Ruth Haines
France is a popular destination for tourists, artists, couples, and foodies, with Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, and Provence among its most popular cities. The country has around 148 main airports, with about 54 airports offering commercial flights. Paris, the capital, has three international airports, including Charles de Gaulle, the largest airport in France. Outside of Paris, the largest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, which is the third-largest in the country and serves as a gateway to the French Riviera and the Principality of Monaco. Lyon, Toulouse, Biarritz, Bordeaux, and Nantes are among the other major cities with international airports.
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What You'll Learn
Paris Charles de Gaulle is the largest airport in France
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest and busiest international airport in France. It is also the second busiest airport in Europe and the ninth busiest in the world, with nearly 500,000 flights and over 76 million passengers passing through its three terminals annually. The airport covers 32.38 square kilometres (12.50 sq mi) of land and is located 23 kilometres (14 miles) northeast of Paris. It is named after the former French president, Charles de Gaulle, whose initials form its IATA airport code.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is well-equipped with a wide range of facilities and services for arriving and departing passengers. Terminal 2, the largest of the three terminals, boasts an impressive selection of international restaurants, shops, and duty-free offerings. The airport also features banks, ATMs, currency exchanges, mail offices, lounges, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Additionally, it showcases impressive art exhibitions within its spacious terminals, including the 250-square-metre Espace Musées in Departure Hall M of Terminal 2E, which hosts unique exhibitions twice a year.
The airport is easily accessible from Paris and offers multiple transportation options. The RER B regional train service connects the airport to the city centre, with stops at Gare du Nord and Châtelet-Les-Halles. The high-speed TGV service also operates from the airport to destinations across France and neighbouring countries. Bus services, such as the Terravision buses, provide a more economical option, with a 50-minute journey to the city centre. For added convenience, taxi services and airport transfer options are available as well.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport serves as a hub for various airlines, including Air France, easyJet, and Norse Atlantic Airways. It is managed by Groupe ADP, which also oversees other Parisian airports such as Orly and Le Bourget. The airport's construction began in 1966, and it opened in 1974, with Terminal 1 featuring an avant-garde design by architect Paul Andreu. Terminal 2 was inaugurated in 1982, showcasing a more traditional linear layout that has since evolved into multiple distinct sub-terminals.
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Paris has 3 international airports
Paris, the capital of France, is served by three international airports, welcoming millions of travellers each year. These airports are Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport, and Beauvais-Tillé Airport.
Charles de Gaulle Airport, often referred to as Roissy Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in France. It is located approximately 25 km (16 miles) from Paris and is known for its extensive global connections. The airport has three main terminals, spread across more than a mile, with Terminal 1 noted for its avant-garde architecture and Terminal 2 spread across seven sub-terminals. Terminal 3 is composed of a single building located about 1 km from Terminal 1. The airport offers various amenities, including lounges, free Wi-Fi, play areas for children, a museum area, and a relaxation zone.
Orly Airport, located just 8 miles (13 km) south of Paris, is another major international airport serving the city. It offers a mix of domestic and international flights, particularly catering to travellers flying to destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Orly Airport features four terminals, Orly 1, 2, 3, and 4, connected by the Orlyval Light Rail and walkways. The airport provides efficient transport links to the city and is well-equipped with lounges, free Wi-Fi, and family areas.
Beauvais-Tillé Airport, situated about 80-85 km (53 miles) from Paris, is a cost-effective alternative for travellers, especially those flying with low-cost airlines. The airport has two terminals and offers basic amenities, including free Wi-Fi, a comfortable waiting area, international newsstands, and vending machines. While Beauvais-Tillé Airport is further from Paris, it can be a good choice for those looking to save on airfare.
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Lyon Saint Exupery is the fourth largest airport in France
France is a well-connected country with a good network of airports, making it accessible from different corners of the world. One of its busiest airports is Lyon Saint Exupery, the fourth-largest airport in France. This airport is an important transport facility for the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is located 20 km southeast of Lyon, the third-largest city in France. The airport is 30 minutes from the Lyon-Part-Dieu business district by the Rhônexpress tram.
