Paris Planespotter Gifts • CDG, ORY & LBG Airport Code Gear for Avgeeks

YHM Designs is your source for airport code merchandise for Paris and cities across Europe, North America, and beyond — hats, mugs, hoodies, throw pillows, blankets, tote bags, and more, each built around the three-letter IATA code that defines a place. Whether you're shopping for a dedicated planespotter or wearing your own passion for aviation, you'll find the gear below. First, here's what you need to know about spotting in Paris.

Planespotting in Paris

Paris is one of the great three-airport planespotting destinations in the world — each field with its own distinct character, traffic mix, and spotting culture. Charles de Gaulle is the global heavyweight: a four-runway fortress hub for Air France handling super-heavy widebodies from every corner of the planet. Orly is the leisure and domestic specialist: a compact, busy field dominated by French overseas territory carriers, holiday widebodies, and a dense rotation of short-haul European traffic. Le Bourget is the crown jewel of business aviation: Europe's busiest corporate jet hub, home to Gulfstreams, Dassault Falcons, government transports, and — every two years in June — the legendary Paris Air Show. All three require a French Prefecture of Police permit to spot at the perimeter fence, so plan ahead before your visit.

Planespotting at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

CDG operates four parallel runways split into two complexes separated by miles — the North Complex (09L/27R and 09R/27L) and the South Complex (08L/26R and 08R/26L). You cannot cover both complexes from a single position, so verify active arrival corridors on Flightradar24 before selecting your location. Beyond the massive Air France fleet, expect a rich mix of heavy widebodies from French overseas carriers, and major African, Middle Eastern, and Asian airlines. A permit issued by the French Prefect of Police is mandatory for perimeter spotting — apply several weeks before your visit, and carry the physical printout alongside a valid passport at all times. The French Gendarmerie patrol the fence lines regularly and will fine unpermitted spotters.

Terminal 1 Parking P1 — Top Level

Taking the elevator to the highest open-air rooftop level of Parking P1 puts you directly above the fence line with excellent unobstructed side-profile tracking views of aircraft taxiing around the iconic circular Terminal 1 building and planes rotating off Runway 09L/27R. One of the most accessible on-site vantage points at CDG, and a strong starting position for covering the North Complex. Parking fees apply.

Terminal 2 Parking Garages — P2D / P2E Upper Levels

The upper open levels of the central Terminal 2 parking structures provide clean morning angles for logging tail numbers of Air France widebodies and SkyTeam alliance carriers pushing back from the gates. A productive complement to P1 for covering the southern terminal operations and the South Complex runway activity. Parking fees apply.

Avenue du Conseil de l'Europe — Southern Complex

Along the perimeter road bordering the south side of the airport, a grassy embankment next to the public sidewalk elevates your sightline clear of the security fencing, delivering a clean level angle to catch aircraft touching down or lifting off on Runways 08R and 26L. A reliable South Complex position when the active flow favors the southern pair. Permit required.

Rue de la Jeune Fille — FedEx Cargo Zone

Near the southwestern edge of the airport close to the massive FedEx Express European hub, public paths along the fence line deliver a close-up look at heavy cargo aircraft — including Boeing 777Fs and MD-11Fs — taxiing to and from the freight aprons. A specialist position for cargo enthusiasts that rewards patience and early morning visits when the overnight freight banks are active. Permit required.

Le Mesnil-Amelot Fields — Northern Complex

The rural public roads and open paths surrounding the village of Le Mesnil-Amelot border the northeastern boundary of the airport. In western flow, parking on the wide shoulders lines you up directly underneath the low-altitude final approach paths for Runway 27L — a dramatic, open-sky position with agricultural fields as backdrop. Permit required.

Practical Notes for CDG

Apply for your Prefecture of Police permit well in advance — it is required at all perimeter positions and must be carried alongside a valid passport at all times. The French Gendarmerie patrol the fence lines regularly and will fine unpermitted spotters. CDG's two runway complexes are separated by miles — check Flightradar24 before heading out and commit to either the North Complex or South Complex for your session. The Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 parking garages are the most accessible starting points and do not require you to be at the perimeter fence. For the widest variety of international heavy widebodies, any time of day delivers action — CDG is one of the busiest airports in the world around the clock. Parking fees apply at P1, P2D, and P2E.

Planespotting at Paris Orly Airport (ORY)

ORY operates three active runways: 06/24 (the primary east-west strip), 07/25, and 02/20. Shifting wind patterns dictate which threshold handles the active arrival banks — check Flightradar24 before selecting your position. The peak wave for heavy widebodies from the French Caribbean, Réunion Island, and North Africa typically lands in the early morning hours between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM — plan accordingly if Air Caraïbes A350s or Corsair 747s are on your list. The same Prefecture of Police permit required at CDG applies at ORY — carry the physical printout with your passport at all times.

Terminal 4 Terrace & Indoor Windows — Orly 4

The public terminal spaces and dining zones inside Orly 4 (the former Terminal Sud) feature massive windows delivering a fully climate-controlled, unobstructed view over the main aircraft parking aprons and central taxiway complex. A comfortable indoor option for extended sessions in any weather — particularly productive during the early morning overseas heavy wave when the terminal is quiet and the light is clean.

Terminal Garages P4a / P4b — Rooftops

The highest open-air floors of the multi-story parking structures near Orly 4 elevate your sightline above the perimeter fence line, delivering clear side-profile tracking views of aircraft backing out of gates and lining up on the runways. A practical elevated complement to the indoor terminal windows for covering the full apron layout. Parking fees apply.

