Loire Valley hot air balloon flight at sunrise or sunset

Rise above Chambord, Chenonceau and Cheverny in a hot air balloon

A hot air balloon flight over the Loire Valley at sunrise or sunset, lasting about three and a half hours total. You watch the ground crew prepare the balloon, fly for an hour with 360-degree views of the castles and river, then land for breakfast or sparkling wine and receive a flight certificate. The experience includes transfer from the office in Contres, professional pilots, and a souvenir video available for purchase on site.

The experience

The morning or evening begins at the office in Contres, where you meet the team, complete registration and get a safety briefing before heading to the launch site: either nearby or within the grounds of one of the valley's châteaux. Watching the professional crew inflate the balloon is the spectacle most people remember. It's the moment the scale of what you're about to do becomes real. Then you board and spend an hour suspended between the treetops and clouds, looking down at the Loire River, the vineyards, and the castle rooflines that make this region a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The silence of the balloon is what sets it apart from other ways to see the valley. There's no engine noise, no vibration. Just the occasional burner flame and the landscape unfolding in every direction. You'll see Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Blois and Chaumont-sur-Loire from angles that ground-level visits can't offer, and the early or late light is when the colors are strongest.

After landing, you celebrate with breakfast if you flew at sunrise or a glass of sparkling wine for an evening flight. You'll receive a flight certificate to mark the day, and the return to the office is by 4x4 or bus. A souvenir video of your flight is available to purchase, with details and pricing confirmed on site.

What’s included

• One-hour hot air balloon flight with 360-degree views of the Loire Valley castles.
• transfer by 4x4 or bus from the office in Contres.
• professional pilots and safety briefing.
• breakfast after a sunrise flight or sparkling wine after an evening flight.
• flight certificate.
• secure parking at the office.
• toilets available at the meeting location.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Mar 2027

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Youth (5 to 14 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 48h

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Au Gré des Vents

Is this one for you?Best for small groups or families with children from age five who want a shared experience. The fixed departure times at sunrise or sunset mean you'll fly when the light is strongest, and the one-hour flight fits into a morning or evening without consuming a full day.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 14 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

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 time does the hot air balloon flight depart?

Departures are at sunrise or sunset depending on which option you choose at booking. You'll need to arrive at the office in Contres by 7:30 a.m. for a sunrise flight or by 4:00 p.m. for an evening flight to allow time for registration and the safety briefing before heading to the launch site.

Where does the hot air balloon take off from?

The launch site is either nearby the office or within the grounds of one of the Loire Valley castles. You'll travel there by 4x4 or bus after your briefing at the office in Contres.

What's included in the price of the balloon flight?

The flight includes the one-hour balloon ride, transfer by 4x4 or bus, breakfast or sparkling wine after landing, a flight certificate, and access to experienced pilots and secure parking at the office. A souvenir video is available for an additional purchase on site.

How long is the entire experience from start to finish?

The full experience takes about three and a half hours, including registration and briefing at the office, transfer to the launch site, balloon preparation, the one-hour flight, landing celebration, and return to the office.