Nîmes - Garons

1Terminal area

Spot 1 offers opportunities for viewing (and reading) the terminal area and the opposite side of the runway. The AvDef hangar is here as well. Not a spot for photography, though. To get here, exit the highway when the airport is signposted. Head towards the terminal and turn right at the roundabout. You can park your car on the parking lot of 'Aviation Defence'.

2Sécurité Civile

This spot is ok for reading the Sécurité Civile helicopters on site. Again not a spot for ultimate photography. To get here, head south from spot 1 and go straight ahead on the roundabout. The Sécurité Civile building pops up on your right. South of this building, you can find the hangar and platform. Walking along the fence can get you a good peek in the hangars.

3Runway 36

The approach of runway 36 is OK for reading and photography. To get here, head south from spot 2 and turn right towards the D42 (after passing a company the produces sewer pipes). The runway approach lighting will be visible on your right (in between the vineyards). There is plenty of space to park your car.

4Runway 18

The approach of runway 18 is comparable to runway 18; OK for the photographers and number crunchers. To get here from spot 3, turn right onto the D42 heading north. After passing the former main gate of the Aeronavale base, you can turn right onto the D442. Along the D442 there are plenty of opportunities to park you car.

5Runway 18 / dump

While passing the dump and gate-guard heading for spot 4 you will find yourself on a very busy road (D42) and stopping is not really an option. This spot is an option for reading the dump and an alternative for spot 4. Photography of aircraft heading for runway 18 is OK and you can position yourself without being 'in the picture' too much. To get here, turn right onto a dirt road just before you cross the highway again.

6Preserved aircraft

Along the west side of the base, three aircraft used to be on display along the D42. However, only the Atlantique is left now. The C-47 has been transported to Lorient for display there, and the Alizé has gone as well.