Wissous Spotting Park — Parc de la Patte d'Oie

In the commune of Wissous along the northwestern boundary of the airport, this highly popular and officially tolerated outdoor spot lines up right under the final approach path in eastern flow. Passenger jets glide remarkably low overhead before clearing the fence line on Runway 06 — perfect for dramatic wide-angle belly photography with the open Île-de-France sky as backdrop. One of the most productive free outdoor positions in the Paris spotting scene. Permit required.

Paray-Vieille-Poste Fence Lines — Avenue de Rungis

The public footpaths through the commune of Paray-Vieille-Poste run parallel to the northern airport boundary along Avenue de Rungis, offering close-up tracking of aircraft taxiing past or holding short at the runway thresholds. A productive ground-level complement to the Wissous park for covering northern boundary movements. Permit required.

Practical Notes for ORY

The Prefecture of Police permit is required at all perimeter positions and must be carried with your passport. Target 6:00 AM–9:00 AM for the heaviest overseas widebody wave from the French Caribbean, Réunion, and North Africa. Check Flightradar24 for the active flow before selecting your position — eastern flow makes Wissous the premier approach spot, while other configurations shift the productive positions to the terminal garages and Avenue de Rungis. Parking fees apply at P4a/P4b.

Planespotting at Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LBG)

Le Bourget does not handle scheduled commercial airline flights — it is Europe's busiest business aviation hub, with traffic dominated by luxury corporate jets (Gulfstreams, Bombardier Globals, Dassault Falcons), private Boeing Business Jets, foreign government transports, and military aircraft. LBG operates three intersecting runways (07/25, 03/21, and 09/27) — check Flightradar24 for the active flow before selecting your perimeter position. The same Prefecture of Police permit required at CDG and ORY applies here. Note that during June of odd-numbered years, the airport transitions entirely to host the Paris Air Show — regular perimeter spotting is heavily restricted during this period due to high state security, but public days offer an unmatched global aviation spectacle.

Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace — Observation Terrace

At the southeastern corner of the airport, this world-class museum's outdoor observation terrace is widely considered the safest and most comfortable spotting position at Le Bourget. A museum ticket grants access to a vantage point directly above the flight line — an elite, unobstructed look at active corporate runways and taxiways alongside an impressive static collection including two supersonic Concordes. The essential first stop for any LBG visit.

AC Hotel Paris Le Bourget — Rooftop Bar

Directly east of the primary business aprons, the hotel's panoramic rooftop bar provides an elevated luxury vantage point for photographing and logging tail numbers of global business jets parked on the ramp or moving past the executive FBO hangars — without perimeter fences blocking your lens. A premium option that combines spotting with a comfortable setting.

Ibis Gonesse Hotel — Upper Floor Rooms

Situated northeast of the airfield between the active runway thresholds, upper floor rooms facing the airport offer a completely unique tracking experience. Windows open fully for crisp, vibration-free telephoto tracking shots from your room — one of the few airports in the series where your hotel room is a legitimate spotting position.

Avenue de l'Europe — Eastern FBO Aprons

This public road along the eastern boundary of the airfield passes the executive terminals — including Signature Aviation and Advanced Air Support. Public sidewalks deliver a very close look at the taxiing tracks, with a standard 70-200mm lens ideal for the working distance. Position your camera close to the fence mesh for the cleanest shots through the security wire. Permit required.

The Roundhouse Boundary — Dassault Falcon Service

Further down the eastern fence line near the distinctive circular Dassault maintenance hangar, public turnouts and side roads are highly popular among local spotters for side-profile tracking shots of newly serviced Falcon jets testing engines or taxiing to the runways. A specialist position that rewards visits timed around Dassault delivery and maintenance cycles. Permit required.

Practical Notes for LBG

The Prefecture of Police permit is required at all perimeter and roadside positions. The Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace terrace is the essential first stop and requires only a museum ticket, not a separate permit. Check the Paris Air Show calendar before planning your visit — perimeter spotting is heavily restricted during the show in June of odd-numbered years, though public days are a bucket-list aviation experience in their own right. Check Flightradar24 for the active flow before selecting your fence line position. A 70-200mm lens covers the Avenue de l'Europe positions well; longer glass rewards the Roundhouse boundary shots.

Paris CDG, ORY & LBG Airport Code Merchandise

Whether you're shopping for yourself or for the planespotter in your life, YHM Designs makes airport code merchandise for Paris featuring the CDG, ORY, and LBG codes — hats, mugs, hoodies, throw pillows, blankets, tote bags, and more, all made to order.

• Hats & Caps — the go-to spotting session companion, worn at the fence line from Le Bourget to Le Mesnil-Amelot
• Hoodies & Sweatshirts — for early morning overseas heavy waves at Orly and late evening transatlantic arrivals at CDG
• T-Shirts — everyday wear that says exactly where your head is at
• Coffee Mugs & Water Bottles — for the Musée de l'Air debrief, the home office, or the wait between Air France widebody banks
• Throw Pillows & Blankets — bring the airport home when you're not at it
• Totes & Bags — carry your gear and your city at the same time

Browse the full range: Paris CDG, ORY & LBG Airport Code Merchandise →

More Paris Planespotter Resources

• Guide to Planespotting — Equipment, Apps & Tips
• Gifts for Planespotters & Avgeeks — All Destinations

More International Planespotter Gift Pages

• London Planespotter Gifts (LHR/LGW/STN)
• Amsterdam Planespotter Gifts (AMS)
• Frankfurt Planespotter Gifts (FRA)
• Dubai Planespotter Gifts (DXB)
• Tokyo Planespotter Gifts (NRT/HND)
• Singapore Planespotter Gifts (SIN)
• Sydney Planespotter Gifts (SYD)

The spotting locations described on this page are intended as general guidance only. Conditions, access, and regulations change — always verify local permit requirements, check for posted restrictions before stopping, and respect any rules in place. When in doubt, move on and find another vantage point.