The 15 France Hot Air Balloon Rides Tours That Earn Their Seat Price

1.Hot-Air Balloon Ride over the Loire Valley, from Amboise or Chenonceau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 260 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $308Our pick

Fly for about an hour over the Loire, Indre, or Cher valleys with Balloon Revolution. Kevin, Tom, or another pilot guides the flight, while you watch the balloon inflate, spot châteaux, toast your landing with champagne, and return by 4x4.

“The flight over the forest was the best bit and that surprised me as I expected that the chateaux would be unbeatable. Seeing deer and rabbits running was memorable too. We are all still recovering from the bumpy landing with bruises, cuts and twisted knees. All minor and nearly recovered and we understand that the wind came up for the last 10mins and we were headed towards houses so the landing has to be sudden. Thanks Nicolas for you help with our friend John as without that he could never have had this experience that he so enjoyed.”

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2.Hot Air Balloon Flight over the castle of Chenonceau / France

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $277Top rated

Rise above Château de Chenonceau in a quiet, one-hour balloon flight with an English-speaking crew. Flights run morning and evening from March to October, weather permitting. After landing, enjoy local wine, cheese, and sweets, take part in the balloon tradition, and receive a commemorative certificate.

“extraordinay, espectacular! the best way to enjoy the loire valley. money well spent. personell well prepared”

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3.Provence Hot-Air Balloon Ride from Forcalquier

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $313

Meet before dawn in Forcalquier for a small-group balloon flight over Provence. Watch the crew prepare the balloon, rise above hilltop villages and lavender fields, then finish with the traditional toast des Aéronautes. The flight lasts about an hour, while the full experience takes roughly three hours.

“Extraordinaire.... l'équipe est formidable. Ce fut un moment merveilleux. Ne n'oublierons jamais ce moment.”

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4.Fontainebleau Forest Half Day Hot-Air Balloon Ride with Chateau de Fontainebleau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $313

Join an English-language hot-air balloon outing near Fontainebleau, with a one-hour flight over the forest and countryside, a toast after landing, and a planned château visit. Pilots such as Jean, René, Adrian, and Jean-Philippe have earned praise for calm handling and friendly commentary, though wind may change the route.

“Felt like a bird soaring. The most awesome experience, felt safe, and would definately do it again. We were celebrating our 32 wedding anniversary with this trip, and it was without the icing on the cake. The French countryside was so beautiful. Go ahead and do this trip, you won't regret it!”

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5.Amboise Hot-Air Balloon Sunset Ride over the Loire Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 47 reviews · 3 hours · from $300

Join pilot Kevin and the Amboise Montgolfière team for a one-hour sunrise or sunset flight above the Loire Valley. You will watch the balloon inflate, drift over vineyards and rivers, toast the landing with Champagne or grape juice, and visit Caves Plou & Fils.

“We had an amazing flight. Kevin, our balloon pilot, was very competent. We felt safe in his abilities. The views were spectacular and serene; the whole experience was unforgettable. Kevin drove each participant home afterwards. Put this on your list, you won't regret it.”

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6.Burgundy Hot-Air Balloon Ride from Beaune

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $315

Meet at Château de Pommard for a 3 to 4-hour balloon outing over Burgundy’s vineyards and landmarks. Your pilot explains the flight in English, and the crew handles pickup and return to the château. Choose a sunrise or sunset departure, then toast the flight with Champagne.

“Absolutely amazing well worth the money. Do this tour for sure. Team super nice, loved champagne at sunset- nice finish!”

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7.Loire Valley Hot-Air Balloon Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $315

Meet at La Gourmandière near Chenonceaux for a roughly three-hour experience that includes balloon preparation, a one-hour flight, and pack-up. See Chenonceau, Amboise, vineyards, and the Loire Valley from above, then toast the landing with Champagne. Flights run morning or afternoon for groups of up to 12.

“The balloon ride over the Loire Valley was amazing. It was great to get involved with the set-up and pack up of the ballooon.”

