France, renowned for its varied landscapes and rich heritage, is a fantastic playground for unique, memorable experiences! Do you like to get your adrenalin pumping, and are you looking for new sensations? Why not take up the challenge of your first hot-air balloon flight ! It's one of the best ways to discover the different aspects of a region, both in terms of its natural environment and the towns, villages and monuments that enhance them. Here are 3 places where you can enjoy your first hot-air balloon flight, whether you're with a friend or just the two of you.
1. Giverny, land of the Impressionists
If you've ever been deeply moved by Impressionist paintings, then this hot-air balloon flight is for you! It's just over an hour's drive from Paris to Giverny in the Eure region. After receiving a briefing and participating in the inflation of the aircraft, get ready to fly over this part of Normandy, which was an infinite source of inspiration for the Impressionist painters. The hot-air balloon gently flies over Claude Monet's house and magnificent flower gardens. Nature unfolds before your eyes, with lush green fields, forests and the meandering Seine River. The Parc naturel régional du Vexin continues to unveil splendors such as the Château de Villarceaux and the charming town of Vétheuil. Later, you'll learn to spot the villages nestling in the heart of the Epte valley, before being amazed once again by the bocages of the Pays de Bray.
Flying over this part of Normandy gives you a better understanding of why it fascinated and inspired so many artists in the 19th century.
2. Lac de Serre-Ponçon, nature at its best
The mountains and their treasures promise an unforgettable hot-air balloon ride. Head to Savines-le-Lac, in the Hautes-Alpes, for a flight aboard a human-sized gondola. This intimate experience takes you over one of the wonders of the region: Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Quite simply, it's the largest man-made lake in mainland France, fed by the powerful torrential rivers Durance and Ubaye. While it remains a popular spot for water sports in fine weather, getting up high is sure to thrill. You'll enjoy contemplating the lake's turquoise waters, its dam, its steep banks that give it a wild character and, of course, the surrounding peaks.
Rest assured, you won't feel the slightest bit dizzy throughout the flight. All you have to do is savor the beauty of the scenery, the 360-degree panoramic view and your guide's anecdotes. The experience is made all the more marvellous at sunrise by the light. Once back on the ground, a comforting brunch will allow you to recover from your emotions and share your impressions.
3. The Marais Poitevin, from Green Venice to the Atlantic Ocean
Do you like a change of scenery? Then opt for a hot-air balloon flight from Niort. At dawn or dusk, as you prefer, taking to the skies from this city in western France allows you to contemplate the marvellous landscapes of the Marais Poitevin. The canals and dense vegetation that make up this natural region of France, straddling the departments of Vendée, Deux-Sèvres and Charente-Maritime, are incredibly beautiful. It's not for nothing that it's nicknamed the Green Venice. During the flight, you'll contemplate such splendors as the rich architectural heritage of Niort and the abbey of Maillezais, then the Sèvre Niortaise, which winds its way through the poplars to reach the Bay of Aiguillon. Yes, flying over the Marais Poitevin from Niort is a pleasant surprise, as you climb to a higher altitude and watch the sun flood La Rochelle, Ile de Ré, Ile d'Oléron and the Atlantic Ocean.
After the flight, it's time to pack up the balloon and share a toast with the pilot.
