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Your flight

Your hot-air balloon flight
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We plan your hot-air balloon flight with meticulous precision to ensure an exclusive, safe and unforgettable experience. Our team of professional pilots and ground staff are trained and experienced in the exciting art of hot-air ballooning to guarantee you a top-class service. You'll spend 3-4 hours in the company of our passionate and friendly team, which will always be remembered as a magical experience.

Download our comprehensive, interactive passenger guide to help you prepare for your flight!

Book your flight

  1. Select the ticket of your choice (adult, child, group, family) and follow the purchase procedure. At the end of the transaction, please fill in the passenger identification form. You will then receive an e-mail confirming your order.

  2. A few hours later, the ticket(s) are attached. Use the details on the ticket to access the online calendar and book the exact date of your flight.

  3. You receive the weather forecast for your flight the day before by e-mail and SMS between 2 and 4 pm.
    When the flight is confirmed, the exact rendezvous time, location and GPS point are indicated. If the flight is cancelled, you are invited to reschedule your flight - depending on the validity of your ticket.

  4. Meet at the exact time at:
    Domaine Viticole des PIERRETTES
    9 Le Meunet, 41150, Rilly sur Loire

A warm welcome

Our hot-air balloon flights take place at dawn or dusk, to avoid thermal winds and take advantage of the most beautiful daylight. Our pilots and crew warmly welcome you to our meeting point - the Domaine de Pierettes, a local vineyard with ample parking for your vehicles.

It's at this point that the pilots decide where to take off, from one of the following sites: Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont sur Loire, Cheverny, Chambord, Blois and Montrichard: Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont sur Loire, Cheverny, Chambord, Blois and Montrichard.

The Grand Show

Inflating and preparing the balloon is a real spectacle. The team unloads the basket while the pilot briefs you on safety instructions. You may be invited to take part in a few activities while our team prepares the balloon (the envelope) for inflation. The balloon is inflated using fans, a process that takes around 25 minutes. Once properly inflated, it is then heated by the gas burner.

In the clouds

After a gentle takeoff, you'll take to the skies for a magical adventure, flying over the magnificent landscapes of the Loire Valley. You'll have the chance to admire its historic castles, verdant fields and charming little towns.

During your hot-air balloon flight, keep a keen eye out for birds such as herons, swans and wild ducks flying over the bodies of water, as well as land mammals like deer and wild boar moving through the surrounding woods.

Back to Earth

Time to prepare for landing! The pilot selects the most suitable terrain and asks you to return to the safety positions. The basket touches down gently. You'll be invited to join the team to help put the balloon away. This team activity is not only fun, it's also an integral part of the ballooning experience and is appreciated by all our customers.

The Pilots Toast and Wine Tasting

To celebrate your adventure in the skies, we offer you some fine Domaine des Pierettes bubbles accompanied by some snacks, as well as a flight diploma presented by the pilot to commemorate this unique experience. Afterwards, you're invited to a wine tasting.

We end this memorable day with a warm Bientôt... our hearts and minds filled with the memories and emotions of your great adventure with Loire Montgolfières.

Frequently asked questions
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  • A hot-air balloon operates on the principle of lift. Hot air is introduced into the balloon envelope via gas burners, heating the air inside. As the warm air is less dense than the surrounding cold air, it creates upward thrust, enabling the balloon to rise into the air. The pilot can control altitude by adjusting the amount of heat produced by the burners. To descend, the pilot can let the air inside the envelope cool naturally.

  • At Loire Montgolfières, we do our best to find the right winds and direction to ensure the best possible flying experience.
    This means that our pilots adjust the altitude of the balloon to look for winds blowing in the desired direction, but it's important to note that the exact direction of flight depends largely on the weather conditions and available winds.

  • In hot-air ballooning, it's difficult to predict the exact landing spot, as it depends on weather conditions and winds at altitude.

    At Loire Montgolfières, we believe that in life, it's the journey that really counts. It's life's fleeting moments that should be appreciated. Wherever we land, we know that at least during our flight, we have truly experienced something magical.

  • Each balloon is followed by a team of professionals equipped with all-terrain vehicles. They will take you back to our meeting point.

    If you're really brave, you can even opt to walk back with the basket on your back, while holding a glass of bubbles in your hands ;-)

  • In general, we fly at wind speed, usually up to 20 km/h. Flight altitude varies from treetop to 1000 meters.