Blog Visits, Paragliding & Canyoning - Guides and Advice
Are you looking for a reliable paragliding guide to help you get started, progress or simply understand this discipline? With over 20 years' experience and over 10,000 flights in the Alpes-Maritimes, our team of state-certified instructors shares the essence of his knowledge here.
This blog brings together our practical guides, advice and recommendations for living the paragliding and the canyoning with complete confidence. Whether you're preparing your first first paragliding experience, Whether you want to improve your skills or are looking for the best outdoor activities in the region, you'll find practical answers here, taken from the field and not from a manual.
Learn to paraglide: the complete beginner's guide
Introducing yourself to paragliding starts with a simple choice: experience a first tandem flight or take a full course at a paragliding school. The two approaches are complementary and accessible to beginners in no particular physical condition.
Your first flight
The tandem flight is the ideal gateway. No experience required; your instructor handles takeoff, flight, and landing. You experience the sensations of free flight in complete safety. For younger children, our children’s program is available from the age of 5. The tandem flight is also a perfect gift idea for a hen or stag party in Nice.
Training to fly solo
For those who want to go further, our Beginner courses enable you to learn the basics of flying in just 5 days. From the Discovery course to the Progression course, each stage brings you closer to the pilot certificate issued by the Fédération Française de Vol Libre. Our school near Nice trains beginner pilots at the Gréolières site.
Equipment, weather and driving techniques
Understanding your equipment and flying conditions is the basis for safe paragliding. Our technical guides give you the keys to progressing at your own pace.
Choosing the right paragliding equipment
The wing, harness, reserve parachute and helmet form the basic equipment of a paraglider pilot; a variometer only comes after a few years of flying. Each item is important for safety and comfort in flight. Read our detailed tests of the Ozone Alta, the Ozone Delta 5 and the Ozone Delta 4.’Ozone Ultralite 5, written after hundreds of hours in the air. And for maintenance, our paragliding overhaul workshop in Gréolières checks and repairs all wings.
Reading the weather and progressing in flight
The weather conditions determine every flight. Learning to read the forecasts with Météoblue is an essential skill for any pilot. Understanding thermals, anticipating breezes and choosing the right flight window: that's what makes the difference between a flight you've had to endure and one you've mastered.
Where to fly and what to do in the Alpes-Maritimes
Paragliding is also about discovering a region. Our local guides will take you beyond the flight to explore the most beautiful corners of the PACA region.
Our paragliding sites
The Gréolières, on the crests of the Cheiron at an altitude of 1800 m, offers panoramic views from Monaco to Cannes, with the Mediterranean and the Mercantour in the background. This is our main playground. Depending on the weather, we also fly from Gourdon and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, where you fly over the sea, as well as from the Col de Bleyne and Kennedy.
Outdoor activities and local guides
In between flights, the region has plenty to offer. Our «What to do» guides show you the best things to do in the region. Nice, in the Gorges du Loup or to Gréolières-les-Neiges. And to combine all these sensations, our paragliding + canyoning combo brings both together in a single day.
Ready for adventure?
This blog is your on-the-ground resource for paragliding and canyoning in the Alpes-Maritimes. Each article is written by instructors who practise daily, not by writers behind a screen. Explore our guides, prepare for your next adventure, and don't hesitate to call us with any questions.
Want to take action? Book your first paragliding experience, offer a gift voucher or consult our rates.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
Real experiences, real memories, real adventures
EXCELLENT
Based on 1291 reviews
Alessandra Bugini
Vol en parapente en cadeau d'anniversaire de mon fils de 9ans. Super expérience, super accueil, vraiment adapté aux enfants!
Une très belle expérience a renouveler !
Une très belle expérience a renouveler !
hannah khel yasa
It was a great experience for us especially for our first time in paragliding. Very friendly and accomodating staff. Would definitely go there again next time
Christel VINCENT
Accueil top, super vol en parapente avec une vue magique sur les montagnes à couper le souffle. Merci Pierrot pour cette expérience et à toute l'équipe pour l'encadrement ! Toujours trop court, on aimerait que ça dure encore un peu.
