Do you offer paragliding baptism flights from Saint-Raphaël?, Pearl of the Var coast. Ailéments Paragliding School: state-qualified instructors, nearly 20 years’ experience, flights lasting 20 to 60 minutes at Gréolières. From 100 €.
Saint-Raphaël → 06Saint-Raphaël, resort, famous for its coves and the Corniche d'Or, is the ideal starting point for discovering the paragliding in the PACA region. From the town, it takes just 1 hour 20 minutes to reach the site of Gréolières in the Azur Prealps, one of the best spots in the South.
Why go all the way up there? Because no site in the Var region offers such a gradient: 20 to 60-minute flights, ideal atmospheric conditions, and a panoramic view stretching from Mercantour to the Côte d’Azur coastline — see our page paragliding in the Var for the full comparison.
The round trip is done in a day, and the excursion combines very well with the canyoning near Saint-Raphaël for a day’s 100 % thrills.
You don’t fly over the Corniche d’Or — but at 1h20, Gréolières puts on a completely different show: over 1,000m of elevation gain and flights lasting between 10 and 60 minutes over the Préalpes d’Azur. Far from the coves of Raphaël, make way for the ridges of the Cheiron, the Gorges du Loup and the peaks of the Mercantour, amidst gentle, silent mountains.
This guide : the site, what we really see, the formulas, the process and the complete FAQ.
To be perfectly honest: you can’t fly over the Estérel. But at 1h20, Gréolières offers something no other site in the Var can — real altitude gain and long flights.
One of the best spots in the South: 20 to 60-minute flights, optimal conditions, school at the foot of the landing.
Route A8 then Grasse and the Wolf's Gorges — vineyards and perched villages along the way.
Le Mount Lachens It exists, but with 200-300 m of usable runway: too short for a real introductory flight.
Gréolières remains the best quality-to-distance ratio For the people of Raphaël.
The secret of Gréolières can be summed up in one word: elevation. Whilst coastal sites are limited to a few hundred metres, the Cheiron offers over a thousand, with a south-facing aspect and over 250 flyable days per year. As a result, long flights and reliable conditions, both reassuring for a first baptism and rewarding for those wishing to progress towards piloting.
The route via Fréjus then Grasse crosses vineyards and hilltop villages, and the day is easily completed: return via the coves of the Golden Corniche, the old harbour or the fine sandy beaches. A canyoning trip in the hinterland can even extend the flying trip into a full day of thrills. The neighbouring areas are not to be outdone: people also come to fly from Fréjus.
Once in the air, the view stretches far and wide: from the snow-covered Mercantour to the Mediterranean, taking in the limestone ridges of the Cheiron and the villages clinging to the mountainside. It is one of the few places where, in a single flight, you can take in both the sea and the mountain peaks. Many people make the most of it by turning the trip into a full day out: a stop in a hilltop village, a picnic by the water’s edge, or an outdoor activity in the hinterland for those who want more.
What awaits the people of Raphaël on arrival: a preview of the Gréolières flight. Souvenir video option available (+€30), included in the Prestige flight.
From take-off, the scenery shifts: beneath your feet, the ridges of Cheiron, the Gorges du Loup, and the Mediterranean on the horizon. The onboard camera, held by your instructor, captures every moment – the ascent, the turns above the landscape, the gentle landing. The best way to relive the flight and share it once you're back in Saint-Raphaël.
From gentle child fares to long-haul premium flights, a formula for baptism For every craving. Identical prices regardless of your home county.
Each formula targets a desire: the Child flight (morning, from 4 years) gently, the Ascending flight best-seller for the ascendancies, the Educational flight and the Walk & Fly to give piloting a try, the Paragliding on skis winter since Gréolières 1400, and the Prestige flight Long-term use with 4K video. Everything is included – certified equipment, state-certified instructor, insurance – whatever your department.
A simple and reassuring course, supervised from A to Z by your state-qualified instructor. Confirmation text the day before – essential to avoid an unnecessary trip from Saint-Raphaël.
Text message with the GPS coordinates of the meeting point at Gréolières and the schedule, subject to weather conditions.
1h20 via Fréjus then Grasse and the Gorges du Loup. The excursion begins en route.
Safety instructions, harness, helmet. A few running steps into the wind and you are flying.
20 to 60 mins depending on the formula, then gently dropped off at the school gates.
