Hot air balloon in Auvergne: where to fly over the volcanoes
Few regions offer a playground like this for a hot air balloon: the Chaîne des Puys lined up beneath the basket, the Sancy lakes reflecting the sky, the volcanic peaks (sucs) of Haute-Loire. A flight at sunrise over the volcanoes is one of the finest ways to see Auvergne. Here is where to do it, when, and how it works.
Where to go hot air ballooning in Auvergne
Two operators stand out:
- Over the Sancy and the Chaîne des Puys: Auvergne Montgolfière, based in Chambon-sur-Lac, takes off from two bases, one in the Sancy massif, from where you can see Lac Chambon depending on the wind, the other at the foot of the Chaîne des Puys. The scenery is striking at daybreak.
- Over Le Puy-en-Velay: Montgolfière & Découvertes flies over the Le Puy basin and its volcanic pinnacles, with the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe rock and the Notre-Dame de France statue as a focal point.
How a flight works
Flights take off early in the morning, at sunrise, or at the end of the day, when the winds are calm (in Le Puy-en-Velay, always at sunrise). Allow between three and four hours for the full experience. You watch the balloon being inflated, you climb aboard for roughly an hour of silent flight at the wind's whim, then comes the landing in a field, wherever the wind has taken you. Tradition has it that it ends with a drink. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing suited to the morning weather, with an extra layer against the cold.
When to fly and book
Flights take place mainly from spring to autumn, from April to November. It all comes down to the wind: a flight can be postponed at the last moment if conditions aren't right, which is normal, safety comes first. The price varies by operator, the ticket chosen and the age of the passengers. It's better to book in advance, especially in periods of high demand, and to stay flexible on the date.
Seeing Auvergne from the sky another way
If the balloon doesn't fly, or you're after more thrills, paragliding takes over, especially from the Puy de Dôme. Several schools take off from the summit in tandem, including Action Parapente and Ekxod Parapente. The flight is shorter, more intense, and often cheaper.
To wrap up
A balloon flight is ideal to open or close a weekend. For the rest of the programme, see our guide what to do in the Puy-de-Dôme and the best activities in Le Mont-Dore. And if the flight is a gift, it slots nicely into a romantic weekend.
