Our take
See the Velay from the air, as the wind takes you: Le Puy and its Saint-Michel rock, the fortress of Polignac or the castles of the Loire gorges, depending on the morning.
A hot-air balloon flight at daybreak over the Velay, around Le Puy: an hour in the air, three and a half to four hours from meeting point to return.
Hot-air balloon flight over the Velay with François Villesèche, a pilot born in Le Puy-en-Velay, licensed in 2011, who has been taking passengers up since 2015. The flight lasts about an hour, for a morning of three and a half to four hours from meeting point to return: welcome, transfer, inflation, flight, landing, glass of champagne and return.
The wind decides the route. Depending on the morning, you fly over Le Puy (the cathedral, the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe rock, the Notre-Dame-de-France statue), Polignac, Saint-Vidal or the Loire gorges. In 2026, allow €245 per adult and €195 for under-12s. Take-off at daybreak, only if the weather allows.
Why we love it
- Le Puy, Polignac or Saint-Vidal seen from above, depending on the wind
- Take-off at daybreak, when the basin lights up
- An hour in the air, carried by the wind of the Velay
Top tip
Book early: the date is then set by phone, according to the waiting list. Take-off at dawn: the time follows the season, about thirty minutes before sunrise, around 05:15 in June, more like 07:30 in November. The flight depends strictly on the weather (wind under 20 km/h and no rain): ask about the conditions for rescheduling when you book. Ideal as a birthday or wedding present.
Before you go
- At daybreak, the only take-off slot: around 05:15 in June, 07:30 in November.
- Book early: the date is then fixed by phone. If the weather cancels the flight, it is rescheduled, and the ticket stays valid for 24 months.
- The flight can be cancelled up to the last minute depending on the weather, so have a fallback date
- Be on time at the meeting point: if you are late, the team takes off without you and the ticket is treated as used
- No minimum age, but only children taller than 1.30 m can see over the basket
Practical info
- Address
- SUR RENDEZ-VOUS, 13 Rue Chaussade, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay, France
43000 Le Puy-en-Velay - Monday9h–19h
- Tuesday9h–19h
- Wednesday9h–19h
- Thursday9h–19h
- Friday9h–19h
- Saturday9h–19h
- Today9h–19h
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 370 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You want a gift that makes an impression, for a birthday or a wedding
- You want to see the Velay and its volcanoes from above
- You love photos at daybreak
Give it a miss if
- You hate getting up early: take-off at dawn, around 05:15 in June
- Your budget is tight: allow €245 per adult in 2026
- You want a guaranteed date: everything depends on the weather
Your logbook
Around Montgolfière & Découvertes
25 spots in and around Le Puy-en-Velay, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€Merry & Pippin
4.6Le Puy-en-Velay · a 5-minute walk away
Caulet Flori
4.8Le Puy-en-Velay · a 5-minute walk away
€L'Embellie
4.5Le Puy-en-Velay · a 5-minute walk away
Where to stay nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Other activity
CyclingWorth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Hikes around Montgolfière & Découvertes
Other activityCycling
CyclingYou might also like
More unusual experiences in Haute-Loire and nearby.
Le Puy Cathedral
4.7Le Puy-en-Velay · Haute-Loire
4550 reviews
Auvergne Montgolfière
4.9Chambon-sur-Lac · Puy-de-Dôme
728 reviews
Puy de la Tache
4.7Le Mont-Dore · Puy-de-Dôme
46 reviews
Puy de Montchal
4.6Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise · Puy-de-Dôme
53 reviews
Hôtel Le Régina
4.4Le Puy-en-Velay · Haute-Loire
829 reviews
Hôtel-Dieu du Puy-en-Velay
4.4Le Puy-en-Velay · Haute-Loire
297 reviews
Continue
Do you run Montgolfière & Découvertes?
Claim your page to update the details, add your photos and access our editorial feature offers.
- Free for info & photos
- Editorial feature (quote on request)
- Social media sponsorship (40 000+ Instagram and Facebook followers)