Anne Marie Bottoni
Cadeau très apprécié par mon petit fils
Pierrot l’a accompagné en toute confiance, un vrai professionnel et de plus très sympathique
Pierrot l’a accompagné en toute confiance, un vrai professionnel et de plus très sympathique
Remy Salmieri
Magnifique super équipe vraiment rien à redire
Pascale Pflieger
Très pro!!!
Vanessa Leskinen
Un superbe baptême de parapente en tandem avec ma sœur, chacune accompagnée d’un pilote. Sympas et détendus, Pierrot et Pierre-Yves nous ont tout de suite mises en confiance : aucune appréhension. Nous avons été agréablement surprises par la douceur du décollage et de l’atterrissage. Et entre les deux, des paysages magnifiques ! J’ai même pu prendre les commandes et diriger le parapente pendant quelques minutes… un vrai régal. Deux pilotes très professionnels, que nous recommandons sans hésiter pour un premier vol.
Jack White
Best day out, we did paragliding and then the canyoning. Great value for money and our instruction was excellent we always felt very safe.
I have done canyoning in a few countries and this was the best I have done by far. It was a beautiful gorge and had the clearest water.
We would book again if we ever came back to the area for sure!
Katell Briand
L'activité était vraiment incroyable, merci aux pilotes de nous avoir mis à l'aise et fait vivre ce moment !!
Warda Tahir
Peirrot and his team were amazing! I had a lot of fun. The experience was far more comfortable than I had expected
1,291+ 5-star reviews
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about paragliding and canyoning
What's the best book for learning to paraglide?
The Manuel du Vol Libre (2025 edition) is the FFVL's official reference book. Parapente: s'initier et progresser« (Paragliding: getting started and progressing) is an excellent complement. But there's no substitute for in-school training with a qualified instructor.
How much does a first paragliding flight cost?
A tandem flight starts at €140 for an adult (€100 for the Child flight), all inclusive (equipment, instructor, 4×4 transport). See our detailed rates for each option.
Do I need a licence to fly a paraglider?
You don't need any qualifications for a first tandem flight. If you want to fly solo, you train at a school up to the initial pilot certificate issued by the FFVL.
What are the most beautiful paragliding sites in France?
Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet (Isère), Annecy, the Puy-de-Dôme and of course Gréolières in the Alpes-Maritimes are among the most famous sites. Gréolières combines sea views with Alpine peaks.
How do you prepare for a paragliding flight?
Closed shoes, a windbreaker and sunglasses are all you need. We provide all the technical equipment. A weather report is drawn up the day before and confirmed by text message. Consult our Météoblue guide to understand the forecasts.
Can you paraglide and canyoneer on the same day?
Yes, that's our speciality. The paragliding + canyoning combo allows you to fly in the morning and descend a canyon in the afternoon, all within 50 minutes of Nice.
What to do around Grasse
Between paragliding and canyoning, the region of Grasse is bursting with outdoor activities. The Gorges du Loup and the Pont du Loup are just a few minutes away, and Gréolières is 35 minutes away.
What to do around Fréjus and Le Lavandou?
From Fréjus or Le Lavandou, A first paragliding flight at Gréolières is the perfect way to combine a day at the beach or a visit to the Var hinterland.
Can paragliding be combined with a visit to the Monts d'Azur Reserve?
Yes, the Monts d'Azur Reserve is just a few kilometres from Gréolières. 4×4 safari in the morning, paragliding in the afternoon: a complete day out in nature.
Is paragliding available for a hen or stag party?
Absolutely, in fact it's one of our most popular packages. See our hen and stag parties page for group rates and video options.
BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE
Ready to fly over the French Riviera?
Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience between sky and sea. Our qualified instructors are waiting for you in Gréolières.
Call us - We prefer direct contact to personalise your experience.