Planning a Loire Valley getaway? Its majestic castles, vineyards, medieval towns and heritage dazzled us! As the icing on the cake, we chose to take to the skies to admire the Châteaux de la Loire at sunrise from a hot-air balloon. The colors of the sky sublimated the beauty of these giants of the Loire Valley. This hot-air balloon flight was the highlight of our stay!
In this article, you'll find all the options for hot-air ballooning over the Châteaux de la Loire, our advice and our experience in pictures to help you make your choice.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why take a hot-air balloon ride in the Loire Valley?
Is a hot-air balloon flight in the Loire Valley worth it?
Without a doubt, it's a big yes! We loved the feeling of floating in the air, the calm of the dawn all around us, it was truly a unique moment! We glimpsed some of the Châteaux de la Loire, skirted the river and observed the surrounding vineyards and forests several hundred meters above sea level. In fact, it's one of the best things to do in the Loire!
>> Let yourself be tempted by this magical experience in the air!
Why do this activity in the region?
In our opinion, the Loire Valley is an ideal region for hot-air ballooning, to enjoy the variety and beauty of the landscape and the rich local heritage. You'll see the sky:
- vineyards as far as the eye can see
- rediscover castles in a privileged way, including viewing some from the sky that are normally closed to the public
- exceptional landscapes (villages, medieval towns, forests, fields, rivers...)
- a ballet of hot-air balloons soaring to the heavens
Hot-air ballooning over the Châteaux de la Loire: our favorite moments
We'll describe our hot-air ballooning experience in detail later in this article, but we wanted to share our favorite moments with you:
- gentle take-off under the first light of dawn
- the castles seen from the sky, which seemed miniature as we climbed higher and higher
- fly over the Loire just a few centimetres above the water to watch nature awaken at sunrise
>> Reserve your place now for this magical experience in the air!
The history of balloons
The hot-air balloon is an 18th-century French invention. A few key dates:
- November 1782: Joseph Montgolfier discovers the upward force of hot air as he dries his shirts over a fireplace.
- April 1783: after a series of experiments, the Montgolfier brothers built the 1st 800m3 balloon in cotton canvas and paper, which rose to an altitude of 400m.
- June 1783: new trials by the Montgolfier brothers in Annonay (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) with an 11m-high balloon that soared 950m into the sky in front of the public and several elected officials. This was the birth of aerostation, the study, design and operation of aerostats (floating in the atmosphere thanks to a lighter-than-air gas).
- September 1783: 1st manned hot-air balloon flight with sheep, rooster and caged duck in front of King Louis XVI's court at Versailles. The balloon covered about 3km in less than 10min. The animals are recovered unharmed.
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Practical tips for a hot-air balloon flight
How much time to allow for the activity
This will depend on the option you choose, but you should allow around 3 to 4 hours for all the stages of the balloon flight:
- Arrival at rendezvous point and take-off site
- Pre-flight preparation of basket and balloon, followed by a safety briefing from the pilot.
- Balloon ignition, boarding and take-off
- About 1 hour in the sky
- Landing, deflating, folding and storing the balloon
- Complimentary snack at the landing site, with presentation of the ascent certificate before returning to the 1st rendezvous point
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Best time for a hot-air balloon ride in the Loire Valley
Ballooning is possible all year round, weather conditions permitting. For a successful flight, the wind speed must not exceed 20km/h and the sky must be fairly clear. In the Loire, the best time for this activity is between spring and autumn. Airlines also offer winter flights on request when the weather is mild and travelers have several slots available, but this is less frequent.
Hot-air balloon flights can be held at sunrise or sunset, when winds are more stable. In the middle of the day, thermal currents (or columns of warm air) and turbulence caused by the sun and clouds pose risks.
Choosing the right company
It's important to choose a reliable company for this activity. That's why we always opt for secure, reliable platforms. They put us in touch with local professionals who are familiar with the specific features of the area concerned and the conditions relating to the activity.
What to wear
On our hot-air balloon ride over the Châteaux de la Loire, our clothes were comfortable. Don't forget to check the weather forecast before going to the activity, and bring a jacket, because at altitude, the cold and wind can be felt even more keenly, even in summer! Closed-toe shoes are recommended for greater comfort.
How do I get to the Loire Valley for a hot-air balloon flight?
To reach the Route des Châteaux de la Loire, a number of options are available:
- By car: in our opinion, the most practical way to be free to move around and explore as many nooks and crannies as possible. If you don't have your own vehicle, you can rent a car in Tours, Angers, Nantes, Paris-Orly or Paris-CDG.
