Ride a Hot Air Balloon Over Paris

Ride a Hot Air Balloon Over Paris

Updated by Vanessa M in June 2023.

Riding a hot air balloon over Paris is one of those ideas that comes to fruition after one too many drinks on the Pigalle bar strip. Either that, or you’ve been plotting a proposal in Pairs for quite some time and hot air ballooning seems the safest way to avoid the cliches.

Whatever your reason, this past time has grown vastly in popularity over the past few years. This has somewhat always been a significant part of Parisian culture, with both the first unmanned and manned balloon flights taking place near the city.

The first hot air balloon to carry living things was sent up in 1783 in Versailles while Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette watched. The living things comprised of a sheep, a duck and a rooster as it was not yet safe to experiment with actual humans, supposedly.

Aerfun Balloons – by Aerfun Balloons – Sourced from their website

The first human inclusive trip took place later in the year from the grounds of the Bois de Boulogne, the largest public park in Paris. After the success of this trip, hot air ballooning over the French capital became the sought after form of entertainment for the royals and upper class folk who could afford it.

Today you don’t need to be part of the rich and famous to be able to get a birds eye view over this beautiful city. There are a number of hot air ballooning companies offering the service at a range of different prices.

Whether you’re looking to pop the question from the sky, or simply see the Eiffel Tower from above for a few minutes, there is great enjoyment to be had through any of the following ballooning companies. Read on!

Ballon de Paris Generali in Paris

Parc André Citroën

The Ballon de Paris Generali is probably the most accessible, and definitely the most affordable, hot air balloon experience over the city of Paris.

On the Left Bank of the Seine in the 15th arrondissement there is a small public park that is home to the first balloon on our list. The park was actually built upon the former manufacturing site for Citroën automobiles in France, hence the name.

Ballon de Paris Generali – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

The Balloon Generali is a large, very round hot air ballon that can often be seen hovering somewhere in the Parisian skyline.

The balloon sends up riders roughly three times per hour and trips last a duration of around twenty minutes, depending on the conditions in the sky.

The Balloon Generali reaches an altitude of 150 meters, never venturing much higher than that. This gives riders a unique perspective over Paris; close enough to observe all the significant landmarks relatively up close, yet high enough to enjoy panoramic views of the rest of the city.

Ballon de Paris Generali – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

The Balloon Generali happens to be the largest manned hot air balloon in the world. It is safe and suitable for children to enjoy as well, families with toddlers can often be seen making use of the service as a form of entertainment for the kids.

The rides depend solely on the weather conditions for the day. You may want to call in advance before heading through to the 15th arrondissement to ride. The Parc André-Citroën is also a beautiful green space to enjoy regardless of if you are making use of the balloon or not.

Adults: €12

Children Under 11: €6

Children Under 3: Free

Aerfun Balloons in Paris

Moving slightly away from the city, the company known as Aerfun Balloons offers hot air balloon riders a chance to view the French countryside and green spaces from the sky instead.

The Aerfun Balloon excursions are less spontaneous than the afore mentioned ones that take place in the park. These need to be booked in advance, and getting to the actual balloon ends up being a bit of a day trip in itself.

Aerfun Balloons – by Aerfun Balloons – Sourced from their website

The balloons leave from the Maintenon station outside of Paris. To get here you’ll take the train from Montparnasse station in Paris; the journey will take roughly 50 minutes to get there. If you are able to leave from Versailles instead, the train will only take half this time.

The rides from Maintenon station go for a duration of three hours at a time. This makes the cost of the excursion slightly more justifiable. You’ll ride over the vast valleys in the French countryside and view castles and villages along the way.

Aerfun Balloons – by Aerfun Balloons – Sourced from their website

It’s a vastly different experience to the one that covers Paris. You won’t be seeing distinguished Parisian landmarks from the sky but you will see a side of France that not many ever will.

Besides, you can always take a free guided walking tour once you’re back in the city and cover all the sites you missed in the sky — it’s a win win.

Did I mention you get champagne on this ride as well?

Tickets: €220 per person

Viator Balloons in Paris

When you’re budget is highly flexible and you’re looking for the lap of luxury for your hot air balloon ride then Viator Balloons is where you need to go.

These trip take place over the beautiful Fontainebleau Forest, the nature reserve that surrounds the palace of Fontainebleau, southeast of Paris.

Again, you’ll have to take a train from the city train stations to get here. Since Fontainebleau is only sixty kilometers away the trips are quick, around thirty minutes or so.

Viator Balloons – by Viator – Sourced from their website

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When negotiating day trips, Fontainebleau and Versailles are usually put up against one another due to their many lavish similarities. Fontainebleau tends to be the less crowded of the two attractions, and for that reason I prefer it.

