Pech de Fusil

Pech de Fusil is an unofficial thermal and soaring takeoff in France's Lot region, with enough room to lay out a wing but ground that isn't level — it's inclined toward the south, which pilots should be ready for when inflating. The site works with wind from east through south, and it suits hike-in approaches as much as a drive-up session. Getting there means following a forest track from the crossroads on the way to Touzac, where parking is tight enough that you'll need to leave room for other vehicles to pass; an alternative route comes in from Cavagnac toward Duravel through the forest, passing a traditional hunting hide called a 'palombière' and a small clearing ringed by grapevines before reaching the site near an old barn. South wind is the real hazard here: nearby trees make it turbulent and genuinely risky, and combined with the site's own south-facing incline, it can cause a wing to inflate unevenly — something worth rehearsing in your head before you commit on a day when the wind has any southerly component.

Launch & conditions

Unofficial takeoff with enough room to lay out a wing, but the ground is inclined toward the south rather than level.

Getting there & local rules

Follow the forest track from the crossroads toward Touzac (limited parking — leave room for other vehicles), or come in from Cavagnac toward Duravel through the forest, passing a 'palombière' hunting hide and a vineyard clearing.

Local rules & hazards

This is an unofficial takeoff with inclined, not level, ground — inflating your wing evenly can be tricky in some conditions. South wind is the one to watch here: nearby trees make it genuinely hazardous, on top of the terrain's own incline working against a clean inflation.

Check conditions before you fly

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