France has 11 major airports that handle both domestic and international flights across the country. Paris alone has two big ones, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, while cities like Nice, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, Beauvais, Lille, and Strasbourg cover the rest of the map. Each France airport on this list plays a different role, from long-haul arrivals to short regional hops between cities.
In this guide, you'll read more about each major airport, their airport codes, terminal setup, and the amenities they offer. We also cover Paris France airport options in detail, along with tips on picking the right one for your route through the country.
Quick Reference: All 11 France Airports at a Glance
Airport Name | City | IATA Code | Domestic / International |
Charles de Gaulle Airport | Paris | CDG | International |
Orly Airport | Paris | ORY | International |
Beauvais-Tillé Airport | Beauvais (near Paris) | BVA | International |
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport | Nice | NCE | International |
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport | Lyon | LYS | International |
Marseille Provence Airport | Marseille | MRS | International |
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport | Toulouse | TLS | International |
Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport | Bordeaux | BOD | International |
Nantes Atlantique Airport | Nantes | NTE | International |
Lille Airport | Lille | LIL | International |
Strasbourg Airport | Strasbourg | SXB | International |
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Charles de Gaulle is France's busiest airport and the main international gateway for the country. It is located in the northeast region of Paris, roughly 23 km from the city centre, and connects Paris to destinations across the world through dozens of airlines.
- Category: International
- Airport Code: CDG
- Terminals: Three main terminals, with Terminal 2 split into several sections for different airlines
- Amenities: Currency exchange, pharmacies, lounges, and a train station for onward travel
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
Orly is the second major Paris airport and is about 14 km from the centre. It is closer to the city than CDG. This Paris France airport code is easy to remember: ORY. It handles a mix of domestic and short-to-medium-haul international flights with a lighter crowd overall.
- Category: International
- Airport Code: ORY
- Terminals: Single terminal complex split into four zones
- Amenities: Medical facilities, car rental counters, and lost property services
Beauvais-Tillé Airport
Beauvais is approximately 80 km far from the north of Paris. It mainly serves low-cost and charter flights. It works well as a value-friendly France airport if your dates line up with the right fares and you don't mind a longer transfer.
- Category: International
- Airport Code: BVA
- Terminals: Two terminal
- Amenities: Basic food counters and a bus link to central Paris
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
Nice is the main airport for the French Riviera, a stretch of Mediterranean coastline known for its beaches and coastal towns. This French airport is close to Monaco and handles both leisure and business travellers heading to the coast.
- Category: International
- Airport Code: NCE
- Terminals: Two terminals
- Amenities: Shopping zones, SIM card counters, and premium lounges
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport
Lyon offers a gateway to the Alps and central France. This is why it is often used as a common entry point for winter sports visitors. Its terminal layout separates Air France flights from other airlines.
- Category: International
- Airport Code: LYS
- Terminals: Two terminals
- Amenities: Lounges and shopping areas, plus a tram link to the city
Marseille Provence Airport
Marseille Provence Airport serves the southern coast and the Provence region, an area known for its lavender fields and hillside towns. This France airport splits its traffic between international arrivals and domestic routes.
- Category: International
- Airport Code: MRS
- Terminals: Two terminals
- Amenities: Medical facilities, first aid counters, and a range of shops
Other Major France Airports Worth Knowing
A few more regional airports round out the list. Each one is smaller than the ones above but still plays a key role in connecting its region to the rest of France and beyond. Most run one or two terminals and focus on domestic routes, with a handful of international links added during the busier travel months.
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
This airport serves Toulouse, France's aerospace hub.
- Code: TLS
- Category: International
- Terminals: One single main passenger terminal split into four distinct halls: Hall A, Hall B, Hall C, and Hall D
- Amenities: Currency exchange, prayer room, mobile charging points
Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
It serves the wine region around Bordeaux.
- Code: BOD
- Category: International
- Terminals: Three, including a low-cost hall
- Amenities: Lounges and currency exchange counters
Nantes Atlantique Airport
It caters to western France and the Loire Valley.
- Code: NTE
- Category: International
- Terminals: One, split into four halls
- Amenities: Medical facilities and mobility assistance
Lille Airport
This airport serves northern France, close to the Belgian border.
- Code: LIL
- Category: International
- Terminals: One compact terminal spread across three floors, with a separate freight terminal for cargo only
- Amenities: Shopping zones, baby care rooms, and a business centre
Strasbourg Airport
It serves the Alsace region near the German border.
- Code: SXB
- Category: International
- Terminals: One, split across two floors
- Amenities: Car rentals, currency exchange, and a pharmacy
How to Pick the Right Airport for Your France Route
- Match the airport to your final destination, not just the cheapest fare you find
- Heading to the Riviera means Nice makes more sense than landing in Paris and connecting onward by train
- The same logic applies to the Alps through Lyon, or the Atlantic coast through Nantes or Bordeaux
- Every France airport on this list links to a train or bus network, so reaching smaller towns from any of them is rarely a problem once you land
- If your route includes more than one stop at an international airport in France, check whether the same airline covers both legs, since that usually keeps baggage handling simple
- Booking a domestic connection through the same carrier as your main flight also tends to give you more room if a delay pushes your schedule back
Things to Check Before You Fly Into France
- Confirm which Paris airport your flight lands at, since CDG and Orly sit on opposite sides of the city and transfers between them take over an hour.
- Check your connecting train or bus schedule ahead of time, especially at smaller airports like Beauvais or Strasbourg where services run less often.
- If you are landing at a busy Paris airport, keep your onward transport booked in advance to avoid long waits at peak hours.
Conclusion
All of these 11 airports cover France well, for both short domestic hops and long international arrivals. Knowing the right France airport for your destination saves both time and money once you land, and it makes the rest of your France itinerary easier to plan around. At Holiday Tribe, we help you plan the full route, from your flight into France to the stops you make once you arrive, so the whole journey stays simple from start to finish.
