Balloon flight

Because seen from the sky, our French landscapes take on a completely different look, many people like to take to the top to live an experience rich in sensations and emotions. Among the many ways to explore the sky, there is one that allows a special communion with nature and the beauties it reveals. Hot air balloon flights provide passengers with a timeless moment for exceptional memories. Driven by the wind and carried by the calm and tranquility of the air, you will discover the magnificent landscapes and reliefs of our regions that will offer you a whole new dimension. Embark on an extraordinary journey in a hot air balloon....

Course of a hot air balloon flight

During a first flight in a hot air balloon, you will leave for 3 to 4 hours of a unique experience. You will join your accompanying team in a predefined location that will be the starting point of your flight. This starting point is carefully chosen to allow you to observe the most beautiful spots in the area in which you are taking off.

On site, it will then be time to prepare the balloon for takeoff. If you wish, you can take part in this preparation and discover the backstage of a hot air balloon flight. After carefully checking the equipment, the balloon pilot will connect the connecting cables to the basket and start inflating the balloon using the burner and a fan to slowly fill it with air. You will then receive a briefing to give you the basics, good practices and safety instructions you need to know to make your very first flight. The balloon inflated, it will then be time to take place in the basket for an hour of flight depending on the winds.

You will launch into the air for about an hour to fly over the most beautiful panoramas of your region. During the balloon flight, it is impossible to choose the itinerary. You will let yourself be carried and guided by the goodwill of the wind. This is why the starting point is carefully chosen by your pilot who knows the winds and currents. It will allow you to enjoy the best viewpoints available in your flight area.

At the end of this hour of calm and contemplation, you will quietly descend to reach the ground in complete safety at a place defined by your pilot. You will then apply the instructions taught by your guide for a smooth and safe landing. Once ashore, you can take part in the balloon storage for a complete balloon flight experience. You will thus discover all the secrets and basics of this atypical activity.

Hot air balloon flight: For what audience?

In accordance with DGAC regulations, hot air ballooning is open to all persons over 6 years of age and over 1m20. Due to the somewhat sporty landing, this activity is not recommended for pregnant women and people with mobility difficulties. Elderly people are advised to prefer an early morning flight in order to benefit from a smoother landing. Each of our service providers has air transport liability insurance to protect you during a flight.

How to be equipped during a hot air balloon flight?

For your hot air balloon flight it is advisable to bring a suit adapted to the season as well as walking or sports shoes. The temperature during a balloon flight does not vary significantly from the ground temperature. Indeed, the burner keeps the temperature constant. In addition, as the balloon moves with the wind, you will experience very few drafts. Nevertheless, the temperature can be cool at dawn and in the evening. In this case, do not hesitate to bring something to cover yourself and a possible headgear. In addition to your comfortable outfit, of course, remember to bring your camera to capture these exceptional moments!

Your flight in a hot air balloon in complete safety

To ensure your safety and to allow you to enjoy your flight in a hot air balloon in complete serenity, you will have access to an adapted supervision throughout the activity. A pilot in possession of the necessary qualifications and diplomas for recreational flight and air transport will accompany you during your flight. He will have informed you in advance of the safety instructions and the action to be taken during the trip. You will enjoy the peace of mind and total relaxation of this extraordinary experience.

When to make a hot air balloon flight?

It is possible to fly in a hot air balloon all year round depending on the weather conditions. However, the best season to take full advantage of your flights is generally from April to October due to milder weather. Early morning and late afternoon flights provide optimal conditions for this activity. Lower temperatures and light winds allow the air to stabilize and fly in good conditions. It is possible that despite the apparent good weather your pilot will postpone your flight due to winds exceeding 20 km/h. As the wind speed on the ground and at altitude is different, it is advisable not to take off when the ideal conditions are not met.

Where to fly in a hot air balloon?

All our regions are potentially accessible by hot air balloon. Depending on your desires and the landscapes you want to fly over, you should choose an appropriate starting point, then you can fly over valleys, rivers, forests, historic sites, villages, cultures, along the mountains... A large number of options are available to you as to the choice of landscape that will delight you.

France is full of wonders to discover from the air:

• Fly over the Dordogne and its many villages classified among the most beautiful villages in France;
• Admire the Bordeaux vineyards as you have never seen them before;
• Dominate the volcanoes of Auvergne to discover their difference in altitude and observe the remains of their craters;
• Get drunk with the bucolic colours of the lavender fields in Provence;
• Follow the course of the Loire and discover its castles and the beauty of their gardens;
• Take off in the Alps to attack Mont-Blanc, in the heart of a superb mountain range...

Night flight in a hot air balloon, an unusual experience

Add to the experience of a hot air balloon flight the tranquility and nocturnal atmosphere and you will obtain a unique and unforgettable moment. Some of our service providers offer you night flights to watch the sunrise in complete peace of mind.  You will depart at night around 4 a.m. for a one-hour flight to witness the magic of the early morning and the landscapes that gradually come to life.

What is the price for a hot air balloon flight?

The prices of a hot air balloon flight vary greatly depending on the packages chosen. Prices generally start at around €150 and can be as high as €800 for night flights, for example. Some service providers also offer special services for even more sensations such as parachute jumping from the balloon basket.

Hot air balloon flight: For what occasion?

Whether programmed or used as a surprise for a special occasion, ballooning is sure to leave an unforgettable memory.

Here are some opportunities that may inspire you:

• A wedding proposal: what could be more romantic than to ask for your loved one's hand and hold out in the air overlooking a breathtaking landscape?
• A wedding anniversary: celebrate your years of love with a symbolic and unforgettable flight in one of the most beautiful spots in France.
• A birthday: Celebrate your birthday or that of a loved one in a hot air balloon that can accommodate up to 12 people and share a special moment with family or friends.

Why do you need a hot air balloon flight?

Hot air balloons have always fascinated the world. They move, in silence, like mirages with unique colours and shapes. In addition to this magical aspect, balloon flight provides a feeling of well-being, tranquility and communion with nature indescribable. Its slow movements guided by the good will of the wind, its discretion thanks to its lack of engine, its unique beauty in the landscape ensures you a moment of total detachment from your daily life. You will fly over the fauna, flora and magnificent landscapes without noise pollution. A moment out of time, suspended in the air....

To offer or to be offered, hot air ballooning is one of those unforgettable experiences that will remain in your memory as a timeless parenthesis. As a couple, with family or friends, you will undoubtedly be won over by this activity, promising you moments of sharing rich in emotion and discovery.