Annecy, a beautiful town in France, is a top place for paragliding! You’ll take off from Col de la Forclaz or Planfait, flying high above the sparkling Lake Annecy, surrounded by snowy Alps and green hills. With cool companies like Air Annecy and Les Passagers du Vent, you glide with super skilled pilots for a fun, safe ride. For OutdoorKeeda, this is a sky-high thrill you’ll love
Why Paraglide in Annecy?
Annecy is called the “Venice of the Alps,” and paragliding here is amazing! It’s one of Europe’s best spots because of its pretty views and perfect winds. Here’s why it’s so cool:
- Super Views: See Lake Annecy’s turquoise water, big mountains like La Tournette, and Annecy’s cute old town from 1,000–1,500 meters up.
- Big Fun: Fly for 10–20 minutes, feeling like a happy bird in the sky!
- Very Safe: Expert pilots with French Free Flight Federation training use awesome gear to keep you safe.
- Great Memories: Get photos and videos (₹2000/€25) to show your friends your epic adventure!
It’s perfect for people who love excitement, but not if you’re really scared of heights or have heart troubles.
What’s Paragliding in Annecy Like?
You’ll do a tandem flight, which means you’re tied to a pilot who does all the flying. You take off from Col de la Forclaz (1,247m) or Planfait (950m) and land near Lake Annecy in Doussard or Talloires. Flights run all year, best from April to October, 9 AM–6 PM. A 10–15 minute flight costs ₹7000–₹9000 (€90–120), including transport and gear. Longer flights (20–30 min) cost ₹11000 (€150). You must be 5+, weigh 20–100 kg (44–220 lbs), and sign a paper. Kids under 18 need parents’ okay. Flights stop if it’s rainy or too windy.
Things to Bring
Pack these for a fun day:
- Clothes: Wear a t-shirt, pants, and a jacket (it’s chilly up high). Running shoes, not slippers. Sunglasses with a strap are okay.
- Health Stuff: Pilots give you a harness and helmet. Don’t fly if you’re pregnant or have heart or back problems. Tell your pilot if you feel sick.
- Extras: Bring water and sunscreen. No cameras while flying; buy a video (₹2000). Lockers at the office keep your stuff safe.
- Tickets: Pay ₹7000–₹9000. Book on air-annecy.fr or passagersduvent.com to save (₹6500 for early bookings). Call +33 6 80 27 27 27 for spots. No money back if you get scared! Friends can watch landings for free.
Check air-annecy.fr for weather, as rain or strong winds stop flights.
Fun Ways to Fly
Choose a flight that sounds awesome:
- Morning Glide (10–15 min): Fly at 9 AM for calm air and shiny lake views, ₹7000. Great for newbies.
- Tricky Flight (15–20 min): Go at 1 PM for spins and fast turns, ₹8000. Ask for cool moves!
- Sunset Fly (15–20 min): Fly at 5 PM for golden mountain views, ₹9000. Perfect for photos.
- Family Flight: Book for 4+ people, ₹7500 each. Kids as young as 5 can fly!
Book a day early, especially in July–August. Get to the office (e.g., 8 Rue des Vieux Moulins, Annecy) 15 minutes early.
How to Fly Like a Star
Here’s how to make it super fun:
- Get Set: At the office, you get a harness and helmet. A van takes you to Col de la Forclaz or Planfait (20–30 min). Hear a quick safety talk.
- Take Off: Run a few steps down a hill with your pilot. The glider lifts you up—no scary jumps!
- Fly Happy: Sit back, enjoy the lake and mountains, or ask for fun spins if you’re brave.
- Land Easy: Lift your legs to land softly on grass. Your pilot does all the hard work.
- Be Safe: Listen to your pilot, tell them if you’re not well, and don’t fly if you feel bad.
Pilots are friendly and share fun stories about Annecy!
How to Get to Annecy
Annecy is in southeast France, 40 km from Geneva:
- By Plane: Fly to Geneva Airport (45 min away, ₹9000 from Paris). Take a bus to Annecy (1 hour, ₹1000) or a taxi (₹3000).
- By Train: Trains from Paris to Annecy (4 hours, ₹4000). From Geneva, trains take 1.5 hours (₹1500).
- By Car: Drive from Geneva (45 min). Park in Annecy for ₹200/day or free at landing zones.
- Best Time: June–August for warm weather (60–80°F) and long flights. April–May or September–October for fewer people.
Where to Stay and Eat
Annecy has nice places to stay:
- Cheap: Annecy Hostel (₹1500–₹3000/night).
- Medium: Hotel du Nord (₹5000–₹8000/night).
- Fancy: Impérial Palace Annecy (₹15000–₹25000/night).
- Hostels: Auberge de Jeunesse Annecy (₹1000–₹2000).
Book early for summer. Eat at lakefront cafes (₹200–₹500) or La Ciboulette (₹500–₹1000).
More Fun in Annecy
- Bungee Jumping: Try a 40-meter jump at Monteynard (₹5000, 1 hour away).
- Lake Boating: Paddle on Lake Annecy (₹1000/hour).
- Hiking: Walk to Mont Veyrier (free, 30 min away).
- Cycling: Bike around the lake (₹1000/day).
Tips for Flying
- Be Brave: Run fast at takeoff and trust your pilot.
- Stay Healthy: Don’t fly if you’re sick; tell your pilot.
- Have Fun: Wave at other gliders for a happy vibe!
- Save Money: Book online for deals; bring snacks to save cash.
OutdoorKeeda’s Sky Story
Our Annecy paragliding was so awesome! At Col de la Forclaz, we were a little nervous, but our pilot’s jokes made us smile. Running off the hill, we flew up, seeing Lake Annecy sparkle and mountains everywhere. We tried a spin—wow, so exciting! Landing was super easy, and we hugged our pilot. Our video is the best, and we love showing it to friends. This flight made us feel like superheroes! Share your Annecy story with #OutdoorKeeda—let’s make a flying team!
Ready to Fly?
Paragliding in Annecy is a super fun adventure with amazing views of the lake and Alps. It’s safe, thrilling, and makes you feel so happy. Come to Annecy and fly like a bird!
Annecy Magic: “Soar where the lake shines!”
Paraglide in Annecy, and feel the sky’s wonder!
Join the adventure with #OutdoorKeeda!
