Noyers

Noyers is a small south-facing soaring and thermal site in Burgundy, France, with a launch at roughly 220 meters. It works best with wind from south to south-southwest — southwest or southeast wind gives poor performance here, so pilots often head to nearby Beauvais or Saint-Martin instead when the direction is off. On its day, thermals can be good enough to launch straight into a cross-country flight. It's a small takeoff that gets busy, so right-of-way discipline matters more here than at a bigger site, especially in light conditions when everyone is jockeying for the same lift. If strong wind pushes you backward on launch, the advice from local pilots is to land as far back and to the right of the takeoff as you can — the rotor is gentler on that side. The landing zone sits at the top, about 170 meters, reached by descending to the Noyers–Tonnerre road, turning left, then right after a kilometer, with parking just past the bridge; avoid the field behind the trees, especially on the left, and land in the right-hand part of the field if you want to skip the walk back.

Launch & conditions

Launch faces south at about 220 m and works best with wind from S to SSW — SW or SE wind gives poor performance; pilots often head to nearby Beauvais or Saint-Martin instead on those days.

Getting there & local rules

The landing zone sits at about 170 m: from launch, descend to the Noyers–Tonnerre road, turn left, then right after 1 km, and park just past the bridge.

Local rules & hazards

It's a small site that gets busy, so watch your right-of-way, especially in light conditions. If strong wind pushes you backward on launch, land as far back and to the right of the takeoff as you can — the rotor is gentler there. Avoid the field behind the trees, especially on the left; land in the right-hand part of the field if you want to skip the walk back.

Check conditions before you fly

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