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Paris Charles de Gaulle as the hub, Toulouse with Airbus final assembly and Nice with approaches over the sea – France combines heavy traffic with factory traffic.
2 spots listed
In aviation terms, France is strongly centered on Paris: Charles de Gaulle is the long-haul hub, while Orly mainly serves Europe and the French overseas territories. Toulouse is home to Airbus final assembly – that’s where test flights and deliveries show up that you won’t see anywhere else.
Photography from public land is allowed, but because of the security situation it is watched closely at airports. Stay outside barriers, calmly explain what you’re doing if in doubt, and expect security forces to ask about your purpose.
In the south, the midday light in summer is harsh and shimmery, but spring and fall are excellent. On the coast, the wind often shifts between day and night – so the runway direction can change over the course of the day.
Museums and exhibitions with historic and retired aircraft. Weather-proof, easy to plan and a chance to see types up close that stopped flying long ago.
Aeroscopia at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
Blagnac (Toulouse)
Right next to the Airbus final assembly line in Blagnac stand two Concordes, the second A380 ever built and the first A320 test aircraft. Aeroscopia is the perfect starting point for a spotting day in Toulouse – with a factory tour, test aircraft and Beluga traffic just a few kilometers away.
Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace at Paris-Le Bourget Airport
Le Bourget
One of the world’s largest aviation museums stands in Paris’s old 1937 airport terminal: two Concorde, a walk-through Air France 747, A380 number four and, from the terraces, a view of Europe’s most important business jet airport. Here is how to get the most out of your visit as a spotter.
The Planetrack spot map shows verified spots for each airport with directions, the best light and community ratings. Planetrack is launching soon – join the waitlist and get early access.
Related
The aircraft types you’ll come across in France are listed in the aircraft type database. You’ll find the airlines that fly there in the airline database. And profiles of the airports themselves are in the section Airports & manufacturers.