Discover the French Riviera from the air and admire the Bay of Cannes like never before. Our flying sites are 50 minutes from Cannes (Gréolières) and 55 minutes (Gourdon), and the meeting is confirmed the day before. Child flight €100, tandem flight €140, state-qualified instructors, over 20 years of experience.
Cannes · 06
Cannes, the town of glamour and festivals, offers easy access to the paragliding sites of the Alpes-Maritimes. Less than an hour away by road, the main site of Gréolières awaits you for a flight above a wild mountain.
With Ailéments, a paragliding school since 2013, you fly under the supervision of state-qualified instructors. On the programme: the Mediterranean and the Croisette shimmering in the distance, the Lérins Islands on a clear day, and the peaks of the Mercantour on the mountain side.
And between flights, why not take the opportunity to explore what to do in Cannes and its surroundings — or extend the adventure with the canyoning near Cannes in the Gorges du Loup.
That is the whole charm of a tandem flight from Cannes: you leave the glamour of the Croisette behind and, some fifty minutes away, find a wild and silent mountain. Between the take-off at 1,800 m and the landing field in the valley, there is up to 1,000 m of vertical drop and flights of 10 to 60 minutes depending on the package — time enough to watch the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands take shape in the distance, resting on the Mediterranean.
This guide : the two take-off sites, the packages, what happens during a flight, the full FAQ.
Two sites depending on the air conditions, chosen the day before according to the weather and confirmed by text message. Both offer exceptional views over the coast. From another town, see the list of our flying sites.
Take-off from the Cheiron ridges, longer flights, sea and mountain views. The meeting point is at the landing field, in the village, next to our school; our 4x4 drives you up to take-off.
High mountain ambiance, wild nature and wide open spaces, 50 minutes from Cannes.
55 min from Cannes, the L'Embarnier site above Gourdon offers an alternative depending on the air conditions; the meeting point is at take-off.
Take-off from one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, direct view of the Gorges du Loup and the coast.
Why go up so high when you live by the sea? Because the aerology at Gréolières has nothing in common with that of the coast: a due-south aspect, regular breezes and more than 250 flyable days a year. This vertical drop, up to 1,000 m depending on the take-off, makes all the difference between a hop of a few minutes and a real flight over the ridges — accessible to beginners as well as to the curious who will later want to learn to fly.
The spot brings together enthusiasts from all over the bay: one goes up there from Antibes, Grasse Mandelieu as much as Cannes. And the day is easily completed on the seaside: a crossing towards the Lérins Islands (Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat), a climb into the old quarter of Stew, or a stroll along the Croisette after the flight — the perfect way to combine the thrills of flying with the Cannes way of life. A first-time flight makes for a truly memorable gift: it’s a popular choice for a birthday or a hen party, as the experience offers such a refreshing contrast to the hustle and bustle of the seaside. About fifty minutes from the town, the change of scenery is complete — the sea and the festivals on one side, the silence of the ridges and the freedom of flight on the other.
Not sure where to start from? See all the flying sites Ailéments uses in PACA, with the driving time from each town.
The site of the day is chosen the day before according to the weather: you receive the site, the time and the GPS point of the meeting by text message.
| Site | From Cannes | Meeting point | Take-off | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gréolières | 50 min | At the landing field, next to the school; drive up to take-off by 4x4 | 1,100, 1,500 or 1,800 m | Main site |
| Gourdon | 55 min | At the L'Embarnier take-off | About 1,100 m | Depending on the wind |
Without a car, you will need a ride-hailing service: we do not run a shuttle from the coast. Many of our passengers spend the whole day in the hinterland: swimming and walking in the Gorges du Loup, a visit to the hilltop village of Gourdon, walks on the Cheiron or in the Monts d'Azur reserve; ask us for a recommendation, we are happy to suggest a restaurant in Gréolières or Coursegoules.
Staying further away, on the Var coast? Our paragliding Hyères page gives the driving times from the Var.
From Cannes Bay to the ridges of the Cheiron: a glimpse of what awaits you on your first flight. Souvenir video option available (+€30), included in the Prestige and Educational flights.
From take-off, a feeling of total freedom takes over: the ground falls away, silence sets in, and the coast unfolds as far as the eye can see between sea and mountains. The onboard video, filmed by your instructor with a GoPro, captures every moment: the big leap, the turns above the ridges, the view over the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands. It lets you relive the flight, share it with your loved ones and keep, long after you are back on the ground, a record of those few timeless minutes.
From the gentle child flight to the long prestige flight, there is an option for every wish, described on our tandem paragliding flight page. All-inclusive prices: equipment, instructor, insurance.
Each package has its own personality. The Child flight, reserved for morning slots (8–10 am) when the air is at its gentlest, lets the youngest discover flying in complete peace of mind. The Ascending flight, our best-seller, seeks out the lift along the Cheiron for a true aerial outing — spirals and wingovers optional. The Educational flight (45 min to 1 h, from age 12, video included) is for those who want to understand (reading thermals, take-off technique, debriefing). When winter comes, Ski paragliding takes off with skis on from Gréolières 1400 (from age 10), while the Prestige flight extends the pleasure to up to an hour in the air, HD and 4K video included — not forgetting the paragliding + canyoning combo for a 100% thrill-packed day.
