Transportation

Air

Currently, there are 143 airports operating in France, including a number of international and regional airports. France has experienced an exponential increase in the number of travelers choosing to fly, following the opening of the country's airways to competition. At Roissy alone, the number of passengers increased from 28.7 million in 1994 to 48.3 million in 2000. Large provincial towns, including Nice, Marseille, and Lyon also provide services to a significant larger number of passengers.

French airports [fr] 

International Airports

Lyon Saint Exupery 

Marseille Provence  

Nice Cote d'Azur 

Paris 

Strasbourg 

Rail

The SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Francais) operates the extensive national railway system that extends throughout France and into neighboring countries. Within ten years, rail traffic in France more than doubled to serve 69.9 billion passengers during 2000.

Tickets are available through SNCF boutiques in many towns, in stations, and through electronic ticketing. Some routes may require advance reservations. Free train schedules are available in railway stations and online.

SNCF 

High Speed Trains

TGV (Trains a Grande Vitesse) are operated by the SNCF and provide high speed service to main cities throughout France and into surrounding countries.

TGV 

Eurostar (Paris-London...) 

Thalys (Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam...) 

TER

The TER provides transportation within France's 22 regions.

TER 

Transilien

The Transilien is operated by the SNCF and serves commuters in the Ile-de-France, which include Paris and its surrounding regions.

Transilien 

Roads

France is traversed by a number of routes (roads) and autoroutes (motorways). Autoroutes, designated by a letter and number combination, provide access to the largest towns and cities throughout France. Travel maps are generally focus on a region, department, or the nation as a whole.

A number of roads contain tolls, peage, which may be paid in cash or by bank card. A number of highways contain rest areas containing amenities such as information centers, restrooms, telephones, service stations, restaurants, and shops. Emergency telephones are situated every 2 km on highways to aid motorists.

At peak commuting times, during the summer months and during the holidays, traffic may be disrupted around more densely populated areas. Bison fute is a service provided by the French government in order to reduce traffic congestion.

Bison Fute [fr]