Flying to France
The fastest way to reach your gite in southern France. Airports, airlines, car hire, and tips for finding cheap flights.
Flying is the fastest option for reaching southern France. While driving and ferries have their charm, a two-hour flight can have you in the Dordogne, Provence, or the Languedoc before you would even reach the Channel by car.
Many UK regional airports now have direct routes to French airports across the country, thanks to budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet. Combined with pre-booked car hire at the other end, flying is often the most practical — and sometimes the cheapest — way to reach your gite.
This guide covers the key French airports by region, how to compare airlines, and everything you need to know about picking up a hire car when you land.
Key Airports by Region
France has dozens of airports served by UK airlines. Here are the main ones, grouped by the region they serve.
Brittany & Normandy
Rennes, Nantes, and Dinard are the main airports for the north-west. Ryanair flies from Stansted and East Midlands. Nantes has a wider range of routes and is a good gateway to both southern Brittany and the northern Loire.
Dordogne & Aquitaine
Bergerac is the classic Dordogne airport — small, easy to navigate, and right in the heart of gite country. Bordeaux is larger with more routes and is perfect for the wider Aquitaine region. Biarritz serves the Basque Country and south-west coast.
Languedoc & South
Toulouse is the major hub for the south-west with excellent connections. Montpellier and Perpignan serve the Mediterranean coast. Carcassonne is a popular Ryanair destination and puts you right next to Cathar country and the Canal du Midi.
Provence & Cote d'Azur
Nice is the busiest regional airport in France and has year-round flights from most UK airports. Marseille is growing fast and is the gateway to Provence, the Camargue, and the Luberon. Both offer excellent car hire options.
Loire Valley & Central
Tours is served by Ryanair and is ideal for the chateaux of the Loire Valley. Poitiers has seasonal flights and is well placed for the northern Dordogne and Charente. Limoges has Ryanair routes and serves the Limousin and Haute-Vienne.
Alps
Lyon is the main gateway to the French Alps and the Rhone Valley, with year-round flights from several UK airports. Geneva (technically Switzerland, but right on the border) is excellent for the northern Alps. Grenoble has seasonal winter flights for ski holidays.
Paris (CDG & Orly)
Paris has the most flights from the widest range of UK airports, served by virtually every airline. If your gite is in northern France, Paris may be your closest airport. For the rest of France, Paris airports connect to the excellent TGV high-speed rail network — you can be in Lyon, Bordeaux, or Marseille within 2-3 hours of landing. This makes Paris a good fallback when direct regional flights are unavailable or too expensive.
Budget Airlines vs Full Service
The choice between budget and full-service airlines can make a big difference to the overall cost of your trip. Here is how they compare.
Budget Airlines (Ryanair, easyJet)
Base fares from as little as 20-40 pounds each way if you book early
Widest range of regional French airports — many routes that BA does not fly
Checked baggage costs extra — typically 25-45 pounds per bag each way. A family of four with suitcases can easily add 200 pounds to the trip cost.
Seat selection, priority boarding, and cabin bags may all cost extra. Check the total price including everything you need before comparing.
Full Service (BA, Air France)
Checked baggage usually included (23kg on BA, Air France). No nasty surprises at the airport.
Better flight times, more legroom, and generally a smoother experience. Free seat selection and no boarding scrums.
Better change and cancellation policies. If your plans change, you are less likely to lose everything.
Higher base fares — typically 80-200 pounds each way. Fewer regional French airports served.
The Real Comparison
Always compare the total cost including baggage, not just the headline fare. For a couple with one suitcase each, budget airlines are usually cheaper. For a family of four with multiple bags, the difference narrows — and sometimes full-service airlines work out cheaper once you add up all the extras.
Car Hire at the Airport
Unless your gite is within walking distance of the airport — and it will not be — you will need a car. Hiring a car at the French airport is the most popular option for gite holidays, and it could not be simpler.
Pre-Book for the Best Rates
Airport car hire desks charge a premium to walk-up customers. Book online at least a few weeks before you travel and you will typically pay 30-50 percent less. Comparison sites like Rentalcars, Auto Europe, and Holiday Autos search all the major providers at once.
Choose the Right Size
French rural roads can be narrow, so do not book the biggest car available unless you need it. A medium hatchback or estate is ideal for a family with luggage. If you are staying in a mountain area, consider a car with a bit more power for the climbs.
Insurance & Excess
The standard excess on French car hire can be 800-1500 euros. Consider buying excess waiver insurance from a third party before you travel — it costs a fraction of what the hire company charges at the desk and covers you for the same thing.
Fuel Policy
Always choose full-to-full fuel policy. You pick the car up with a full tank and return it full. The alternative — where they charge you for fuel at inflated rates — is never good value.
Tips for Finding Cheap Flights
Book Early
The cheapest fares are released 3-6 months before departure. For peak summer, booking in January or February can save you hundreds compared to leaving it until May.
Fly Midweek
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday flights are almost always cheaper than Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. If your gite booking allows it, flying out on a Tuesday and back on a Wednesday can save a surprising amount.
Be Flexible on Airports
Check multiple UK departure airports and multiple French arrival airports. Flying from Birmingham to Bergerac might cost twice as much as flying from Bristol to Bordeaux — and the drive to your gite could be similar.
Use Comparison Tools
Skyscanner and Google Flights are the best tools for comparing prices across airlines. Both let you search by month to find the cheapest dates, and Google Flights has a handy map view that shows prices to different airports.
Set Price Alerts
Both Skyscanner and Google Flights let you set alerts for specific routes. Set one up as soon as you know your dates and you will be notified when prices drop — airlines adjust prices constantly.
Consider Off-Peak
June and September flights are significantly cheaper than July and August. If you can avoid school holidays, you will save money on flights, car hire, and often the gite rental too.
Getting from the Airport to Your Gite
You have landed in France. Now how do you get to your holiday home?
Hire Car (Most Popular)
By far the most popular option. Pick up at the airport, drive to your gite, and have the freedom to explore the local area throughout your stay. Most regional French airports have all the major hire companies on-site.
TGV from Paris Airports
If you fly into Paris CDG, you can connect directly to the TGV high-speed train without entering Paris. CDG has its own TGV station. Trains reach Lyon in 2 hours, Bordeaux in 3, and Marseille in 3.5. Book TGV tickets via SNCF Connect for the best prices.
Private Transfers
Some gite owners can arrange a private transfer from the airport, or recommend a local driver. This is particularly useful if you do not want to drive in France. Companies like Suntransfers and Shuttle Direct offer pre-booked airport transfer services across France.
Find Your Perfect Gite in France
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