Clamontard – Luc – en – Diois

Clamontard launches at 1,055 m near Luc-en-Diois in France's Drôme, and it has a reputation for one particular window: summer evenings after about 5pm, when soaring turns genuinely excellent over a large stretch of terrain, often lasting until dark. The takeoff faces north, with northwest and northeast also working, but a west wind component shows up often enough that launch can sit in the lee — watch the windsocks closely before committing, and turn immediately left after launching to get clear. A west wind specifically makes takeoff hazardous, so it's worth checking conditions carefully rather than assuming the forecast direction holds at the hill. Reaching launch means a short unpaved track off a signed turn south of Luc-en-Diois, about 7 km in total. The landing is easy to find, just north of town off the road toward Valence/Die, marked with a 'vol libre' sign. The one local rule that matters: respect the harvest and the trees on the way in and out.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff faces north, with northwest and northeast also flyable. A west wind component shows up often enough to put launch in the lee, so check the windsocks carefully and turn immediately left after launching.

Getting there & local rules

From Luc-en-Diois, head south toward Gap; after the big rocks and the Drôme river bridge, turn right at the 'site d'envol' sign, then follow the unpaved track on your left about 2 km further to its end. The landing sits north of town toward Valence/Die, marked with a 'vol libre' sign — park and walk about 50 m in.

Local rules & hazards

A west wind makes this launch hazardous, so treat that direction with real caution. Respect the harvest and the trees around the site — it's the one rule locals ask visiting pilots to keep.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Clamontard – Luc – en – Diois, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Clamontard – Luc – en – Diois with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.