Lalandelle

Lalandelle is a compact thermo-dynamic site about 85 km northwest of Paris, France, working a north-to-northeast wind window off a modest 50 m height difference — small by mountain standards, but enough to reward pilots who fly it well. There are two separate takeoffs, facing north and northeast, and the site is best known for how well its northeast-facing slope performs; that's the launch most pilots aim for when conditions allow. The catch is the takeoff itself: it's fairly technical, squeezed between trees, so holding your heading precisely in the first seconds after launch matters more here than at a wide-open hill. Landing is at the base of the northeast takeoff, and pilots need to stick to the official landing zone — coming down in the fields further out is not permitted. Access from Paris runs via the A15 toward Cergy-Pontoise, then a chain of secondary roads through Gisors to Lalandelle itself, finishing on a farm track through a small wood to a modest parking area. One rule worth remembering before you plan a visit: flying here is banned during the local hunting season.

Launch & conditions

Two takeoffs, facing north and northeast — the northeast-facing one is the standout performer. Both are fairly technical, squeezed between trees, so hold your heading carefully in the first seconds after launch.

Getting there & local rules

From Paris, take the A15 toward Cergy-Pontoise, then the N14, D43, D53 and D915 through Gisors, then the D22 to Lalandelle. At the edge of the village, a farm track through a small wood leads to a modest parking area.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is banned here during the local hunting season — check current dates before you go.

Check conditions before you fly

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