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8.Hot air ballooning: Chambord, Blois, Chenonceau, Cheverny or Chaumont

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $275

Meet Au Gré des Vents in Contres for a briefing, then follow the crew to a nearby launch site or castle grounds. Your one-hour flight may pass over Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny, Blois, or Chaumont, followed by a celebratory drink or breakfast and a flight certificate.

“This was a perfect experience. Good communication with Kevin ahead of time. Punctual and off we flew in the balloon catching sunrise floating over the misty green fields. Highly recommended!”

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9.Hot Air Balloon Flight above the Castle of Chenonceau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 3h 30m · from $281

Meet near Saint-Georges-sur-Cher, help prepare the balloon, and fly for 60 to 75 minutes above Chenonceau and the Loire Valley. A certified pilot leads the flight in English, French, or Lithuanian. Finish with local wine, cheese, snacks, a traditional first-flight ceremony, and free transport back.

“The balloon trip was fantastic! Our pilot and the crew were professional, courteous, and very charming! We loved the entire experience!!!”

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10.Amboise Hot-Air Balloon Sunrise Ride over the Loire Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 3 hours · from $300

Meet near Île d’Or in Amboise for a 3-hour hot-air balloon outing with Amboise Montgolfière Balloon Revolution. After a 4x4 transfer and inflation briefing, you’ll fly for about an hour over Loire, Indre, or Cher Valley scenery, then enjoy a Caves Plou & Fils tasting, certificate, and Champagne or grape juice.

“A really professional and courteous team. Kevin our pilot was incredibly skilled and toured us all over the local area of Amboise. Everything on time. A wonderful morning spent gently suspended above the glorious Loire Valley”

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11.Hot air balloon flight: Flight over Sologne and castles

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · 3 hours · from $288

Join Les Ballons de Loire for a sunrise or sunset flight over the Loire Valley and Sologne. A seasoned pilot, a new balloon, about one hour in the air, return transfers, photos, and breakfast or an aperitif are included. Meet in Jouy-le-Potier or arrange pickup at Orléans TGV station.

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12.Burgundy Hot-Air Balloon Ride from Vezelay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $309

You meet at Parking du Clos in Vézelay for a roughly three-hour flight with France Montgolfières. Expect balloon setup, about an hour in the air, views of the basilica, forests, farms, and medieval towns, then champagne and light refreshments. Pilots speak French and English.

“We had a great time during this balloon flight. Upstream, the pilot, Doriann, called the old lady twice because the weather was uncertain, to discuss with us the flight conditions and the possible cancellation at the last moment. In the end, the theft happened, and it was really magical. The sunrise over the hill of Vézelay with a slight mist, the overflight of the forest at different altitudes to experience the graze of the peaks, the silence. No dizziness and very professional driving in strict compliance with safety conditions. Breakfast was served to us on arrival, after we helped fold the ball. Do it again!Auto-translated”

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13.Hot air balloon flight:Chambord, Chenonceau,Cheverny,Blois

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · 730 days · from $337

Join Au gré des vents near Contres for a sunrise or sunset balloon flight over the Loire Valley. The wind chooses your castle, from Chambord to Chenonceau. Expect a 30-minute transfer, one hour in the air, a landing toast, and a flight certificate.

“Première fois en montgolfière, c'était génial. l'équipe au top, que ce soit le pilote ou les équipiers au sol. En plus, un temps magnifique.”

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14.South of Paris: hot air balloon flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5 reviews · 365 days

Meet near Buno Gironville for a private hot air balloon flight with pilot Christelle. Help prepare the balloon, fly for about an hour over the countryside, then toast the experience with French wine. Flights run from April through October and depend closely on weather.

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15.Hot Air Balloon Flight in Loire Valley

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $270Best value

Fly over the Loire Valley for about an hour, with possible views of Chenonceau, Amboise, Chinon, or Chaumont-sur-Loire. Pilot Aurimas explains the flight and safety clearly, while the ground team returns you to the meeting point for wine, cheese, sweets, and your first-flight certificate.

“Fabulous moment for this balloon baptism over the Vienna Valley.”

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