Annecy paragliding site

Cradle of the birth of paragliding, Annecy is today one of the biggest paragliding sites in France like the Dune du Pilat, the Puy de Dôme site, Millau, ... but also famous in the world. History, frequentation, sites, baptisms and training courses, find all the information on the site of paragliding of Annecy in this article.

Birth of paragliding near Annecy

Paragliding was created a few kilometres from Annecy. Indeed, it was in Annemasse in Haute-Savoie, about forty kilometres from the famous lake, that a parachutist, André Bohn, had the idea of using his parachute canopy to take off from a mountain and land further down the valley in 1978. His colleagues later tried and adopted the practice. The first paragliding club in the world was founded some time later in the same town.

Beautiful surroundings and good conditions

But it is not only the history of paragliding that makes this place famous, but also its magnificent setting and its incredible aerological conditions.

Above the magnificent lake with its turquoise water and in a magnificent natural setting, surrounded by the Aravis and Bornes massifs, by the plains of the Albanais and Genevois and dominated by the Alps, this paragliding spot is also a paragliding Mecca in France and in the world.

It is this relief that offers incredible aerological conditions in Annecy. Above the lake the horizontal winds are often weak, unlike the thermal winds which are abundant and allow for beautiful flights.

Visits to the Annecy paragliding site

It is a site appreciated by all: practice of paragliding, hang-gliding, mini gliding, acrobatics, hike-flying, SIV training courses, cross-country, initiation and improvement as well as tandem but which means very high frequentation...

With nearly 130,000 take-offs per year, the Annecy paragliding site is surely the most frequented in France. In the summer period, between June and August, you will have to wait and make your way to the take-off to fly. So prefer the slower periods of the year to be a little quieter for flying.

Two main take-off sites in Annecy

Above the lake, there are two main paragliding spots:

Planfait: the lower of the two sites, at an altitude of 950 metres, to the east of the lake which offers a nice western take-off for paragliders. It is an easy launch except in the event of a crosswind. Access to the launch is easy and there is a landing area below the site in Talloires.
Col de la Forclaz / Montmin: the best known and most frequented of the two. It is normal, it is the highest in altitude (1250 meters) and surely that which offers the most beautiful flight (difference in height of 800 meters). It offers a beautiful synthetic take-off, with a nice slope and a beautiful view of the lake to the south for paragliders and hang gliders. The road access is regulated and paying (except for people with reduced mobility) but you will be able to reach it for free by walking a little. Landing is at Doussard where you will find a large field specially designed for landing and inflating.

As both sites are very busy, it is important to respect the flight rules and to be careful during take-off and landing where the risk of collisions is greater.

Other less frequented take-offs around Annecy

Around Annecy, you can also find other less frequented sites with equally beautiful landscapes.

Semnoz: Semnoz is a popular site for paragliders in Annecy as its summit is located 15 kilometres from the town, offers a launch at an altitude of 1,700 metres and is an ideal place to take off in paragliding with often favourable conditions and is much less frequented than those around the lake.
Grand Bornand Lachat: in the heights of Annecy, at an altitude of 2050 meters, this site offers many possibilities of flight with the overflight of the Aravis chain for example or even the flight until the Annecy lake if the conditions are favorable.
Col des Frêtes: the most beautiful site of flight-rando not to be missed in Annecy. It is located south of the Dents de Lanfon above Talloires and Planfait. To get there, you will have to make a lot of effort, with a fairly steep path in the forest at the start of the Planfait take-off but where you will arrive on a much less frequented site (as it is not accessible by car), with a beautiful grassy slope facing south-west at an altitude of 1645 metres. A great site for paragliders and hikers!
Aiguebelette Lake: A little further away from Annecy, to the west of Chambéry, Lake Aiguebelette offers a variety of paragliding launches similar to Lake Annecy. Whether just for flying or combined with hiking, this is a fantastic site and less crowded than Annecy.
La Clusaz: Famous in winter, the resort of La Clusaz and its traditional village, located 25 kilometres from Annecy, offers a great place to combine skiing and paragliding. At an altitude of 1900 metres, you can enjoy the architecture of the village and the splendid Aravis massif. You can fly solo or enjoy a tandem flight with local pilots.

Different practices in Annecy:

All paragliders, but also hang glider pilots, can come and fly in Annecy, whatever their practice, as this environment offers favourable conditions to all. Whether it is, as we have seen, for classic site flying, rando flying, cross country or even acro flying (above a lake it is a little safer anyway), this paragliding spot is perfect! You can also, for those who do not practice paragliding, discover the discipline and the site through paragliding baptisms. Several professionals offer this type of activity in Annecy, above the lake for a 10 to 30 minute discovery of this incredible panorama seen from above!

And for paragliders who are progressing or already autonomous, many schools offer different paragliding courses in Annecy: from beginners' courses to learn and make their first solo flights, to advanced courses for autonomous pilots looking to go on longer flights.

SIV-piloting courses in Annecy:

But the most famous courses in Annecy are the SIV-piloting courses. These courses aim to work on the piloting technique of the trainees through personalized exercises. At first, with basic exercises (pitching, bank, roll control, ...) then move on to more advanced exercises or even acrobatics. This course also aims to teach paragliders how to react in case of a flight incident. Each flight is prepared, filmed and will be analysed during a video debriefing. The exercises take place over Lake Annecy where a boat and its pilot ensure safety. At Freedom, even if we are very close to our Auvergne volcanoes, we offer a few sessions of SIV pilot training in Annecy to help you progress and be more serene in the air. These courses take place in the shoulder season in May and September when attendance is lower but the aerological conditions are very good for paragliding. If you are interested in this type of course, do not hesitate to check the courses calendar to see what is available.