A hot air balloon flight over Annecy will allow you to discover the magnificent panorama of Annecy, its lake, and the mountains that frame it. It is a unique experience between silence and the magic of the natural setting. How is this balloon flight organized and how to choose your aeronaut?
Different hot air balloon flights over Annecy
Different types of hot air balloon flights are offered around Annecy, ranging from the classic one-hour flight to more comprehensive experiences, sometimes including a hotel night:
One-hour hot air balloon flight in Annecy
This one-hour flight allows you to discover Lake Annecy and its surroundings from the sky. After a safety briefing, you will have the opportunity to participate in the flight preparations, such as positioning the basket and filling the balloon with hot air. Once ready, you will board the basket and begin to gently ascend. The wind will then guide you according to its currents for a peaceful tour before returning to solid ground an hour later.
Weekend hot air balloon flight and hotel night in Annecy
This unique experience combines a hot air balloon flight and an overnight stay in a hotel, with breakfast included. After a safety briefing and the preparation of the hot air balloon, you will take a one-hour flight to admire the landscapes, followed by a gentle landing. Then, you will head to the hotel, located just a 10-minute walk from your landing point, on the shores of the lake. To top it all off, the hotel offers a spa with a hammam, sauna, and jacuzzi (for an additional fee).
Hot air balloon companies in Annecy
We offer a selection of hot air balloon companies that know the Annecy region very well to provide you with a magical flight.
- Takamaka : This company organizes outdoor activities in Annecy. The red balloon of Bubu is well known among the locals. Takeoffs are from Doussard, Talloires, or Annecy-le-Vieux depending on the weather. You will be involved in preparing and packing the balloon. This hot air balloon accommodates up to four people. Several options are offered: the baptism, the romantic flight, the sunset flight.
- La Compagnie des Ballons : For one hour, you participate in the preparation for takeoff, the flight lasts from 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the landing is followed by a toast with the pilot, with the return made in a 4×4. This last step also takes an hour. Offers include: Discovery flight around Lake Annecy, Discovery flight in a basket of 3, 5, or more departing from Annecy or La Clusaz, Ready-to-go flight for one person at a reduced rate.
- Delta Évasion Annecy : For flights departing from Talloires-Montmin with different options: Eyes full and Prestige.
- Activ Annecy : This company offers discovery flights and VIP flights for 3 to 8 passengers. Children can board from 1.20 meters tall.
- Ballon des Cimes : This company offers a more intimate experience than its competitors, with flights for a maximum of four passengers. Their “Privilege Flight,” starting at €890, allows you to book the entire balloon, while the “Discovery Flight,” at €290/person, lets you share this experience with other enthusiasts if you are not a group of 4. The flight duration is about one hour.
These companies offer takeoffs from a meadow near Talloires, providing a breathtaking view of Lake Annecy. The flight ends with a gentle landing, followed by an aperitif to conclude the adventure. During the flight, an experienced pilot guides you, while at takeoff and landing, crew members are present with a 4×4 to ensure logistics.
How does a hot air balloon work?
On June 4, 1783, brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne de Montgolfier made a historic first with the flight of a hot air balloon. This flight, without passengers, reached an altitude of 1,000 meters in the sky of Annonay, in Ardèche, marking the beginning of the era of hot air balloons.
The principle of the hot air balloon
The principle of the hot air balloon is based on a simple mechanism: a burner heats the air, which is blown into the balloon. This allows the balloon to rise. The hotter the air, the higher it goes; if the air cools, the balloon descends. The pilot chooses the trajectory based on the direction and strength of the wind, as the hot air balloon cannot be directed directly.
When to go hot air ballooning?
Flights mainly take place early in the morning (5 AM to 9 AM) or late in the day (6 PM to 7 PM), when the winds are calmer. Each flight lasts about an hour, and the balloon travels between 10 and 20 kilometers.
Preparation and landing
Takeoff occurs in an open area, often a large field without obstacles. Preparation takes about five minutes: fans blow in cold air, then the burners heat the air to lift the balloon. The landing must also be done in an open area, close to a road to facilitate the recovery of the balloon and the basket. When the winds are strong, the landing can be more challenging, and the ground team must intervene to ensure a quick and safe recovery.
