Your Flight
Your Hot Air Balloon Ride
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Loire Montgolfières helps Loire Montgolfières plan your hot-air balloon flight in the Loire Valley and connects you with licensed operators who hold the necessary regulatory permits.
Flight services are sold, confirmed, and operated under the responsibility of the relevant certified air operator. Depending on weather and operational conditions, these flights offer a one-hour tour aboard a basket, allowing passengers to discover the region’s iconic landscapes, including the châteaux of the Loire Valley.
The airline operator’s pilots and ground crews have the necessary experience and qualifications to provide a professional, attentive service that meets all applicable safety requirements.
Download the complete, interactive passenger guide to get ready for your flight!
Book your flight
Select the flight package that suits you. You will then be guided through the steps required to request a reservation with the relevant airline.
Once you have completed this process, please be sure to fill out the passenger identification form, which is required to prepare for the flight. A confirmation will then be sent to you by 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
Hot-air balloon rides usually take place at dawn or dusk, when atmospheric conditions are most favorable and the light creates the most beautiful views.
On the scheduled day, passengers are met at the designated meeting point, usually at Domaine des Pierrettes, a local winery with parking available for vehicles.
The takeoff location is then determined by our professional partner pilots, under the supervision of the certified air operator, based on weather conditions, wind direction, and safety requirements. Depending on the conditions on the day, takeoff may take place in the vicinity of Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Cheverny, Chambord, Blois, or Montrichard.
The Grand Show
Inflating and preparing the hot air balloon is quite a spectacle. The crew unloads the basket the pilot goes over the safety instructions. You may be invited to participate in a few activities while the crew prepares the balloon (the envelope) for inflation. The balloon is inflated using fans, a process that takes about 25 minutes. Once fully inflated, it is then heated with gas from 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
After the flight, the airline and/or its partners may host a social gathering featuring some fine sparkling wine from Domaine des Pierrettes, as well as a flight certificate presented by the pilot to serve as a memento of the experience.
Depending on availability at Domaine des Pierrettes, participants may also be invited to sample the estate’s wines during a tasting hosted by the estate itself.
This experience concludes in a warm and friendly atmosphere, leaving you with unforgettable memories of your adventure in the sky.
Alcohol consumption is optional, strictly limited to adults, and should be kept to a moderate level. Non-alcoholic beverages may be offered as an alternative.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Please drink responsibly.
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.