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Lake Annecy from the Col de la ForclazHans Hagenaars · CC BY 3.0

What to do · Annecy

Tandem Paragliding over Lake Annecy

A flight with a pilot from the lake's slopes with Espace 3D, of Doussard · 10 to 45 min of flight · from €105.

InformationFrom €105 per person
From
€105 per person
Duration
2 h
Season
April to October
Who it's for
No experience needed; children with their own flight

What it is

Lake Annecy is one of the best-known free-flight sites in Europe. A tandem flight takes you up to the take-off point with a qualified pilot and you glide down to the south shore, above Doussard. No experience is needed: you run a few steps and the pilot does the rest.

Flights and prices

Espace 3D, a Doussard school with the FFVL label, publishes the Zen flight of 10 to 15 minutes at €105 and the Panoramique of 20 to 25 minutes at €120. It also has flights for children and families, a thrill-seeking one and the Prestige, of 40 to 50 minutes using the thermals, which leaves from the Col de la Forclaz, above Talloires. Allow half a day between the meeting, the ride up and the flight.

When

The season for the longer flights runs from April to October. Everything depends on the wind: the pilot may change the time or the day.

Tips

  • Book with some margin Leave a free day in the trip in case the weather forces a change of flight.
  • Wear closed shoes and a layer It is cooler at the top than at the shore.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a paragliding flight in Annecy cost?

From €105 for Espace 3D's short flight; €120 for the 20 to 25 minute one.

Can children fly?

Yes, the school has a flight for children. Ask about the minimum age and weight when booking.

With teenagers

Who runs it

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

Cheap eats

Old Town Market

Market · Annecy · €€€€

What to order: Savoy cheese, bread and fruit for a picnic at the Pâquier.

A fondue served on bread with potatoes, cold meats and salad© Le FrétiFondue and raclette

Le Fréti

Restaurant · Annecy · €€€€

What to order: a fondue or the wheel raclette; at lunchtime, the dish of the day.

The restaurant's dining room© Le Clos des SensSpecial meal

Le Clos des Sens

Restaurant · Annecy-le-Vieux · €€€€

What to order: the tasting menu; in summer, dinner on the terrace under the chestnut trees.

To stay nearby

The hotel facade among gardens, with the lake and mountains behind© Les TrésomsSpa hotel

Les Trésoms

Lake view · Spa with indoor and outdoor pool · La Rotonde restaurant, starred · Clef verte label

Dogs welcome

Why we like it: A hotel with a spa and a starred restaurant on the slope of the Semnoz, above the lake and a few minutes from the centre of Annecy, with pools and a garden.

The hostel's wooden buildings among trees, with tables outside© HI FranceHostel

HI Annecy Youth Hostel

117 beds · Rooms of 1 to 5 · Open all year · Bus 15 at the door

Why we like it: A youth hostel open all year at the foot of the Semnoz, with 117 beds in rooms of one to five beds, meals and a bike garage.

Campsite

Le Belvédère Municipal Campsite

3 wooded hectares · 90 pitches with electricity, water and drain · Chalets · Open March to October

Dogs welcome

Why we like it: A municipal campsite at the foot of the Semnoz, among trees and above the lake, 15 minutes' walk from the old town; pitches with electricity, chalets and a motorhome area.

From €18 / pitch View details