Just 5 minutes from Megève, Praz-sur-Arly is a charming little resort nestled in the heart of a pretty perched valley. This family resort is renowned for its hot air balloon flights and is the major base for mountain ballooning. In Praz-sur-Arly, the discovery of the peaks can also be done from the sky, in a hot air balloon, a rare and magical activity.
Balloon flights in Praz-sur-Arly
The village of Praz-sur-Arly is known for its hot air balloon flights which are offered throughout the year, throughout the 4 seasons. During the flight, the spectacle and the view are superb. From the gondola, the view is magical, when the balloon rises above the peaks. The balloon ride is an open balcony over the entire Mont-Blanc massif, but also over the Aravis range, Beaufortin and part of the Swiss and Italian Alps. This small corner of the Alps has an exceptional aerology and it is for this reason that an airline is installed there all year round. This magnificent ascent in the land of Mont-Blanc lasts between 45 min and 1h15, and this depending on the aerology of the day and the total service lasts between 3 and 4h and takes place only in the morning, with the Alpes Montgolfière team . You take off from the take-off base on the island, but you don't know where you are going to land, a 4X4 will then pick you up to bring you back to the starting point. In addition, as a couple, with family or friends, this extraordinary experience leaves lasting memories.
How does a hot air balloon fly ?
Gliding through the air aboard a hot air balloon is an incredibly peaceful and soothing experience that requires no special skills. All you have to do is sit back, relax and take in the stunning views. But the best moment is always when your pilot gracefully brings you back to earth, with the help of one or two people on site. So why not embark on this extraordinary journey today? Your hot air balloon trip will take place in four phases: preparation, flight, landing and storage. When the balloon has been filled with hot air, it becomes lighter than its surroundings and rises. Unfortunately, this also means you can't maneuver the vehicle because you don't control the direction of the wind. To rise further, heat must be added, while to lower altitude, the gas reserves must be cooled. In one hour of flight, the hot air balloon generally travels 10 to 20 km and can reach more than 9000 meters in altitude. The pilot will however take care to stay at altitudes that are breathable for humans. In summer, hot air balloon flights take place in the morning or evening, when the upwinds, or valley winds are limited. From autumn to spring, these constraints are less and the flights can take place later.
International Montgolfiades
Every year, for a weekend, Praz-sur-Arly is the scene of a unique and spectacular event: the International Montgolfiades. It all started when, in 1990, organizers of air meetings crossed Praz-sur-Arly and discovered at the entrance to the village a huge empty piece of land which for them would be ideal for setting up a take-off site. A year later, the first air meeting was born and 12 balloons were invited to the first edition. From the following year, the Tourist Office organized the event independently. In more than 30 years, a large number of emblematic women and men, in particular flight directors, have succeeded one another, such as Guy Garcia, Daniel Dupuis, Jo Roulet or Alain Paris. In addition, several French champions came to fly during the Montgolfiades, such as Laure De Coligny in 2014. A little anecdote: in 2013, the director Claude Lellouch, for the film “Bastard, we love you” shot images during the Montgolfiades weekend!
Would you like to attend this unmissable event ? Discover now our vacation rentals in Megève, very close to Praz-sur-Arly, and do not hesitate to contact our real estate agency BARNES Megève to find out more about the organization of your stay.
