Low Cost Airlines Flying to the Provence
There are two large airports serving the Provence: Marseille-Marignane and Nice-Côte d'Azur. You can fly non-stop from the US to both airports. Check with Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity or directly with the airlines. British Airways normally has good deals for those flying in from North America, Australia and Asia, that is if you can stomach London Heathrow's chaos and BA's dismal baggage handling record. Coming from the US the next best thing to flying directly is to go through Brussels or take a flight to Paris and the TGV high speed train down to your destination in the Provence.
There are many low cost carriers flying to Marseille, Nice and some of the smaller airports, like Nîmes, Toulon and Avignon. Ryanair has established a hub in Marseille in 2007. Ryanair, Easyjet and Air Berlin have the most extensive network and fly year round. Some of the samller airlines have service only during the tourist season. In any case you need to check with the airlines' websites directly as they don't sell tickets through Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity. Here is a short overview of what low cost airline flies to what airport (as of March 2008):
Avignon
The Avignon-Caumont airport, 8km east of Avignon-Centre is tiny, cute and has just been upgraded. Very close to Autoroute A7.
Flybe (Southampton, Exeter)
Marseille
The Marseille-Marignane airport lies 27km northwest of Marseille Centre with easy access to the Autoroute A51 leading north to the east/west Autoroute A8. In other words you don't have to drive through Marseille to reach your final destination in the Provence. The airport has ample services and an excellent website explaining all of this.
Brussels Airlines (Brussels)
Ryanair (UK, Belgium, Holland, Scandinavia)
EasyJet (London-Gatwick, Bristol)
Germanwings (Germany, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Turkey)
BMI Baby (mainly Midlands)
Montpelier
Ryanair (London, Frankfurt)
Sterling Flights (Scandinavia)
EasyJet (London-Gatwick)
Nice
Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport (www.nice.aeroport.fr) lies a few miles west of the centre of Nice, right at the edge of the sea. So if you're on a short break to Nice you won't spend much time travelling to and from you accommodation in Nice. Free shuttle service between the two terminals, with drop-offs at the various car parks, including the car hire parking area near Terminal 2.
Brussels Airlines (Brussels)
EasyJet (UK, Berlin, Paris, Basel-Mulhouse)
Ryanair (Dublin)
Germanwings (Germany, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Turkey)
Air Berlin (Germany, Scandinavia, Paris, London, Rome)
Sterling Flights (Scandinavia)
Blue 1 (Helsinki)
Norwegian (Norway)
Fly Nordic (Stockholm)
Flybe (Southampton, Exeter, Jersey)
Sky Europe (Austria/Eastern Europe)
BMI Baby (mainly Midlands)
fly baboo (Geneva)
Nîmes
Ryanair (UK, Brussels)
Toulon
Toulon-Hyères Airport is located southeast of Hyères, just 23km from Toulon and 52km from Saint Tropez.
Ryanair (London Stansted)
Saint Tropez
fly baboo (Geneva)