A straightforward and reassuring experience, supervised from start to finish by your state-qualified instructor. The location (Gréolières or Gourdon) will be confirmed by text message the day before, depending on the weather.
SMS with the chosen site, the GPS point of the meeting and the time according to the weather.
50 to 55 min from Cannes via Grasse and the Loup valley: the drive is part of the adventure.
Safety instructions, harness, helmet. A few running steps into the wind and you are flying.
Contemplation, thermal flights or acrobatics of your choice, followed by a gentle landing in the valley.
Once airborne, nothing is imposed: you can take control for a few turns, ask for acrobatics if you fancy, or simply let yourself be carried along. The instructor always concludes the flight with a debrief and gives you your video if you chose it. No physical preparation is necessary – a few running steps at take-off are enough – and the flight adjusts to everyone, from the most cautious to the most daring.
We fly in Gréolières all year round, except from January to mid-February. Spring and autumn bring the most regular conditions, summer is best enjoyed early in the morning (the air is cooler at altitude), and winter opens the paragliding-on-skis season. The meeting point is confirmed the day before by text message according to the weather, and postponing is free: you only pay for your tandem flight once you are back on the ground, never in advance. The weather chooses the day, and all you have to do is enjoy the moment.
Not a tourist factory: Ailéments is a family school, founded in 2013 by free-flight enthusiasts with over 20 years of experience, on the sites of the Alpes-Maritimes. Recent equipment checked every season at the workshop.
Over 10,000 flights completed without serious accident, +1291 5/5 reviews. Free weather rescheduling, payment on site after the activity, no upfront fees.
Do you have a question? Contact us or call us.
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Give a paragliding gift voucher: valid for 1 year, with no extension, the recipient chooses their date, for a Child, Ascending or Prestige flight. Ideal for a birthday, Christmas or a hen or stag do on the French Riviera.
Do you have a question? Contact us.
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Sites, drive, without a car, view of Cannes, Gréolières/Gourdon differences, prices, season, age, weight, clothing, weather, groups, training.
Gréolières: 50 min drive, take-off at 1,800 m. Gourdon: 55 min, about 1,100 m.
Drive via Grasse and the Gorges du Loup. The meeting point is at the landing field in Gréolières, and at the L'Embarnier take-off in Gourdon; the GPS point is sent to you by text message the day before.
You will need a ride-hailing service: we do not run a shuttle from the coast. At the Gréolières meeting point, our 4x4 then drives you up to take-off.
On a clear day, yes: the Bay of Cannes and the Croisette in the distance, the Lérins Islands on the sea and the Estérel massif on the horizon, with the Mercantour on the mountain side.
Gréolières: higher (1,800 m), longer flights, sea and mountain views — our main site. Gourdon: 55 min from Cannes, listed village, Gorges du Loup.
The site is chosen according to the weather; both offer exceptional panoramas of the coast.
Child flight €100 (10-15 min), Ascending flight €140 (20–30 mins, best-seller), Prestige flight €250 (45-60 mins, video included).
Paragliding + Canyoning combo €190/person. GoPro video option: +€30.
The French Riviera climate is favourable: we fly all year round except from January to mid-February. Spring: stable, fewer people. Summer: morning or late-day flights. Autumn: golden light. Winter: exceptional visibility.
Take the opportunity to explore the city: see what to do in Cannes.
From 5 years with the option Child flight, in the morning (8am-10am), reassuring approach.
Over 60, we check together by phone. Details: minimum age for paragliding.
90 kg (Tandem equipment certification). Close to the limit? Contact us to discuss it.
Closed shoes, long trousers, windbreaker and a light jumper (cooler at altitude).
We provide the approved helmet and the comfortable harness.
Free rescheduling to another date that we will offer you, no charge as long as the flight has not taken place. Confirmation or postponement by SMS the day before.
Yes: a gift card valid for 1 year, with no extension, the recipient chooses their date, for a Child, Ascending or Prestige flight.
Yes: several instructors, simultaneous or successive take-offs, group rates on request. Ideal for Stag/Hen do, Anniversaries, team building.
No: no experience required, just a few running steps On take-off (5-10m). In the air, you are sitting comfortably, the instructor flies.
Yes: discovery course, progressive piloting, training towards the licence. See our paragliding courses, with personal support; all the options are on our courses page.
4 key points for your flight over the Bay of Cannes.
Gréolières (1,800 m, main site, long flights) or Gourdon (55 min, listed village). Chosen according to the weather, confirmed by text.
Child flight 100 € (from age 5), Ascendant 140 € ★ (from age 7), Prestige 250 € (from age 12), combo 190 €/person. Max 90 kg, no experience required.
Cannes Bay and the Lérins Islands on the sea side, the Mercantour and the Gorges du Loup Mountain side. Over 250 flyable days per year.
DEJEPS and BEES instructors, +10,000 flights with no serious accidents. Simultaneous take-offs for groups, combo canyoning near Cannes during the day.
1,291+ 5-star reviews
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Book your first-time paragliding experience Gréolières : prices from €140, take-off at 1,800 metres on the Cheiron, Panoramic views of the French Riviera and Mercantour.
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