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Frequently Asked Questions

All the answers to your questions
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General

  • Loire Montgolfières a company dedicated to offering hot-air balloon rides in the Loire Valley and connecting customers with certified operators.

    We assist our customers in planning their trip, paying particular attention to the quality of our service, the clarity of the information we provide, and ensuring that their flight goes smoothly.

    Flight services are sold, confirmed, and operated by our authorized partner Air Magic Montgolfières / EIRL Hallier Jérôme, which holds an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC), or, where applicable, by other partner operators holding the necessary authorizations.

    Contractual reservations, ticket issuance, flight operations, and operational liability are the sole responsibility of the relevant certified air operator. Pilots operate under the authorization and responsibility of that operator.

  • 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.

  • A hot-air balloon doesn't steer like an airplane: it moves mainly with the wind. However, the professional pilot in charge of the flight can adjust the altitude to find more favorable air currents.

    The exact direction of the flight always depends on the weather conditions and wind patterns on the day of the experience. It is also this element of the unexpected that makes every hot-air balloon flight unique.

  • The ideal conditions for a balloon flight are generally clear skies, calm winds and stable weather.

  • The hot air ballooning season in the Loire Valley starts in April and continues until October.

Your Booking
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    1. Select the ticket of your choice 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 e-mail confirming your order.

    2. 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 specific date of your flight.

    3. If you have any difficulties or cannot make your flight, you can contact us by sending an e-mail to bonjour@loiremontgolfieres.fr or by calling us on +33 7 44 99 19 27 to make a reservation.

    4. 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 point are indicated. If the flight is cancelled, you will be invited to choose a new flight date - depending on the validity of your ticket.

    5. Meet at the exact time at:Domaine Viticole des PIERRETTES9 Le Meunet, 41150, Rilly sur Loire

  • Your ticket is valid for 2 years from the date of purchase.

    You will find all the necessary information on this subject in the General Terms and Conditions of Sale.

    Our hot air balloon tickets are valid for 24 months from the date of purchase. If two reservations per flight season have been made during the period of validity and canceled by Loire Montgolfieres or its service providers, tickets at the end of their validity will be extended by one flight season at no additional cost. If two reservations per flight season have not been made, the ticket may be extended for a period of one year after payment of an additional extension fee of €50 per ticket, and this request must be made before the ticket's expiry date. Any ticket older than three years will be permanently expired.

  • Confirmation of your experience will be sent via text message and/or email the day before, usually between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. This message will indicate whether the experience is confirmed, pending a final weather update, or canceled due to weather or operational reasons.

    Once the booking is confirmed, the exact time, meeting location, and GPS coordinates will be provided.

    Loire Montgolfières be held responsible for failure to receive the text message or email in the event of an error in the contact information provided, a problem with the mobile carrier, or a technical malfunction beyond its control.

    Flights may be canceled by the licensed airline operator or the pilot in command, particularly in the event of adverse weather conditions, safety concerns, operational unavailability, or insufficient passenger numbers. This decision may be made up until the moment of takeoff.

    In this case, Loire Montgolfières passengers in rescheduling their experience, in accordance with the ticket’s terms and conditions.

  • Hot air balloon flights are directly dependent on weather and atmospheric conditions.
    A flight can only take place when safety conditions are met, specifically when there is light wind, no significant gusts, no rain, and sufficient visibility.

    In the event of a cancellation due to weather or operational reasons, your ticket remains valid until the end of its validity period. You can then make a new reservation online, subject to availability.

    Since weather forecasting is not an exact science, the final decision rests solely with the professional pilot in charge of the flight, acting under the responsibility of the certified air operator. This decision is based on professional meteorological data, locally observed conditions, and safety requirements.

    The forecasts available on general-purpose weather websites can provide a general idea, but they are not a sufficient basis for confirming or canceling a flight.

    Despite all precautions taken, there may be rare instances where a flight is canceled on-site if conditions deteriorate. This decision rests solely with the pilot, in his capacity as captain, based in particular on wind conditions, visibility, the takeoff area, the landing site, and the conditions encountered on the day of the flight.

