Montgolfiades of Saint-Emilion

Nose in the wind, amazed by the beauty of the land and well installed in the basket, we cut through the air like the adventurers of children's stories. The Montgolfiades de Saint-Emilion offer us an extraordinary journey.

Balloon flight and baptism in Saint Emilion

"Free as air" is the unique feeling of a hot air balloon flight. Neither fuselage, nor cockpit, nor porthole, only a pretty colored balloon which floats, silent, offering its passengers a 360 ° panorama. The Montgolfiades de Saint-Emilion are remarkable for the characteristics of the landscapes they show.

The territory flown over has for several decades been classified as a Cultural Landscape by the Unesco World Heritage Convention. Celebrating "the combined work of man and nature", the Cultural Landscapes bring together natural, architectural and historical heritages. As such, Saint-Emilion and its surroundings are exemplary.

We fly over the medieval village in a balloon, its high walls, its Roy tower, its intertwined alleys. We are amazed at the brightness of the limestone of Saint-Emilion which lights up the mills, churches and dovecotes scattered throughout the territory. The gaze rocked by the curves of the Dordogne and its towpaths always present, we admire the beauty of the 5000 hectare vineyard cultivated for more than 20 centuries…

Spectators admire the ballet of these multicolored balloons whose passengers will soon join them to taste a glass of excellent wine and enjoy a sound and light show. For their 9th edition from October 18 to 20, 2019, on the ground and in the air, the Montgolfiades will transport you and may make you want to invest in real estate in Bordeaux or in Saint Emilion!

Montgolfiades of Saint-Emilion 2019 program

Over 3 days, the event brings together 17 to 18 hot air balloons, each of which takes 2 to 4 people. Five flights are scheduled from Friday October 18 afternoon to Sunday October 20.

The Montgolfiades attract a very large audience each year, including many children. It must be said that in addition to the magnificent spectacle offered by the balloons, animations and workshops around the kite are offered free of charge at Parc Guadet on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as a guided tour or a thematic conference.

Passengers are greeted, taken care of and brought back by their pilot to the meeting point in the Guadet hall in Saint-Emilion. The relatively small volume of balloons chosen for the event makes it easy to land on the edge of the vines, to facilitate in-flight exchanges with the crew, but also to involve passengers in inflating and deflating hot air balloons!

The flights take place in the early morning and late afternoon but we will not tell you where we are taking off ...

Because it is currently impossible to know.

Even the pilots cannot answer you. It's the D-day weather that guides the choice of take-off location.

If several flight fields are approved around Saint-Emilion, it is the strength and direction of the wind on the same day that will make them choose the ideal place.

Info and prices for hot air balloon flights

To board, you must have reserved your place with the association "Le Ciel est à Toi" (Montgolfiades 2019 reservation form) which manages the flights or on the Saint-Emilion Tourist Office website.

In addition to your identity, your age and your weight must be indicated for the proper constitution of the crews. Children can fly as long as they are 10 years old or measure at least 1.30m. Up to 15 years old, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult and between 15 and 18 years old, have a written authorization.

You will have the choice of the day and the desired time (morning or evening). Take-off times vary depending on sunrises and sunsets, so it is on your nominative ticket that the rally time will be specified.

Prices