Saint-Emilion’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, the must-do event of the autumn
Jump into the basket for a hot air balloon trip near Bordeaux every year in October. What could be more wonderful than seeing Saint-Emilion and its vineyards from the sky, just before grape harvesting. Pure magic! You’ll be over the moon when you discover this incredible sensation of flying, pushed by the wind. An unforgettable moment.
Discover the Dordogne Valley from the sky
A flight of around an hour on-board a blue balloon decorated with painted birds. The aerostat floats along through Dordogne. Far below you, the valley of castles of Black Périgord. The peacefulness of the skies and the beauty of the scenescapes make for a timeless experience. As the river weaves its way, as the winds blow, you’ll explore the region’s cultural heritage from an extraordinary angle.
Tandem skydive over Arcachon Bay
An indescribable experience between Bordeaux and the Atlantic Coast. After a few minutes coaching, you’ll climb on-board the plane with your instructor for a 15-minute flight. High in the sky between 3,000 and 4,000 metres, take off for a 50-second free-fall and some 7 minutes of a parachute ride.
Paragliding initiation near Pau in the Pyrénées
A great way to admire the Pyrénées from another perspective. Be bold and go for the paragliding initiation in Accous, in Béarn, south of Pau. Here, the delightful Aspe Valley unfurls below you. Come and discover the thrills of a first flight in tandem with a professional instructor. You’ll see, take-off is ever-so gentle and easy.
Fancy a getaway… head to the Plateau de Millevaches
Here, the Massif des Monédières, southern part of the Plateau de Millevaches, begins, along the foothills of the Massif Central, between the Valleys of Vézère Valley to the north and Corrèze to the south. A breathtaking panorama awaits you. Here, sky and land are but one. Fancy making a dream come true or doing something out-of-the-ordinary… well why not have a go at paragliding with Libre comme l’air in Corrèze.
Unfurl your great wings to discover the Atlantic Coast
What if you headed off to discover the Atlantic Coast by flying over the Gironde Estuary, Île de Ré and Île d’Oléron with a first flight on-board a large, silent bird with long wings: a glider… Small non-motorized, two-seater plane piloted by a professional instructor. The glider is simply carried along by the air and invites to delight in gentle sensations, a blend of wonder and zenitude. From Saintes, you can glide for a long trip with: Les Planeurs de Saintonge, for a discovery ride.
Surfing, rugby, Basque pelota, marathon-running, sailing… Nouvelle-Aquitaine is heaven for sports lovers as Melissa has found out! There's literally something for everyone... For the least adventurous, follow her to the stadium to watch a Néo-Aquitaine Derby football competition. For the others, hold on tight! Parachute jumping, kayaking, on a surfboard or simply in your running shoes, get ready for strong sensations!