    In this case, Loire Montgolfières passengers in rescheduling their experience, in accordance with the ticket’s terms and conditions.

  • You will need to make an appointment online within the validity period of your ticket.

    Very often, depending on the weather and availability at the time, we send you SMS messages to offer you a flight with favorable weather around your cancelled appointment.

    It is important not to wait until the end of the validity of your tickets to think about booking your flight.

  • We recommend that you wait for the weather confirmation sent the day before before incurring non-refundable expenses for your travel or accommodations.

    Since hot-air balloon rides are directly dependent on the weather, a cancellation may occur the day before or, more rarely, on-site if conditions deteriorate. To avoid unnecessary expenses, we recommend choosing accommodations with flexible cancellation policies.

    In the event of a cancellation due to weather or operational reasons, your ticket remains valid until the end of its validity period, and you can book a new date online.

  • No need to! As part of our effort to be more environmentally friendly, we ask you not to print your tickets to reduce paper use. All we need is an accurate update of your first and last names so we can call you on the day. We don't collect paper tickets or appointment confirmations because our booking tool will handle everything without excessive paper use.

  • Your ticket is valid for 2 years from the date of purchase.
    Our tickets are non-refundable, unless you have purchased the Freedom option for flights.

Your Flight
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  • Hot-air balloon rides may be available, depending on weather conditions, in the areas around Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont-sur-Loire, Cheverny, Chambord, Blois, or Montrichard.

    The exact takeoff location is determined by the professional pilot in charge of the flight, under the responsibility of the certified air operator, based on weather conditions, wind direction, visibility, authorized areas, and safety requirements.

    We do our very best to provide an experience that offers stunning views of the landscapes and châteaux of the Loire Valley. However, we cannot guarantee that you will fly over or see a specific château, as a hot-air balloon’s route naturally depends on the wind and weather conditions on the day of the flight.

    A hot-air balloon ride is a gentle and unpredictable adventure, carried along by air currents. The art of piloting lies in using the different layers of wind to steer the balloon as effectively as possible, while adhering to safety regulations and taking advantage of the weather conditions.

    Every experience is unique: depending on the day’s route, passengers can admire the vineyards, forests, rivers, villages, and iconic landscapes of the Loire Valley.

    The region is also home to remarkable biodiversity. Depending on the areas flown over and the prevailing conditions, it is sometimes possible to spot birds near waterways, wildlife in the woods, or the shifting light across fields and valleys from the air.

    It is this element of the unexpected that makes every hot-air balloon ride unique, authentic, and memorable.

  • Generally, we fly at wind speed, usually up to 20 km/h. The flight altitude varies between treetop level and 1000 meters.

  • When flying in a hot-air balloon, the landing site cannot be determined precisely in advance. It depends on weather conditions, wind direction, the course of the flight, and the terrain available at the time of landing.

    The professional pilot in charge of the flight selects the most suitable airfield, under the responsibility of the certified air operator, taking safety requirements into account.

    This element of the unexpected is part of the experience: every flight offers a different route and a unique moment above the landscapes of the Loire.

  • The meeting time is set the day before between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM via SMS confirmation.
    It depends on the weather forecast and the time of sunrise and sunset.

    In general, meeting times are: in the morning 1 hour before sunrise and in the evening 3 hours before sunset.

    Approximate meeting times for hot air balloon flights, depending on the season:

    Spring - Summer:
    Morning: Between 05:00 and 07:00
    Evening: Between 17:00 and 19:00

    Autumn - Winter:
    Morning: Between 07:00 and 09:00
    Evening: Between 15:00 and 17:00

    These times are subject to adjustment depending on weather forecasts and the specific conditions of each day.

  • During the day, you'll notice that it's windy because the sun heats the earth and creates disturbances and instability. To take advantage of the cool hours and a steady wind.

