France has international, intercity, regional and local (city) buses.

The center for all sorts of bus activities in any French city or town is the Gare Routière (Highway Station, Bus Terminal), usually located next to or near the traditional Gare SNCF train station.

City buses and trams usually serve the Gare Routière and connect it to other important points, such as other transport stations and the city center.

International Buses

Buses connect major cities in France with nearby countries. Fares are often lower than train or plane fares, but travel times are usually much longer and station facilities less pleasant. Eurolines is a major operator. Ouibus is an intercity and international service of SNCF.

Intercity Buses

Intercity buses within France, operated by Ouibus or Eurolines, are a budget alternative to trains, though they may take twice as long as trains, and several times longer than planes, to make the journey.

Regional Buses

Each of France's regions has a government-approved regional bus system connecting smaller towns and some villages with major cities and transport hubs.

Local (City) Buses

Useful city bus services exist in every French city of any size, and in many towns, connecting the Gare SNCF (train station), Gare Routière (bus terminal) and other transport termini with the city center and other important points.

Navettes

A navette is a shuttle bus taking you on a short route between related points, such as between terminals at a large airport, or between one train station and another, or from a station to a town center. A navette may be a minibus, short-run train, or full-sized bus. It's a shuttle.

Bus Stops

Bus stops are usually modern and presentable with useful information and maps about routes, hours of operation and fares. In some cities, tickets may be bought with cash on the bus. In others, you should buy your ticket from a ticket machine before boarding.

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