Taking a balloon ride over the forest in these parts is something not even the royals who once called these grounds home were able to do. The rides last a duration of three hours and depart at various times in the day.

Champagne is served on board and there are options to add a full dinner menu to your trip. Bring binoculars for opportunities to spot wildlife on the forest grounds, after all it was used as the royal hunting ground back in the day.

Tickets: Around €300 depending on the package

Air Magic

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Air Magic is at Maintenon, in the middle of the Eure Valley, 45 minutes from Paris. Jérôme HALLIER, the founder, is a professional hot-air balloon pilot who previously had a hotel restaurant on the banks of the Eure River, so he is extremely familiar with the area!

In the year 2000, he founded Air Magic, a hot-air balloon transportation firm with rides from the Eure Valley, Loire, and Cher. It was the start of a grand adventure that is still going on today.

Fly away in a hot-air balloon from Maintenon, Chenonceau, Amboise, or Chaumont sur Loire to see the magnificent Châteaux of the Loire Valley from above. A truly historical aviation tour. Don’t miss a chance to explore these breathtaking locations!

Tickets: From €271.09 per adult (price varies by group size).

Airshow Balloons

Photo by Alessandro Kelvin from Pexels

Need a sunrise flight in the morning? This is the location for you. The team is competent and well-organized, and everything is well-prepared before or on the day of the journey, which is quite encouraging.

All that is left is to enjoy the flight, a pure moment of wonder and bliss shared with your loved ones. Ride this hot air balloon over the Forez plain and get to discover the Monts du Forez and the meanders of the Loire an hour from Lyon.

Tickets: €15 per adult

Ages 5-12 is €10.00

Ballon Panoramagique

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Enter the PanoraMagique gondola in Disney Village to experience life in a lighter-than-air environment. It has been in place on the lake at Disney Village since 2005, and it has provided several hundred thousand visitors with an extraordinary and unforgettable experience.

Depending on the weather, PanoraMagique gives up to 30 visitors the chance to take a 6-minute ride that offers unparalleled 360-degree views of Disneyland Paris, sometimes from as far away as 20 kilometers away! This helium-filled sphere, which is moored on Lake Disney in Disney Village, provides a genuinely uplifting experience for everyone.

Tickets: €18 for adults (12 years and over)

€12 Children 3 to 11 years

Montgolfière Sensation

Photo by Bia Sousa from Pexels

Make your dreams come true by taking the adventure with this company! Live in the present, marveling at the beauty of Paris surroundings while time stops still. You can fly as free as the air in the Loire Valley, New Aquitaine, Auvergne Rhône Alpes, and southern Burgundy in a Sensation Montgolfière balloon.

Along with their experienced pilots, take a second to enjoy the breathtaking scenery between Bocage and Marais, including the Castles, the Loire West, the Lakes and woodlands, Manors, Abbeys, the Loire, the view of the Atlantic Ocean, and the enormous forests.

Tickets: 215 €/pers. 2 or 3 adults

210 €/pers. 1 child (up to 12y)

155 €/pers. 4 or more

195 €/pers. 8 or more

180 €/pers. 12 or more

Air Adventures Paris

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

More than just a hot air balloon ride, Air Adventures Paris offers a whole experience that includes everything that makes Paris amazing, from the sunrise to delicious food, from the beauty to magnificent Paris landmarks. Hot air balloon rides are available in and around Paris with Air Adventures Paris, giving both tourists and locals an amazing experience.

With a selection of excellent, thrilling flying packages, Air Adventures can satisfy all of your needs. Your balloon journey with them will exceed all expectations thanks to their attention to detail and commitment to providing great service.

Tickets: €150–€250 dollars per person

Quercy Montgolfière

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Take to the skies with the Quercy Montgolfière Association’s flights available to both adults and kids as young as 12! Experienced and welcoming balloonists are waiting to take you on an exciting flight as a couple or a family. All year round, depending on the weather, flights take off and land in the early morning and late afternoon.

Tickets: €300 Adults

France Mongolfières

Pmau, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Anywhere in the world, riding in a hot air balloon is a wonderfully magical experience. Nothing compares to watching the sunrise or sunset while floating through the skies on a sizable floating craft, possibly with a glass of champagne.

Today, intrepid tourists have a variety of ways to take in some of France’s most breathtaking scenery. In fact, hot air balloon rides raise the bar for sightseeing significantly! Come and experience with France Mongolfières on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, which involves flying over Fontainebleau Forest. Mongolfières offers spectacular views of the Loire Valley’s most stunning vistas. 

Tickets: from 189€  per person