When do we fly?

Upon your arrival, you will receive a full briefing given by the pilot (the correct term is aeronaut) before takeoff. This briefing will cover the area being flown over, safety instructions, weather conditions, etc. You will have the opportunity to ask your pilot any questions you may have before the flight.

During this briefing, you will be asked to put your phone in airplane mode in order to ensure the exceptional nature of this undisturbed adventure. Of course, you are welcome to take souvenir photos.

You will be invited to participate (if you wish, of course) in inflating the balloon before takeoff.

Inflation is done using powerful fans that fill the envelope of the hot air balloon with cold air, which is then heated using burners. To create hot air, propane gas is burned using specific burners. Since hot air is lighter than cold air, it rises, like smoke—simple, right?

Hot air balloons fly thanks to Archimedes’ principle: a fundamental law of hydrostatics which states that “any body immersed in a fluid (not a liquid but a fluid in the case of hot air balloons) experiences an upward vertical force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces, applied at the center of gravity of the displaced fluid, also called the center of buoyancy.

Another law of physics explains hot air balloon flight: Boyle and Mariotte’s law, which describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas. It states that, at constant temperature, the volume occupied by a given amount of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure; when you ascend, pressure decreases and therefore volume increases, but since the balloon’s volume is constant, the total weight decreases—logical, right?

Once the balloon is upright, the pilot will heat the air inside the envelope using the propane burner. The temperature at the top of the balloon reaches around 100°C. The balloon and its crew are then ready for takeoff.

About twenty minutes are needed to prepare the balloon. It is important that passengers arrive on time at the meeting point sent by SMS; there is no waiting time planned for late arrivals. In case of poor weather conditions (strong wind, rain, thunderstorm), the flight is simply postponed and you are free to choose another appointment; nothing is imposed on you.

The flight lasts about one hour. All you need to do is gently enjoy the landscapes while listening to the comments and explanations of your experienced pilot.

Do not hesitate to ask the pilot questions if you have any—we are here above all to help and inform you.

Before landing, you will be asked to remain attentive and to follow the instructions given and explained by your pilot before the flight.

After landing (whose location will depend on wind direction and will not be the same as the takeoff site), you will have the opportunity to get involved and help fold the balloon in a friendly atmosphere with our team. It is part of the experience and is quite enjoyable.

The adventure will be crowned by the aeronauts’ toast with champagne (yes, real :-) fresh champagne in glass glasses!) along with the presentation of a flight certificate, a souvenir gift (a nice high-quality keychain in the shape of a hot air balloon), and the well-deserved flight certificate to immortalize the experience.

A whole adventure!