Your Flight
Your Hot Air Balloon Flight
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We plan your hot air balloon flight with meticulous precision to guarantee you 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-of-the-range service. You will spend 3-4 hours in the company of our passionate and friendly team, who will always be remembered as a magical experience.
Download our comprehensive and interactive passenger guide to prepare before your flight!
Book your flight
Select the ticket of your choice (adult, child, group, family) and follow the purchase procedure. At the end of the transaction, please be sure to complete the passenger identification form. You will then receive an order confirmation email.
A few hours later, you'll receive the ticket(s) as an attachment. Use the details on the ticket to access the online calendar and book the exact date of your flight.
You'll receive the weather update for your flight the day before by email and SMS between 2pm and 4pm.
When the flight is confirmed, the exact meeting time, location and GPS coordinates are indicated. If the flight is cancelled, you will be invited to choose a new flight date - depending on the validity of your ticket.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 enjoy the most beautiful light of the day. 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 is at this point that the pilots decide on the take-off location from the following sites: Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont sur Loire, Cheverny, Chambord, Blois and Montrichard.
The Grand Show
The inflation and preparation of the hot air balloon are quite a sight. The team unloads the basket while the pilot informs you of the safety instructions. You may be invited to participate in a few activities while our team prepares the balloon (the envelope) for inflation. The balloon is inflated using fans, a process that takes about 25 minutes. Once well inflated, it is then heated with gas by the burner.
Up in the clouds
After a smooth take-off, you'll take off for a magical adventure in the skies, flying over the magnificent landscapes of the Loire Valley. You'll have the opportunity to admire its historic châteaux, green fields and charming little towns.
During your hot air balloon flight, keep an eye out for birds such as herons, swans and wild ducks flying over the expanses of water, as well as land mammals such as deer and wild boar moving through the surrounding woods.
Back to Earth
It's time to prepare for landing! The pilot selects the most suitable field and asks you to resume the safety positions. The basket touches the ground gently. You will be invited to join the team to help pack away the balloon. This team activity is not only fun, but it is also an integral part of the hot air balloon 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 bubbles from Domaine des Pierettes accompanied by some snacks, as well as a flight certificate presented by the pilot to commemorate this unique experience. Afterwards, you are 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 works on the principle of lift. Hot air is introduced into the envelope of the balloon by gas burners, which heats the air inside. As hot air is less dense than the surrounding cold air, it creates an upward thrust, allowing the balloon to rise into the air. The pilot can control the altitude by adjusting the amount of heat produced by the burners. To descend, the pilot can allow the air inside the envelope to cool naturally.
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At Loire Montgolfières, we do our best to find the right winds and direction to ensure the best possible flight experience.
This means that our pilots adjust the altitude of the hot air balloon to look for winds blowing in the desired direction, but it is important to note that the exact direction of the flight depends largely on weather conditions and available winds. -
In a hot air balloon, it is difficult to predict the landing site precisely, 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 the fleeting moments in life that must be appreciated. Wherever we land, we know that at least during our flight, we have truly experienced something magical. -
Each hot air balloon is followed by a team of professionals equipped with all-terrain vehicles. They'll be the ones to bring 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 bubbly in your hands ;-)
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Generally, we fly at wind speed, usually up to 20 km/h. The flight altitude varies between treetop level and 1000 meters.