- Organized tours: to make life easier during your trip and if you don't want to drive, choose organized tours on the Loire Valley Castles Route from Paris, Tours or Amboise for example, then book the hot-air balloon according - see the 2-day tour
- By train: some towns in the region are linked by train lines. Don't forget to buy your tickets in advance, and find all the train stations in the Loire!
If you're looking for inspiration, take a look at our 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day or 1-week tours!
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Our advice specific to this activity
- This activity is in great demand, so reserve your place as early as possible before your trip to make the most of it!
- The hot-air balloon flight is maintained according to weather conditions, so plan it at the beginning of your stay if the organizer changes the time or postpones the date (our flight was scheduled at sunset and had to be postponed to sunrise the next day because of the weather).
- During the 3 to 4 hours of activity, please note that there will be no access to the toilets.
- If you're afraid of heights, you won't really feel the sensation at altitude, as the flight is fairly gentle. Bear in mind, however, that the balloon can rise to heights of several hundred meters, or even 1000m.
- Be on time at the meeting point before the activity starts, as a late take-off reduces the activity time for all participants.
- Take something to cover up, even in summer, as it's cooler at altitude (but don't load up).
- Opt for a small shoulder bag or fanny pack if you want to keep your personal belongings with you during the flight.
- Make sure you're in good shape for this hot-air balloon ride, as you'll be standing in the basket in flight for at least 1 hour, then the team will need your help to set up the balloon beforehand and pack it away at the end.
Ballooning options in the Loire Valley
Hot-air ballooning in Amboise at sunrise or sunset
Our hot-air balloon flight took place at sunrise from Amboise, but you can also enjoy this unique experience at sunset! Château Royal d'Amboise, Château du Clos Lucé and many more can be seen from the sky!
- Book from Amboise with sunrise views of the Châteaux de la Loire
- Book from Amboise with sunset views of the Loire Castles
Hot-air balloon over the Château de Chenonceau
Other majestic buildings in the region are also worth flying over to change your perspective while admiring them! French gardens, water mirror on the Cher River, Renaissance architecture... Let yourself be tempted by a hot-air balloon flight over the Château de Chenonceau, the most beautiful on the Loire in our eyes!
Hot-air ballooning in Chambord and Sologne
The Domaine de Chambord is home to a vast forest, vineyards, the Cosson river, formal gardens and, of course, the imposing Château de Chambord. A hot-air balloon flight over the wonders of the Sologne region will remain etched in your memory!
Hot-air ballooning and wine tasting
Enthusiast or simply curious? You can combine a hot-air balloon ride with a tasting of the famous Loire wines. Ready for an unforgettable experience?
- Private hot-air balloon tour - see details and book
- Hot-air balloon ride and wine tasting - see program and book
DON'T MISS THE BEST CASTLES IN the Loire Valley
- The most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley
- The most beautiful gardens
- Where to stay in the Loire castles: unforgettable hotels!
- The best Loire castles to visit with your family
- Chambord or Chenonceau: our comparison
- itineraries: weekend - 3 days - 4 days - 5 days - 1 week
- Castles around Blois, around Amboise, around Saumur, around Tours, around Angers and around Nantes.
- or our list of over 100 Loire castles
Our Amboise hot-air balloon adventure: D-Day
After meeting the team at the rendezvous point at 5:30 am, we were able to park our vehicle in the free parking lot nearby. You are then picked up and taken to the balloon launch site.
Once we arrived at the field from which we were to take off, the team briefed participants on safety conditions and inflation. Our balloon had a capacity of 8500m3 and the gondola was able to carry 12 people!
Some balloons can be up to 15,000m3 in volume - impressive, isn't it?
Before climbing into the gondola, the balloon is laid on the ground and stretched by all the participants, along with the team - we've all got our hands dirty!
Our balloonist (or balloon pilot) Kevin explained where to position ourselves for safety during the ignition. It's quite impressive, in the midst of the morning calm, to see this huge flame rise up and gradually inflate the balloon.
Once the balloon was fully inflated and the gondola upright, we climbed inside using the special spaces on the sides. Our balloonist told us on take-off that the pilot only manages altitude. The direction and speed of the balloon depend entirely on the wind. So we all set off on an adventure! Cars followed us at the same time to pick us up on landing 1 hour later. Thanks to walkie-talkies and an app with estimated balloon track and wind speed, the ground team was in constant contact with our balloonist in flight.
The Châteaux of the Loire seen from the sky: a unique moment
Ready for take-off? It was so smooth and serene that we didn't even feel the gondola touch the ground! The scenery gradually became more distant as we climbed higher into the air. Our balloon reached over 500m altitude during the flight.
We had an incredible view of the Château Royal d'Amboise for much of our flight. We observed it from every angle! Behind him, the Château du Clos Lucé could be seen in the distance.
