Montgolfière Annecy

Q: How does a balloon flight work?

Very early meet-up at the take-off site chosen by the pilot based on winds. Safety briefing, envelope inflation (45 min), about 1 h flight, landing in open country, kit packing and champagne toast with certificate. 3 h on site in total.

Q: What happens in bad weather?

The flight is rescheduled if conditions are unsafe (strong wind, rain, storms). The pilot decides the previous evening or the same morning. Flights are usually rescheduled rather than refunded.

Q: How long is the flight?

About 1 hour of actual flight, but 3 hours on site in total (briefing, inflation, flight, packing, toast).

Q: What is the price?

Prices depend on the package (shared flight, private couple, set groups). Quoted at booking. Gift vouchers valid several months are available.

Q: What's the minimum age?

Generally from age 6-8 (the child must be tall enough to see out of the basket and stand throughout the flight). Pregnant women and people with severely reduced mobility are not recommended. Confirm with the pilot.

Q: How high do you fly?

Altitude varies during the flight depending on winds and pilot choices: from a few metres above trees or water (low flight) to several hundred metres for wide views. Never above 3,000 m without oxygen.

Q: How many people in the basket?

Depends on the balloon: generally 4 to 10 passengers plus the pilot. For a private couple flight, ask for the specific (more expensive) package.

Q: What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing, closed shoes, layered garments (cool on the ground at dawn, milder aloft). Cap or hat (burner heat above the basket), sunglasses. Avoid synthetic fibres near the burner.

At a glance

Type

Ballooning (hot-air)

Access

Paid · by booking

Price

On quote — individual, couple, group

Duration

~1 h flight (3 h total)

Best season

April to October · morning (dawn)

Parking

At take-off site

Town

Annecy (take-off site variable)

Official source →

What is Montgolfière Annecy

Montgolfière Annecy is a ballooning operator based in the Annecy area, offering hot-air balloon flights over Lake Annecy, the surrounding mountains (Semnoz, Tournette, Aravis, Bornes range) and, depending on the weather, as far as La Clusaz. Flights are run by a DGAC-certified pilot (French Civil Aviation Authority) in a classic wicker basket seating typically 4 to 10 passengers depending on the balloon used.

A flight follows a set pattern: very early-morning meet-up (often 5:30-7am depending on the season), safety briefing, choice of take-off site by the pilot based on winds, inflation of the envelope (around 45 minutes, a sight in itself), flight of around 1 hour at variable altitudes (from a few metres above water and forest to several hundred metres), landing in open country where the wind takes you, kit packing by the ground crew and the traditional celebration toast (champagne) followed by the flight certificate. Plan around 3 hours on site in total.

The activity is strictly weather-dependent: light wind (ideally <15 km/h aloft), no precipitation or cumulonimbus, decent visibility. The pilot decides to fly or not the same morning, after reading the forecasts. If cancelled, the flight is rescheduled (usually not refunded — check terms when booking). Ideal as a gift, marriage proposal, birthday or simply to discover the Annecy basin from a unique, silent vantage point.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address

Annecy basin (take-off site defined the previous evening based on winds) View on map

Coordinates

Approx. 45.8992° N — 6.1294° E (central Annecy; meet-up location variable)

Altitude

Take-off typically 450-800 m; flight up to several hundred metres above the ground

Hours / Season

Season: mainly April to October. Morning flights (meet-up 5:30-7am depending on season). Some late-afternoon flights possible. By booking.

Rates

On quote depending on package (shared flight, private couple, groups). Provided at booking. Gift vouchers available.

Phone

Contact on montgolfiere-annecy.fr

Official site

https://www.montgolfiere-annecy.fr

Access / Parking

Meet-up given the previous evening. Parking at the take-off site chosen by the pilot. Car recommended (very early start).

Duration

~1 h flight, 3 h total (briefing, inflation, flight, packing, toast)

Audience / Min age

Generally from age 6-8 (the child must be tall enough to see out of the basket). Pregnant women and people with severe reduced mobility: not recommended.

Booking

Mandatory. Flight confirmed the previous evening after reading the forecast. Rescheduled if cancelled for unsuitable conditions.

Food / Services

Champagne toast at landing included (plus certificate). No meal. Restaurants in Annecy after the activity.

