Hot-air balloon flight Sarthe - Château du Lude & Loir Valley
Treat yourself to a hot-air balloon flight in the Sarthe region, over the Château du Lude and the Loir Valley. A 3-hour adventure, including a 1-hour hot-air balloon flight, at sunrise or sunset, when the air is calmest and the light most beautiful.
From the gondola, you'll discover a region full of charm in the South Sarthe: lush green riverbanks, pretty villages, numerous castles including Le Lude, and the rolling landscapes of the Loir Valley. A hot-air balloon flight in the Sarthe is ideal as an exceptional gift, or as an unforgettable experience for couples, families or friends.
Course of your hot-air balloon flight in Sarthe
Meet at Château du Lude or Marçon leisure centre
For your hot-air balloon flight in Sarthe, two fixed meeting points are available:
- Le Château du Lude for a flight focusing on the castle and its surroundings,
- or Chahaignes for your hot-air balloon flight in the Sarthe.
The precise meeting point and time (sunrise or sunset) are confirmed on your invitation and shown on the flight schedule. On site, our team welcomes you and takes you by vehicle to the take-off site best suited to the day's wind.
Preparing and inflating the balloon
Once at the launch site, you'll witness the preparation and inflation of the hot-air balloon: the envelope unfurls on the ground, fills with air, then gradually rises until the basket is ready to welcome you.
Your pilot explains the safety instructions (landing position, gestures to avoid, attitude on board) before inviting you to board the gondola.
Take-off: 1-hour flight in the Sarthe wind
Once the balloon is in the air, you'll enjoy around 1 hour of wind-driven flight, in almost total silence, punctuated only by the breath of the burner. A hot-air balloon is not "steered" like an airplane: it' s carried along by the wind, making each flight unique.
Depending on wind direction and take-off location, you can admire :
- the Château du Lude, an architectural jewel in the Loir valley, or
- the green, meandering banks of the Loir,
- Sarthe villages, windmills and country roads,
- private châteaux and character residences,
- the hilly landscapes of South Sarthe and the Loir Valley.
Altitudes vary as you fly: sometimes very low over fields and forests to observe wildlife, sometimes higher to enjoy 360° panoramas of the region.
Landing, balloon folding and glass of local wine
After landing, the adventure continues in good spirits: you can take part in folding the envelope alongside the pilot and his crew member, a convivial moment that is often much appreciated.
To round off the experience, we offer you a glass of local wine or other refreshment to celebrate your first flight in a hot-air balloon. Finally, our vehicle takes you back to your original meeting point (Château du Lude or Chahaignes).
Approximate appointment times
Why discover the Sarthe in a hot-air balloon?
- A nature destination: the Vallée du Loir, the Bercé forest, the Sarthe villages and wooded landscapes provide the ideal backdrop for a hot-air balloon flight.
- Remarkable heritage: Château du Lude,Abbaye de l'Épau, other castles and private residences dotted around the region.
- A gentle, immersive experience: no sensation of vertigo, movement at wind speed, a feeling of gliding through the air as you fly over the countryside.
- An adventure to share: a gondola for up to 12 passengers, ideal for families, groups of friends or events.
- An exceptional gift: a ticket valid for several months, perfect for a birthday, wedding, romantic weekend or corporate gift.
Air Touraine Montgolfière: experience, safety and approvals
Air Touraine is a family-run company based in the Loire Valley for over 45 years, specializing in tourist flights by hot-air balloon, helicopter and airship. Our professional balloonists and ground crew supervise each flight in a rigorous yet friendly manner.
We hold several official aeronautical approvals, including :
- Hot-air balloon transport,
- Flight school (DTO),
- Airworthiness Manager (CAMO).
Air Touraine is also committed to a CSR approach via the Green Flag project, to reconcile the pleasure of flying with respect for the Sarthe and Loire regions over which we fly.
Practical information for your Sarthe hot-air balloon flight
- Flight time: approx. 1 hour in a hot-air balloon
- Total duration of service: approx. 3 hours (welcome, transfer, inflation, flight, packing, return)
- Meeting points: Château du Lude or Marçon leisure park (to be chosen when booking, depending on the type of flight required).
- Period: flights mainly from late March to late October (depending on weather conditions and planning).
- Number of passengers: up to 12 on board, depending on the basket
- Weather: your flight depends on the weather conditions. In the event of strong winds, rain or fog, your flight may be postponed. You will be informed by SMS and/or e-mail the day before or the same day.
- Physical conditions: good general condition required. Serious medical problems, recent surgery or pregnancy are not allowed. Passengers must be able to straddle the basket and bend their legs on landing (hold position for about 10 seconds).
- Children: 6 years and over, with a minimum height of 1.30 m, to be able to see over the edge of the gondola.
- Recommended attire: comfortable clothing, closed shoes and headgear (cap, hat) if necessary. The temperature inside the gondola can be up to 10°C higher than outside.
- Check-in: on arrival, present your boarding pass (paper or smartphone) and proof of identity to our pilot.
- After the flight: you will receive a request for feedback by e-mail, together with your flight certificate.
- Cancellation & extension options: you can take out a cancellation option and/or extend the validity of your ticket (details in the General Sales Conditions).
Privatize your hot-air balloon in Sarthe
For an even more exclusive experience, you can book a private hot-air balloon in Sarthe :
- from 2 people,
- choose your flight date according to availability,
- possibility of departure from a site of your choice (home, château, hotel, estate...) subject to technical feasibility and authorization.
To find out more, contact us directly on 02 47 24 81 44 or by e-mail at info@airtouraine.fr.
Who is this hot-air balloon flight in Sarthe for?
This hot-air balloon flight Château du Lude & Vallée du Loir is particularly suitable for :
- a romantic weekend in the Sarthe or Loir Valley,
- a birthday or Christmas gift,
- a marriage proposal or a significant life event,
- a family outing (parents, children, grandparents),
- an EVJF/EVG or an activity with friends,
- a corporate event or a top-of-the-range customer gift.
Book your hot-air balloon flight Sarthe - Château du Lude & Vallée du Loir
To book your hot-air balloon flight in Sarthe:
- Choose your formula (individual ticket, duo offer, private gondola) and your meeting place (Château du Lude or Marçon).
- Confirm your order online and receive your ticket (valid for several months, according to the conditions indicated at the time of purchase).
- Book your date via our online schedule or by contacting us by phone or e-mail.
Our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have:
- Telephone: 02 47 24 81 44
- E-mail : info@airtouraine.fr
Treat yourself to the magic of a hot-air balloon flight in the Sarthe and contemplate the Château du Lude, the Loir Valley and the Sarthe countryside as you've never seen them before: from the sky.
