Hot air balloon flight over Loire castles in Touraine

Rise above the Loire Valley and watch the castles shrink below you

A hot air balloon flight over Touraine takes you 2.5 hours aloft in a classic pod, drifting with the wind over Château de Chenonceau and the Cher and Loire valleys. You choose your flight date across the entire season, and the operator guarantees a weather cancellation option. A champagne toast follows the landing. Children from age 2 are welcome, and pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon flight over Loire Valley

• Board hot air balloon pod
• Fly over Château de Chenonceau
• View Loire and Cher valleys

The experience

The flight itself lasts roughly two and a half hours from takeoff to landing, though the full experience (meeting the crew, preflight setup, the flight and the toast) runs longer. The route shifts with the wind each time. There is no fixed path. What stays constant is the view: Château de Chenonceau appears below at some point in the flight, its arches spanning the Cher, and the Val-de-Loire landscape spreads in every direction. The balloon rises slowly enough that you can watch the scale of things change, the roads narrowing, the vineyards becoming patterns.

You pick your departure date when you book, and the ticket is valid for the entire season, so you can choose a weekday, weekend or holiday depending on your schedule. Bad weather cancellations are guaranteed. If conditions ground the balloon, you can reschedule or get a refund. The champagne toast happens after landing, a tradition among balloonists. Pickup is arranged for you. Public transportation options also exist nearby if you prefer to make your own way to the launch site.

What’s included

• Hot air balloon flight in a classic pod.
• champagne toast after landing.
• pickup from your location.
• flexible booking across the entire season with weather cancellation guarantee.
• live guide in English, Spanish or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Child (2 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Art Montgolfières

Is this one for you?The 2.5-hour flight leaves the rest of your day open for exploring the Loire Valley on the ground (castles, gardens, wine tastings), or it can stand alone as your main activity. If you need a full-day commitment, this is a morning or afternoon slot, not an all-day experience.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years); Child (2 to 5 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Château de Chenonceau and why does it matter from a balloon?

Château de Chenonceau is a Renaissance castle built across the Cher River in Touraine, and from the air its distinctive arches and riverside setting become fully visible in a way ground-level visits cannot show. The balloon passes over it during the flight, giving you a perspective the castle's own grounds do not offer.

Does the balloon follow the same route every time?

No. The route depends entirely on the wind direction on the day of your flight. The balloon drifts over the Cher and Loire valleys in Touraine, but the exact path changes with weather conditions, so no two flights are identical.

Can I book a specific date, or do I have to wait for availability?

You choose your flight date when you book the ticket. The ticket is valid for the entire season, so you can pick a weekday, weekend or holiday that fits your schedule in the Loire Valley.

What happens if the weather is bad on my chosen date?

The operator guarantees a cancellation option if weather grounds the balloon. You can reschedule for another date within the season or receive a refund.

Is there a minimum age to fly?

Children are welcome from age 2 onward. Pregnant travelers are not recommended for this flight due to the physical demands of the experience.