PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Flight Itinerary

We will meet you at the Cordeliers parking lot in Uzès, one hour before sunrise (5:15 am in summer).

We will pick you up in our vehicles and take you to a launch site suitable for the day’s weather conditions. At the launch site, after a safety briefing, you will participate in preparing the balloon.

Takeoff will be smooth. In the basket, you will float for an hour, carried by the winds, over the garrigue and villages of the Uzège region or the Cèze Valley. A magical, timeless moment!

The pilot will land the hot air balloon in the countryside. The recovery vehicle will meet us at the landing site. After loading the equipment onto the trailer, the new balloonists will share their experiences over a picnic lunch and a glass of sparkling wine.

Who is a hot air balloon flight for?

Children aged 6 and over are welcome, under the supervision of an adult. They must be at least 1.30 m tall for visual comfort. There is no upper age limit. You simply need to be able to get in and out of the basket and stand for one hour. If you have any health or mobility issues, consult your doctor and inform them when booking. Flights are not permitted for pregnant women. Your weight will be requested upon registration.

Clothing

Wear clothing made of natural fibers that covers your arms and legs. A cap or hat will protect you from the heat of the burners. Shorts, dresses, and skirts are not allowed. Good walking or athletic shoes are preferred over open-toed shoes. Flip-flops, sandals, and high heels are not permitted.

Items on board

Smartphones, cameras, and any other items you bring on board are your sole responsibility.

Why do we fly early in the morning or late in the afternoon?

Sunrises and sunsets offer ideal flying conditions, combining cool temperatures with steady winds.

Under certain winter weather conditions, it will be possible to fly during the day.

A hot air balloon can fly when the air is stable, the ambient temperature isn’t too high, and the winds are light: that’s why we fly early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Luckily, these are the times of day when the light is at its most beauty!

What are the flight conditions?

Our balloons do not exceed 1000 meters in altitude to ensure the comfort of our passengers, who do not suffer from the cold or lack of oxygen. The temperature is roughly the same as at takeoff. Often, it increases with sunrise.

How far will we travel?

A hot air balloon travels at the speed of the wind, carried by the air mass, at a speed generally between 5 and 20 kilometers per hour.

Can a hot air balloon be steered?

Yes and no.

No, because a hot air balloon has no rudder to turn right or left (unlike a dirigible).

However, the pilot can take advantage of the currents by changing altitude. They can thus find a favorable wind by ascending or descending a few dozen meters.

How do you determine the landing site?

While the pilot knows the balloon’s planned trajectory, they don’t know the exact landing spot at takeoff. They choose the landing site based on the terrain, wind strength, and direction.

How is the return to the launch site ensured?

On the ground, a motorized recovery team follows the hot air balloon. They will take you back to the initial meeting point.

Can my friends or family watch the flight?

Your loved ones are welcome to watch your flight and may even accompany us in their own vehicle. In this case, it’s important not to obstruct the recovery vehicle, to respect the areas we pass through, and not to enter agricultural or private land.

Celebration

As each hot air balloon flight is unique and exceptional, a light, friendly picnic will be served after landing to extend the enjoyment. You will be carried away by the bubbles of sparkling wine or non-alcoholic drinks which will echo the bubble of hot air that carried our balloon!