Manchester. Marseille Provence Airport serves as a focus city for Air France, and in the summer of 2013, it served 132 regular destinations, the largest offer in France after Parisian airports.
The airport taxi station is located in front of Terminal 1, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The taxi fare between the airport and the city centre is typically around €70-80 during the day and €90-100 at night, with slight increases on Sundays and bank holidays. Travellers can also opt to rent a car, providing more independence for their journey.
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Toulouse Airport
Toulouse–Blagnac Airport is a great option for travellers heading to Southern France. The airport has a positive reputation among travellers, with one describing it as a "human-sized airport with clear indications and professional staff". Toulouse Airport is located near Toulouse city centre, which can be reached in approximately 20 minutes via shuttle bus. The shuttle bus leaves every 15 minutes from outside Hall B, stopping at Compans-Caffarelli and Jeanne d'Arc (both on Metro Line B), Jean Jaurès (Metro Line A and B), and the Toulouse-Matabiau railway station.
Three daily coach services also connect Toulouse–Blagnac Airport to Andorra, which does not have a commercial airport. The T2 tram line, which previously connected the airport to Toulouse, closed in 2023 and will reopen in 2026 as the new Aeroport Express line. This will provide a shuttle service from the future Blagnac line C metro station to the Toulouse Blagnac airport.
Toulouse–Blagnac Airport is also home to aircraft manufacturing facilities for Airbus and ATR, which utilise runway 32L/14R for flight testing and delivery flights. Runway 32R/14L is used for commercial flights and by Airbus for formation flights. The Airbus Delivery Centre is located on the 32L/14R runway side. Toulouse–Blagnac Airport SA, a limited liability company with a share capital of €148,000, has been awarded the authority to operate the airport until 2046 by the French government.
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Montpellier Airport
There are 10 international airports in the South of France, including Montpellier Airport, which is officially known as Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport (MPL/LFMT). The airport is located 17 feet (5 m) above mean sea level and has two asphalt runways.
The airport has a variety of airlines operating regular scheduled and charter flights, including EasyJet, Ryanair, Transavia France, Lufthansa, Twinjet, Volotea, Air Arabia, Brussels Airlines, Chalair, and Aer Lingus. These airlines offer flights to destinations such as Bristol, Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, Porto, Marrakech, Brussels, Bordeaux, Dublin, and Moscow.
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Avignon Airport
The city of Avignon itself is a dynamic place, with a unique historical centre. The city is spread out over 64.78 square kilometres and is home to 92,000 people. Avignon boasts a diverse range of attractions, from architectural heritage sites to museums, business centres, and shops. The ultra-modern Nord shopping centre and the medieval Popes' Palace showcase the city's blend of old and new.
Outside the city walls, visitors can explore unique architectural sites such as the Saint-André Fort and the Pont du Gard bridge, which is just a 30-minute drive from Avignon. The city is an excellent gateway to the Provence area, with nearby attractions including Orange, Les Baux-de-Provence, Gordes, and the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Nature lovers can wander through the lavender fields in the neighbouring Lubéron hills.
For those interested in art and culture, Avignon offers several museums, such as the Petit Palais, which showcases Renaissance artists. Other notable sites include the Sainte-Ruf Abbey, the Hôtel des Monnaies, the Pénitents Noirs Chapel, the Place de l'Horloge, and the Place du Crillon. Visitors can also take a cruise down the Rhône River or explore Barthelasse Island.
When considering travel options to Avignon, it is worth noting that the city can also be conveniently accessed via Paris. Paris has numerous direct flight options from various international destinations, and travellers can then take advantage of the TGV service from CDG Airport to Avignon, which takes approximately 3 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
The Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport is the busiest airport in the region and the third busiest in France. It is also bustling during the late spring and summer months. Other popular airports include Marseille, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Avignon.
If you are flying from the U.S., it is recommended to look for flights to Paris and then take a connecting flight to Marseille or Avignon. If you are flying from North America, you will most likely arrive in Paris. It is also recommended to avoid flying through CDG airport in Paris due to security delays and difficult transfers.
Popular destinations in the South of France include Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Menton, Saint-Tropez, and Provence.
