Vallon Pont d\'Arc

Vallon Pont d'Arc sits in France's Ardèche region, better known to most travelers as the gateway to kayaking on the Ardèche gorges — but the ridge above town also holds two paragliding takeoffs at different heights. The lower launch, around 75 m, works best when it's windy and favours soaring flight along the ridge; the higher one, close to 150 m, suits thermic days better and is the launch to use once the day has warmed up. Both takeoffs are reached on foot with your gear, along a small road behind a cooperative winery just outside town — there's no way to drive straight to the top, so budget time for the walk in. Southeast, south and southwest winds work the site, and its compact scale — a lowland launch rather than a high mountain — makes it approachable for pilots looking for soaring or short thermal flights rather than serious cross-country distance. The landing is a plain, uncultivated field at the bottom of the site. One hazard worth knowing: when the wind picks up, the lee side of the ridge can produce rotor, so stay aware of which side the terrain is loading before flying close to it.

Launch & conditions

Two takeoffs at different heights: the lower one, around 75 m, favours soaring in windier conditions; the higher one, near 150 m, suits thermic days better.

Getting there & local rules

Both launches are reached on foot with your gear via a small road behind a cooperative winery just outside town — no vehicle access to the top, so plan for the walk in.

Local rules & hazards

When it's windy, be alert for rotor on the lee side of the ridge — check which side the wind is loading before flying close to the terrain.

Check conditions before you fly

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