There’s nothing quite like a hot air balloon flight to get a whole new perspective on a region. Travel southwest of Paris to the charming region of Dourdan and enjoy a magical hot air balloon flight at sunset.
Enjoy some hands-on involvement if you wish and participate in preparing your balloon. Be gently carried by the wind, discover the wonderful landscape in the south west of Paris - Dourdan. Enjoy the sensation of freedom and excitement as you soar high over forests, castles, and beautiful French villages in a hot air balloon at sunset.
This is one of the ultimate romantic experiences; perfect for anniversaries and proposals!
- Tour information
- Activity schedule
- Itinerary
When does it run?
01 Apr - 31 Oct: Daily
Duration
Approx. 8 hours
Start time
01 Apr – 30 Apr: 5:30pm
01 May – 31 May: 6:30pm
01 Jun – 31 Aug: 7:00pm
01 Sep – 30 Sep: 6:00pm
01 Oct – 31 Oct: 5:00pm
Meeting point
Your guide will meet you at the train station at Dourdon. There are several train routes from central Paris with trains leaving every 30 minutes from Invalides, Musee'd'Orsay, St Michel Notre Dame and Paris Austerlitz for Dourdon.
Please report at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start time. This is mandatory to allow time for pre-departure briefing.
See on map
Ending point
Train Station at Dourdon
- Tour information
- Activity schedule
- Itinerary
You must make your way to Dourdon train station for your hot air balloon flight.
On arriving at Dourdon you will be picked up by your pilot at the station and taken to the take-off site. Feel free to assist and participate (only if you wish) in the preparation of the balloon: installation, inflation and weighing. From the pick-up at the station till completion of the installation takes about 1 hour.
Once the envelope is filled with hot air, the balloon is ready to take off. You will get up on board while the pilot completes his last checklist. When ready, the pilot will free the rope that maintains the balloon to the ground for a soft climb.
Led by this huge bubble of hot air you will float with the wind and discover some of the many architectural treasures and beautiful landscapes of Dourdon. Soar over forests, castles, and beautiful French villages in your hot air balloon at sunset. See abbey de l'Ouye, castle du Marais, Rambouillet forest and the city of Dourdan.
After about one hour of flying, the pilot will search for an appropriate landing site. The exact location of landing is difficult to predict because the balloon is carried by the air mass and flies with the wind. However, the direction and strength of the wind give valuable information on possible landing areas.
In addition, the direction of the wind may vary with the altitude, which is interesting when you want to go in a specific direction. The art of piloting lies in using these air masses and also in the choice of a breeding ground, preferably grass and close to a path or a road.
Once back on ground, you may again assist with the folding and packing of the balloon.
After landing and packing the balloon, enjoy a Champagne toast and then be taken to the train station for the ride back to Paris where your tour ends.