  • A clear blue sky alone is not enough to guarantee that flying is possible. The most important factors include wind speed, gusts, air stability, visibility, and landing conditions.

    Even in good weather, strong winds, excessive heat, or unstable atmospheric conditions may make flying impossible for safety reasons. The final decision rests with the professional pilot in charge of the flight, under the responsibility of the certified air operator.

  • We focus on smaller, more intimate flights, giving you the chance to fully enjoy the experience with your loved ones. Our different baskets can accommodate from 2 to 19 passengers, depending on the type of ticket you purchased.

    Plus, you can book a private hot air balloon just for you and your group, guaranteeing an even more exclusive experience.

  • Whether you feel cold during the hot air balloon flight generally depends on the ground temperature. As a general rule, the temperature at altitude can be up to 2°C cooler than on the ground.

  • The meeting point will be provided in your experience confirmation, along with the exact time and GPS coordinates.

    The usual meeting place is:

    Les Pierrettes Winery
    9 Le Meunet, 41150 Rilly-sur-Loire

    After checking in and taking attendance, the operational teams escort participants to the takeoff site selected that day by the professional pilot, based on weather conditions, wind direction, and safety requirements.

  • After landing, the ground crew assists passengers in returning to the meeting point. The logistics of the return trip depend on the landing site chosen by the pilot and the operational conditions on the day.

  • The total duration of the experience is generally between 3 and 4 hours, including check-in, any transfer to the takeoff site, preparation, the flight, landing, and the return trip.

    The actual flight time is usually about 1 hour, but it may vary depending on weather conditions, wind direction, landing options, and safety requirements.

    The professional pilot in charge of the flight may decide to adjust the duration of the flight, under the responsibility of the certified air operator, in order to ensure the highest level of safety.

  • The “Hot Air Balloonists’ Toast” is a friendly tradition that marks the end of the hot air balloon ride. Depending on the weather conditions and the planned itinerary, this moment may take the form of a friendly get-together after landing.

    When tastings or beverages are offered on site, they are provided by the estate or the hosting partner, subject to their own applicable terms and conditions, permits, and licenses.

  • Clothing suitable for a walk in the forest is recommended for your comfort during the hot air balloon flight, such as walking or sports shoes, clothing made of cotton or natural fibers, a hat or cap to protect you from the burner's radiation, and a sweater to keep you warm after the flight. It is not recommended to wear dresses and heels.

    Please note that all types of bags are prohibited during the flight. If you wish to bring a camera or mobile phone, make sure they are securely attached to avoid dropping them from the basket.

  • Of course, we only remind you that your personal belongings remain your responsibility for the duration of the flight.

    If you wish to bring a camera or mobile phone, make sure they are securely attached to avoid dropping them from the basket.

Your Safety
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  • For safety reasons, pregnant women are not permitted to participate in a hot-air balloon ride. This restriction also applies to individuals under the influence of alcohol or substances that may impair their behavior, as well as to children who do not meet the specified age or height requirements.

  • You must be in good overall physical condition, particularly to board and disembark the basket to remain standing throughout the flight.

    Guests with health issues, severe pain, mobility challenges, or specific medical conditions should contact us before making a reservation so that we can determine whether the experience is suitable for them.

  • For safety and comfort reasons, children under 6 years of age or shorter than 1.10 m are not permitted to participate. They may not be able to see properly over the edge of the basket may not be able to assume a proper position during the flight.

  • There's no upper age limit, just the ability to get in and out of the basket on your own.
    Flights are open to all, with no age limit, from 6 years old or 1m10 - provided you're in good physical shape and can get in and out of the basket on your own, and stay upright for an hour.

  • There's no sensation of vertigo during a hot air balloon flight because you're not physically connected to the ground. Vertigo usually happens when you're in contact with the ground, which isn't the case when you're in a hot air balloon.

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At Loire Montgolfières, we are committed to providing you with the most experienced pilots and team, ensuring that your hot air balloon experience is truly unforgettable.

~ Fly With us ~