Discover paragliding in Puy de Dôme

L’Auvergne is a nature destination par excellence. This region combines fabulous mid-mountain landscapes with a gourmet gastronomy and a wide range of sports activities. And if we had to name an essential tourist site, it would obviously be the Puy de Dôme, a volcano culminating at 1465 meters belonging to the Chaîne des Puys, now classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Imagine more than 80 volcanoes sleeping for only 8000 years aligned on a north-south axis.

Going up to the top of the Puy de Dôme you can have a beautiful vision of the whole but to really realize the incredible extent of these volcanoes of Auvergne the most sensational is undoubtedly to make a flight in paragliding in the Puy de Dôme.

The landscape of the Chaîne des Puys seen by paraglider

By taking off from the top of the Puy de Dôme you will be able to take off at an even higher altitude. If the weather conditions are favorable, you will be able to go beyond the antenna of the Puy de Dôme and overlook the whole region. It is not uncommon to reach altitudes of over 2000 meters ! Once suspended at such a height you will enjoy a breathtaking panorama on the entire volcanoes but also on other mountain ranges like the Sancy massif which culminates at 1886 m and the Cantal massif which culminates at 1855 m.

Is paragliding scary? ?

In paragliding there is no feeling of vertigo. We rise in the sky and the reference to the ground disappears at the same time as the possible feeling of vertigo. You will find yourself gliding through the air with a light wind on your face. Depending on the time of day, the weather conditions can be different. In the morning and evening the air is much calmer.

The sensations in flight are therefore softer but in return you generally reach a more limited altitude. In the middle of spring and summer, the sun heats the walls and creates hot air currents that allow you to gain a maximum of altitude. These conditions are more sportive. Each time the paraglider enters a thermal bubble you feel a more or less marked phenomenon of elevator and when you come out this phenomenon disappears.

You will find yourself with sensations close to a big swing. Nothing frightening that would prevent you to go on a triptry paragliding in Puy de Dôme.

How to do a paragliding flight in Puy de Dôme ?

During the busy periods, June, July, August, September, it is preferable to book your first flight in advance with one of the following paragliding schools in Puy de Dôme. You can then reserve a slot subject to favorable weather and especially according to the type of flight you want. And yes, in addition to making you fly like a bird, paragliding professionals offer you different types of paragliding flying wing baptism.

From the calmest, the discovery flight, to the most acrobatic, the adrenaline flight, you will have the choice between many formulas proposed at different prices. For the price, you will have to count between 100€ and 240€ according to the chosen formula and the duration of the flight. If you have a strong apprehension it is perhaps better to leave on a formula discovery. On the contrary, if you like sensational sports, don’t hesitate to go for the acrobatic or long flight formula, you won’t be disappointed !

How to make the most of your paragliding flight ?

The conditions of access to the paragliding flight are very easy. All you need is to be able to run down the slope at take-off time and to want to fly. The instructor will provide you with a helmet but you can bring a goretex jacket, sunglasses and walking shoes.

And even if we are in Auvergne and that the gastronomy always gives envy, avoid perhaps to taste a good truffade or an aligot just before and privilege a little lighter snack. You’ll have plenty of time to make up for it in the evening once you’re back on the ground and telling your friends about your adventure !