Access

How to get there

By car

Meet-up location given the previous evening by the pilot (varies with winds: Annecy, Doussard, Sevrier, Faverges...). Car essential given the very early start. Parking on site.

Open in Maps

Public transport

Very limited at take-off times (before 7am). The pilot can suggest an accessible meet-up point.

Open in Maps

By bike

Possible if meet-up is in the Annecy area and weather is fair, but impractical for the return often from open country after the flight.

Open in Maps

Nearest stops

Hôtel de Ville · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y51 · 115 m
HOTEL DE VILLE · SIBRA · 13, 15, 26, 27, S4 · 135 m
DEPOT BATEAUX · SIBRA · 241 m

Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
SIBRA · Fare : 1,50 € (carte) · 2 € (appli/SMS) · 2,50 € (à bord, 2026) · Official fares & timetables →

Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)

Parking

At take-off site

Parking de la Tournette · Paid · 228 m · 180 spaces · Go →
Parking de la Tournette · Paid · 242 m · 12 spaces · Go →
Parking des Trésums · Paid · 320 m · 178 spaces · Go →

Parking checked on 2026-06-15 · © les contributeurs d'OpenStreetMap sous licence ODbL

When to visit

Flight season runs mainly from April to October, the most weather-stable period. Flights almost always happen at dawn (5:30-7am depending on season), when the air is calmest and colours are best over lake and mountains. Some late-afternoon flights are offered in autumn. Summer (June-August) offers the most slots but more cancellations for storms or thermal breezes. Spring and early autumn are often best: fresh air, soft light, more stable weather. Allow several days' margin in your trip in case of postponement.

Events : Regional ballooning operators occasionally take part in balloon gatherings (Annecy Air Show, local festivals), with several balloons rising at once — a remarkable sight. Private flights for birthdays, marriage proposals, hen/stag. Gift vouchers year-round.

Nearby

Where to eat, drink, stay

Partner

Chez Nous à la Plage

Restaurant les pieds dans l'eau sur la plage de Saint-Jorioz. Carte estivale, terrasse face au lac.

AddressPlage de Saint-Jorioz, 74410 Saint-Jorioz

Phone+33 4 50 64 97 23

HoursOuvert mi-février au 1er novembre · Fermé le lundi

Voir le site →

Photos

Gallery

Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does a balloon flight work?

Very early meet-up at the take-off site chosen by the pilot based on winds. Safety briefing, envelope inflation (45 min), about 1 h flight, landing in open country, kit packing and champagne toast with certificate. 3 h on site in total.

What happens in bad weather?

The flight is rescheduled if conditions are unsafe (strong wind, rain, storms). The pilot decides the previous evening or the same morning. Flights are usually rescheduled rather than refunded.

How long is the flight?

About 1 hour of actual flight, but 3 hours on site in total (briefing, inflation, flight, packing, toast).

What is the price?

Prices depend on the package (shared flight, private couple, set groups). Quoted at booking. Gift vouchers valid several months are available.

What's the minimum age?

Generally from age 6-8 (the child must be tall enough to see out of the basket and stand throughout the flight). Pregnant women and people with severely reduced mobility are not recommended. Confirm with the pilot.

How high do you fly?

Altitude varies during the flight depending on winds and pilot choices: from a few metres above trees or water (low flight) to several hundred metres for wide views. Never above 3,000 m without oxygen.

How many people in the basket?

Depends on the balloon: generally 4 to 10 passengers plus the pilot. For a private couple flight, ask for the specific (more expensive) package.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing, closed shoes, layered garments (cool on the ground at dawn, milder aloft). Cap or hat (burner heat above the basket), sunglasses. Avoid synthetic fibres near the burner.

Sources

Sources & verification

Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.

Nearby

Other places to explore in the area and in the same category

Paid

Musée-Château d'Annecy

Annecy

Castle of the Counts of Geneva on a rocky spur: alpine art, UNESCO lake archaeology, Alpine Lakes Observatory. Adult 6.50-7 EUR.

Directions Official site

Paid

Palais de l'Île

Annecy

Medieval prison-courthouse on an islet in the Thiou, symbol of Annecy since the 12th century. CIAP, exhibitions. Adult 4-5 EUR, joint Château ticket 8-9 EUR.

Directions Official site