La Seranne – Déco France

La Séranne is one of the best flying sites in Languedoc — a magnificent limestone escarpment north of Montpellier with excellent cross-country potential. There are two takeoffs (one for paragliders, one for hang gliders), both suited to S and SE/SW winds. Access is by shuttle from the landing at Coupiac (usually running once a day on flyable days, operated by the local club), or on foot from the road or one of several footpaths — count 1–1.5 hours depending on your condition. Locals broadcast the wind update every 10 minutes on the FFVL radio.

Launch & conditions

Two takeoffs — one for paragliders, one for hang gliders. Wind S and SE/SW. Do not throw yourself into the harness — think 'run, run, and keep running'. Expect a thermal at the top of takeoff — apply a brief tempo/brake input and hold your wing.

Getting there & local rules

From Montpellier, head towards Ganges. Turn in Cazilhac-le-Haut, then follow a dirt road for 40 minutes. A shuttle usually runs once per day on most flyable days, leaving Coupiac (the landing) around 13:00 — operated by the local club. Otherwise, hike from below via the road or footpaths (1–1.5 hours). Landings: main LZ 6 km NE following the mountain at Coupiac (preferred, also the shuttle pickup). Backup LZ at 'Les Prats' just below the takeoff (NE).

Local rules & hazards

Max altitude 3,500 m QNH at weekends. Keep and maintain your fuel margin; do not go below the Virgin statue — from there it's very hard to make the official landing. Towards Pic Baudile, near Saint-Jean-de-Buèges, stay on the relief — do NOT descend into the valley, and note there is a raptor protection zone around Saint-Jean-de-Buèges. N and NW winds are flyable but can pick up suddenly — be careful. Tune your radio to 143.9875 for the wind update every 10 minutes.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to La Seranne – Déco France, 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 La Seranne – Déco France with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.