In flight, nothing is mandatory: one can take control a few turns, request some stunts, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet. Upon landing, the instructor takes time for a debrief and gives you the video if you've ordered it. No physical fitness is required: a short run is all that's needed, and the flight is tailored to your mood on the day.
Gréolières offers flights almost all year round, with optimal conditions in spring and autumn, early-morning flights in summer and lovely clear days in winter. As we’re coming from Saint-Raphaël, the flight is confirmed the day before by text message depending on the weather, and rescheduling is free — you only pay for your flight once you’re back on the ground.
The baptism is truly for everyone: families with children from 4 years old, couples, groups of friends, or for a birthday or hen party, with dedicated slots. No physical preparation is necessary – the instructor pilots, you enjoy – and everyone sets their own pace, from a gentle flight to tricks for thrill-seekers. It's often a revelation: many leave wanting to do it again, and some take the plunge with a progression course towards autonomy. All with no commitment: we confirm the day before depending on the weather, and you only pay once you've landed.
All in all, paragliding from Saint-Raphaël offers the most stunning contrasts: you leave the coast in the morning to glide in the afternoon over the Préalpes d’Azur, between the Cheiron ridges and the Mediterranean. Whether it’s your first time, a gift for someone else or a family outing: all you have to do is choose your package, book your date and let yourself be carried away. The sea and the mountains combined in a single flight — that’s an experience you’ll be talking about for a long time to come, long after you’ve returned to the coast.
Not a tourist trap Family school certified by the FFVL, based at Gréolières on the edge of the landing area. State-qualified instructors; equipment inspected every season at the'workshop. The Varois trainees benefit from partner accommodation on site.
Over 6,000 volumes completed without serious accident, +1070 5/5 reviews. Free weather report, payment on-site after the activity, no upfront fees.
Do you have a question? Contact us you call the 06 87 68 71 90.
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Offer a paragliding gift voucher Valid for 12 months, the recipient chooses their date, usable with all packages. Ideal for a birthday, Christmas or a EVJF/EVG.
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Site, real panorama, season, journey, visit to Saint-Raphaël, accessibility, weight, outfit, weather, video, training.
Gréolières, in the Azurian Prealps: approximately 1 hour 20 minutes — the road to Grasse. The journey passes through magnificent Provençal landscapes with vineyards, hilltop villages and unspoiled nature.
GPS sent by SMS the day before.
The Gorges du Loup 700 metres below, the hilltop villages, the Mediterranean on the horizon — from Mercantour to the coast.
A different show from the Estérel, but some 20 to 60-minute flights in optimum conditions.
+300 days of sunshine In PACA. Spring: regular temperatures. Summer: morning flights. Autumn: ideal visibility.
Environment 1 hour 20 minutes via Fréjus next Grasse and the Gorges du Loup. Free parking at takeoff.
Yes: combo with the canyoning near Saint-Raphaël for a day’s 100 % thrills.
And on the city side: the coves of the Golden Corniche, the old port, the archaeological museum, or the fine sandy beaches.
Yes, right from 4 years formula Child flight At €100, flights are in the morning). No special physical condition required: instructors adapt their approach for young and old alike.
90 kg (Two-seater equipment certification). Close to the limit? Contact us to discuss it.
Even in summer in the Var, it's cooler at 1 800 m Closed shoes, long trousers, windbreaker jacket. Helmet and saddle provided.
Free deferral On a date of your choice, nothing to pay until the flight has taken place. SMS the day before – essential to avoid an unnecessary journey from Saint-Raphaël.
Yes gift card Valid for one year, all formulas from the Child Flight to the Prestige Flight.
Yes, option GoPro video + €30 (Included in the Prestige Flight): take-off, flight over the ridges, landing. Transferred to your phone.
Yes Discovery course (1 day, €260), Initiation (5 days, €690), Further training (5 days, €750), up to certification. See our paragliding school for residents of the Var.
4 key points for Raphaëlois who want to fly.
No Var sites offer this elevation gain: 20-60 min flights vs 15-20 elsewhere. Full comparison on the page Paragliding Var.
Child flight 100 €, Ascendant 140 € ★, Prestige 250 €. Confirmation the day before to avoid wasted journeys.
Morning flight canyoning near Saint-Raphaël, or return via the coves of the Corniche d'Or.
DEJEPS instructors, +6,000 flights without serious accident. Courses with partner accommodation at Gréolières.
Over 1000 5-star reviews
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