The feeling of floating in the air above the Châteaux de la Loire made us feel privileged. Watching life slowly awaken around these marvels of French history in the early hours of the morning seemed timeless.
Moving gently through the air at wind speed (which was no more than 12km/h that day), we caught a glimpse of the Château de Pray on our right as we continued towards Amboise. It is closed to the public for visits. However, you can also stay here during your trip to experience life at a château for one or more nights - see options.
The balloon turned slowly on itself during the flight, giving us a 360° panoramic view of the sky! On our left, on the other side of the Loire, we saw the property owned by artist Mick Jagger. The Rolling Stones legend lives at Château de Fourchette in Touraine, a listed historic monument with charming gardens set in wooded grounds. Look closely, can you see it between the trees?
Other beautiful buildings stand out among vineyards, fields and forests, including Château Gaillard, Château de la Thomasserie and Château de la Barre. Our landing was just a few kilometers from the Château de Chaumont, which was a little further away on the same bank of the Loire.
Unforgettable landscapes at sunrise
During our celestial epic, we were won over by the serenity of the place as seen from the sky. In addition to the Châteaux de la Loire, the vineyards, fields, forests and riverbanks offered us a picture worthy of a work of art! All illuminated by the orange-yellow glow of the magnificent sunrise. A truly suspended moment (no pun intended)!
Our balloonist allowed us to get within a few centimetres of the water's surface to better observe the animals waking up. Coypu, swans and tits strolled by the river, while other hot-air balloons surveyed the skies above us.
We even spotted hares and deer frolicking between the vines! The contemplative silence of these moments gave us a great deal of peace of mind, and was very pleasant as well as fascinating.
To our great delight, we also flew over the hundred-hectare Domaine des Caves Plou & Fils. It was original to see this estate from the air before visiting it and tasting several of the region's wines.
Landing and celebration
As we approached the end of the flight time initially planned, the phase of finding a suitable landing zone began! Our balloonist spotted an undeveloped field ahead of us, large enough to land the balloon. It's impossible to predict the exact landing spot of a hot-air balloon.
Landing is at the speed of the balloon's flight, and therefore of the wind! A few minutes before, our balloonist warned us and began to gradually reduce altitude. Instructions will be given at the time, but remember to hold on tightly to the handles in the basket and crouch down.
When it comes into contact with the ground at wind speed, the nacelle can sometimes tip over vertically. Don't worry, if you're squatting and holding on tight, you'll only feel a few jolts. We'll be laughing and remembering this eventful landing!
Before celebrating this adventure with the whole crew, we helped deflate, fold and store the balloon. Position yourself on either side of the canvas to fold it towards the center and remove any air remaining inside. In single file, as in the picture below, we picked up the deflated balloon all together before stowing it in the trailer.
It was also a good time to watch the other hot-air balloons land one after the other in an almost coordinated choreography.
After the effort, the comfort! Our ballooning certificate was given to us individually. A wonderful experience that will remain engraved in our memories... And we'll be sure to try it again!
Before returning to the original meeting point, we were offered a glass of sparkling grape juice from Caves Plou & Fils and some tasty madeleines. A very bucolic scene amidst the vastness of farmland and the early morning sound of birdsong.
The tasting and visit to the Domaine Plou & Fils cellars was included with the hot-air ballooning activity.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
Frequently asked questions
What equipment do I need for a hot-air balloon ride?
There's not a lot of room in the pod compartments on board. If you're carrying a bag, take a small shoulder bag or a more practical fanny pack to avoid embarrassment or dropping it. Photos are permitted during the balloon flight. If you're keeping your phone, a case with a chain can be useful. You can also take along a small bottle of water or a water bottle that's not too bulky. Finally, when it comes to clothing, remember that it has to be comfortable. A hat or hood may also be welcome if the wind is blowing, as well as a jacket even in summer, as temperatures drop at altitude.
Is the activity accessible to people with reduced mobility?
It really depends on the company and the size of the basket. Contact the organizer beforehand to find out whether the tour is accessible to PRMs. Please note, however, that pregnant women cannot take part in this activity.
How old do you have to be to fly in a hot-air balloon?
To take a hot-air balloon flight, the French Civil Aviation Authority requires your child to be at least 6 years old. However, airlines generally suggest waiting until the age of 10, so that little ones can enjoy the moment in the air and remain upright throughout the flight.
What level and what physical conditions are required?
You'll need to be in good shape to stay upright during the flight and enjoy the activity to the full. If you have any questions about your health prior to a hot-air balloon flight, please consult your doctor. Pregnant women, for example, are not normally allowed on board.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