The airport was inaugurated by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing on 12 April 1975 and opened to passengers a week later. It was originally named Lyon Satolas Airport, after the nearby village, but in 2000 it was renamed in honour of the Lyonnais aviation pioneer and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who was born in Lyon. The airport has two passenger terminals, which are interconnected by a central building. This central building has a footbridge to the nearby Gare de Lyon Saint-Exupéry high-speed railway station, which was designed by Santiago Calatrava and is the airport's most notable architectural feature.
The airport has undergone several extensions and refurbishments since its opening. In 2014, a new terminal expansion project was started, which doubled the capacity and area of the terminal. The expanded Terminal 1 opened in June 2018, with a circular shape and additional check-in and arrivals facilities. The airport is easily accessible from the city centre by taxi or train, and coach links also connect the airport to the centres of other towns in the area, including Grenoble, Saint-Étienne, and Chambéry.
Lyon Saint Exupery Airport is also the headquarters of the famous aircraft manufacturer, Airbus. It has handled up to 9 million passengers in a year and is a focus city for Air France. The airport offers a range of facilities for passengers, including a prayer room, bank, and currency exchange centre.
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Toulouse Blagnac Airport is located 6.7km northwest of Toulouse
For transportation to and from the airport, travellers can utilise the T2 tram line, which previously connected the airport to Toulouse until it closed in 2023. It is set to reopen in 2026 as the new Aeroport Express line. Shuttle buses are also available, providing a direct connection to the Toulouse city centre in approximately 20 minutes. Additionally, there are specific buses serving other nearby destinations, and taxi services are available as well. Toulouse Blagnac Airport also offers car hire companies such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt.
The airport serves as a base for aircraft manufacturers Airbus and ATR, which conduct flight testing and delivery flights from the facility. Toulouse Blagnac Airport has a rich history, with a preserved Concorde aircraft formerly operated by Air France on display at the nearby Aeroscopia Museum. The airport has also witnessed several notable incidents, including crashes during test flights and engine failure tests.
Overall, Toulouse Blagnac Airport is a vital gateway to the Occitanie and Nouvelle Aquitaine regions, providing convenient access to Toulouse and the surrounding areas through a range of transportation options. With its single terminal design and various amenities, it caters to travellers' needs and ensures a smooth travel experience.
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Bordeaux Airport is one of the 10 busiest airports in France
France is home to several international airports, including Charles de Gaulle International Airport, which is considered the best airport in Paris. Paris has a total of three international airports. Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, which is located 20 km southeast of Lyon, is another major airport in France. It has two passenger terminals and is easily accessible from the city centre by taxi or train. The Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in Nice is the third-largest airport in France and serves as a gateway to the French Riviera and the Principality of Monaco.
Bordeaux Airport, also known as Bordeaux-Merignac Airport, is located in Merignac, just 12 km west of Bordeaux city centre. It is the fifth-largest airport in France outside of Paris in terms of traffic volume and is one of the busiest airports in the country. The airport consists of three passenger terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal Billi (a separate facility for low-cost carriers). Bordeaux Airport offers a range of facilities and services, including free WiFi, a prayer room, a currency exchange centre, and a baggage security service.
The airport is easily accessible from the city centre by bus, taxi, or tram (line A). There are also car rental services available at the airport, making it convenient for travellers who prefer to drive. Bordeaux Airport offers flights to both internal and international destinations, making it a popular choice for travellers visiting the region.
In addition to Bordeaux Airport, there are several other airports in the region, including smaller international airports such as Brive Dordogne Valley Airport and Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport. These airports offer budget-friendly options and convenient access to popular tourist destinations in the Dordogne Valley and the Nouvelle Aquitaine region.
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Frequently asked questions
France has around 500 airports, 148 of which are considered 'main' airports.
Paris has three international airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais Tille. Charles de Gaulle is the largest and busiest airport in France.
The third-largest airport in France is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, located 6 km southwest of downtown Nice. Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, located 20 km southeast of Lyon, is the fourth-largest airport in France. Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport is also one of the 10 busiest airports in France.
Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Biarritz Airport, Nantes Atlantique International Airport, and Marseille Airport are all international airports in France.
France falls under the European Union, so a Schengen visa is required to enter the country.
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