A hot-air balloon flight with Air Touraine

The magic of a flight in Touraine

The first rays pierce the morning mist as the gondola gently rises into the air. Your pilot masters the directions with precision to give you unforgettable memories above Touraine.

The trip lasts about an hour, but the full experience spans three magical hours: preparation of the balloon, contemplative flight and a final toast to celebrate your status as a “prince of the air”.

A great pleasure to be experienced at sunrise or dusk, when the light sublimates the landscapes.

Air Touraine, Compagnie aérienne d'hélicoptère, montgolfière et dirigeable

When to book your flight?

Plan your flying adventure from April to October, the ideal period when weather conditions are at their best in Touraine. Morning flights, scheduled from dawn, benefit from the most stable winds and exceptional light. Evening departures, around 2? hours before sunset, offer incomparable golden hues.

Think about booking your ticket at least three months in advance for the high summer season. The July-August slots are particularly popular, especially at weekends.

For more flexibility, opt for a weekday flight during May, June or September, when the mild climate combines with greater availability of gondolas.

The must-haves

Fly over the châteaux of the Loire

The most beautiful jewels of the Renaissance are revealed before your very eyes. In your gondola, the Château de Chenonceau appears as if by magic, its graceful architecture reflected in the waters of the Cher.

The formal gardens of Amboise draw their perfect geometric patterns, while the royal residence proudly dominates the valley.

The wind gently carries you towards Chaumont-sur-Loire, its massive silhouette emerging from its green setting. The vineyards below form a shimmering mosaic, their perfectly aligned rows bearing witness to Touraine’s winemaking expertise.

A grandiose spectacle that transforms every passenger into a privileged witness to the splendour of the Loire Valley.

Tours departing from Amboise

Starting from Amboise, the tours take you to exceptional panoramas.

The morning begins with a rendezvous opposite the royal chateau, for a three-hour adventure. The morning winds carry you towards the forest of Amboise, the Clos Lucé or the Pagode de Chanteloup, depending on their whims. The 4 to 8-seater gondolas guarantee a personalised experience. The flight runs from April to October, with scheduled departures at sunrise or dusk.

A team of passionate drivers

At the controls of our hot-air balloons, Olivier and Philippe, seasoned pilots with over 2,700 hours’ flying experience, pass on their passion for the skies. Trained to the highest safety standards, our balloonists are masters of the delicate art of ballooning.

Unique know-how acquired over the years enables them to read the winds with precision, transforming each ascent into a controlled adventure. Their in-depth knowledge of the Touraine area guarantees you the most beautiful viewpoints of our heritage gems.

Passionate about their profession, the pilots willingly share their anecdotes about the history of ballooning and the secrets of the Loire Valley. Expertise that makes all the difference to your trip in the air.

In a nutshell Air Touraine

Fly over the treasures of the Loire Valley

Admire châteaux, vineyards and breathtaking scenery from the air, in complete peace of mind.

Magical moments at dawn

Admire the morning light over the Touraine countryside from your gondola.

An experiment supervised by experts

Experienced pilots ensure your safety and share fascinating anecdotes.

The best aerial photo spots

Capture the magic of dawn from your gondola above Candes-Saint-Martin, where the Loire and Vienne intertwine. Further on, the forest of Chinon reveals its golden-brown forest while the medieval castle stands proudly on its promontory.

For photo enthusiasts, the overflight of the Vouvray vineyards offers a mosaic of changing colours as the seasons change. Our secret? Position yourself on the east side of the gondola to immortalise the reflection of the rising sun on the slate roofs of the city of Tours.

The pilots know the updrafts that will take you to the best heights for photographing the valley. A word of advice: opt for a wide-angle lens to capture the immensity of the Tours landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see.

Prepare your balloon flight

Adopt appropriate clothing for your adventure: long trousers, long-sleeved cotton jacket or T-shirt, flat, closed-toe shoes. Mornings can be chilly, so remember to bundle up. A compact camera or your smartphone will suffice to immortalise these moments suspended above the castles.

Get to the site half an hour before take-off, long enough to watch the spectacle of inflation. The morning winds, which are more stable, statistically offer fewer flight postponements.

Gift an unforgettable flight

Do you dream of surprising your loved ones with a gift that’s out of the ordinary? For a milestone birthday, a marriage proposal or simply the joy of sharing, personalised gift vouchers hold their magic for two years.

Duo packages create memories for two, while private flights bring family and friends together in the same gondola.

A flight like this deserves to be celebrated. On arrival, once the envelope of the balloon has been folded and the basket stowed away, the toast of the balloonists (the hot-air balloon is an “aerostat”) provides an opportunity for friendly exchanges between the pilot and the passengers. Everyone shares their impressions of the flight, and gives their views on the journey and the scenery. It’s a great experience!