In this blog post, I present to you the 5 best spots for paragliding in France: Annecy and Chamonix in the west of France, Verdon and Millau in the south, and finally Normandy in the north. All 5 places offer exceptionally good conditions for paragliding in France and in each one there are very special things to see.
Whether you’re in the mood for a crash course in history, flying over Omaha Beach and other World War II sites, or just want to enjoy the beauty of nature around the world-famous Mont Blanc, France has it all and more!
Paragliding in Chamonix
Some of you may already know Chamonix as a famous ski resort near the Swiss and Italian borders. But even when the snow has melted, Chamonix remains a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, here you will find a very popular paragliding hotspot! The offer is very diverse: from standard and thermal flights to acrobatic and high-altitude flights, everything is possible. Just like in Annecy, the providers also offer flights for children from 4 to 12 years old.
Most flights start from the Planpraz mountain (2,000 m), which you can reach by cable car. Immediately after takeoff, you will glide with the wind and admire the breathtaking Chamonix valley. Mont Blanc and some of the longest glaciers in Europe, such as the “Mer de Glace” (Sea of Ice) and the Géant Glacier, await you here.
Paragliding in Annecy
Annecy is a city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in southeastern France. It is located on the northern tip of the beautiful Lake Annecy. However, in order to have the best conditions for flying and also the most beautiful views, you must first go to the southern tip of the lake, as most paragliding schools have their base in the village of Doussard.
You can choose between different types of tandem flights: Standard flights, thermal flights, cross-country flights, and even acrobatic flights. There are also flights for children from 3 to 14 years old. Your flight will start from the Col de la Forclaz mountain pass, at an altitude of 1,527 meters. As you soar through the skies of Annecy, you can see what makes this place so special: the breathtaking views! The area offers stunning scenery, including the high cliffs of La Tournette and the majestic Dents-de-Lanfon mountain. You may also see the charming Duingt Castle, which sits on a small peninsula on Lake Annecy, and if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the snow-capped peak of the famous Mont Blanc.
Paragliding in Verdon
The famous Verdon Gorge undoubtedly has a lot to offer (rafting, canyoning, kayaking, and much more), but the region’s impressive sights can also be explored from above! Most flights start near Barrême and take you over the Verdon Regional Nature Park and Castillon Lake.
The offer includes standard, thermal, and cross-country flights as well as exciting gyrocopter offers. A gyrocopter is a small and easy-to-maneuver helicopter that allows you to fly longer distances. For example, you can fly over the emerald waters of Lake Castillon, over large lavender fields, or even over Lake Sainte-Croix.
Paragliding in Millau
The next hotspot for paragliding in France is Millau, a commune in the Occitanie region in the south of France. It is best known for its viaduct, the Millau Viaduct because it is also the highest bridge in Europe. Apart from the viaduct, paragliding in Millau also gives you a beautiful view of the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park.
The providers in Millau have four possible launch sites: Puncho d’Agast (840m), Brunas (720m), Novis (870m) and Pic d’Anda (840m). Very important: Only acrobatic flights are offered here, which means that if you want to make a quiet flight to enjoy the view in peace, Millau might not be the right spot for you. However, if you are looking for an adrenaline rush, this is the place for you. 360, wingovers, loops – these tricks may not mean anything to you yet, but you’ll soon be able to try them out and whiz through the air at over 100 km/h!
Paragliding in der Normandie
Last but not least on my list of the best spots for paragliding in France is Normandy. The region is located in the north of France. Our local providers offer standard, thermal, acrobatic, and cross-country flights. Among the many offers, you will also find a special children’s flight for children between 5 and 11 years. The providers have numerous launch sites around Carolles, Commes, Granville, and Clécy.
The exciting thing about paragliding in Normandy is, of course, the view. The timelessly beautiful island of Mont-Saint-Michel, historic D-Day landing beaches like Omaha Beach, other World War II sites like artillery batteries and American cemeteries, as well as Granville and the Chausey Archipelago – the list goes on! There’s just so much to see here that you’ll want to take off as soon as you land.
0 Comment