Fly between sea and mountains with state-qualified instructors, from Gréolières and Gourdon, 50 min to 1 h from Nice. Tandem flights from €140, child flight €100. Paragliding school, more than 20 years of experience, 1,291+ 5-star reviews.
Nice · 06
Nice is ideally located for paragliding: in 50 minutes to an hour, you reach our take-off sites, with the French Riviera below your feet.
Up in the Nice hinterland, Gréolières is our main site: this is where most of our flights take place, thanks to particularly favourable aerological conditions. Landing in the Loup valley.
Between the take-off at 1,800 m on the Cheiron and the landing in the Loup valley, there is up to 1,000 metres of height difference, and flights last 10 to 60 minutes depending on the option. The drive up through the Gorges du Loup is already part of the adventure; once in the air, the whole French Riviera unfolds below your feet, from the Baie des Anges to the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour.
With Ailéments, a paragliding school since 2013, you fly under the supervision of state-qualified instructors. And between two flights, make the most of your stay to discover what to do in Nice and the surrounding area.
This guide take-off sites, options, flight procedure, our local expertise.
Two main sites, 50 min to 1 h from Nice: Gréolières and Gourdon. We choose the site the day before according to the weather and send you the meeting point and the time by text message.
Gréolières is 50 min from Nice, on the Cheiron ridges. Most of our flights: take-off at 1,800 m (up to 1,000 m of height difference), landing in the Loup valley. Views of the sea and the Mercantour peaks. Meet at the landing field, at the school, then a 4×4 drive up.
In winter, the Gréolières 1400 allows you to combine skiing and paragliding on the same day.
Take-off from L'Embarnier, above the village of Gourdon (about 1,100 m), 1 h from Nice. Meet directly at take-off. We fly there when the weather does not allow Gréolières.
Views of the Gorges du Loup, the hinterland and the sea.
More rarely, in winter, we also fly at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, above the sea, with views of the principality of Monaco, the Italian border and Menton. The meeting point is then near the station (no free parking).
If Gréolières hosts most of our flights, it is for a simple reason: a south-facing slope, regular valley breezes and more than 250 flyable days a year. Many people from Nice come up for the day, alone, as a couple or as a family, and the site suits a gentle first flight as well as learning to fly for those who want to go further. The other departure towns and our sites are presented on the paragliding Alpes-Maritimes page.
Nice is not the only town to enjoy the site: people also come from Cannes, Antibes, Grasse or Vence, all less than an hour from Gréolières. From Nice, a tandem flight goes perfectly with a stroll through Old Nice, a walk along the Promenade des Anglais or the climb up Castle Hill: enough to turn the flight into a Riviera escape. Even people from the Var make the trip: see our paragliding Sainte-Maxime page.
As for the season, we fly all year round from Nice, except from January to mid-February. Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer the most consistent conditions, with gentle thermals for a first tandem paragliding flight; in summer, we favour morning slots, which are calmer and cooler at altitude; and winter offers an experience of its own, with sea-view flights at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin from December to March, when the Golfe Bleu beach is free of swimmers. Whatever the time of year, the slot is always confirmed the day before by text message depending on the weather, and rescheduling is free if conditions are not right: you only pay for your flight once you have flown, never before. That is also what brings many of our passengers from Nice back season after season, often to move from a tandem flight to a course.
Not sure where to start from? See all the flying sites Ailéments uses in PACA, with the driving time from each town.
Driving times by the shortest route. From Nice, the road to Gréolières goes through Cagnes-sur-Mer and the Gorges du Loup.
| From | Gréolières | Gourdon |
|---|---|---|
| Nice | 50 min | 1 h |
| Antibes | 45 min | 50 min |
| Cannes | 50 min | 55 min |
| Grasse | 35 min | 35 min |
| Vence | 45 min | 45 min |
| Fréjus | 1 h 10 | – |
| Toulon | 2 h | – |
On site, allow 1 h 30 at most for a child flight or an ascending flight, and about 1 h 45 for the prestige flight, including the drive up to take-off. Without a car, you need a ride-hailing car (Uber): there is no shuttle from Nice.
Most of our passengers stay for the day. After the flight, people swim and walk in the Gorges du Loup, visit the village of Gourdon, walk on the Cheiron or discover the Monts d'Azur reserve. For lunch, ask us for our favourite places in Gréolières and Coursegoules: we are happy to recommend them.
The sea, the mountains and hilltop villages: a glimpse of what awaits you as you take off from Gréolières, less than an hour from Nice. Souvenir video option available (+€30), included in the Prestige and Educational flights.
From take-off, everything changes: the ground falls away, silence sets in, and the French Riviera unfolds below your feet, from the Baie des Anges to the Mercantour peaks. The onboard video, filmed by your instructor on a GoPro, captures every moment: the run at take-off, the turns above the ridges, the panorama over the bay. A good way to relive the flight and share it with your loved ones, long after you are back on the ground.
From gentle child fares to long-haul premium flights, an option for tandem flight For every desire. All-inclusive prices: equipment, instructor, insurance.
In detail: the Ascending flight, our best-seller from age 7, is a 20 to 30-minute ride that uses the rising air to glide along the Cheiron ridges. All our flights are tailor-made to how you feel: on each one, we offer you the controls and some sensations. The Child flight is scheduled in the morning, when the air is calm, with an instructor used to young children. The Educational flight (45 min to 1 h, from age 12, video included) goes further in theory and flight analysis: thermals, movements, conditions. In winter, Ski paragliding takes off on skis from the slopes of Gréolières 1400, and the paragliding + canyoning combo pairs a morning flight with an afternoon canyon descent for a full day of thrills. As for the Prestige flight, from age 12, it goes further and longer, up to an hour of flight, souvenir video included: the option for special occasions.
A simple and reassuring route, supervised from beginning to end by your state-certified instructor. The site is confirmed by SMS the day before, depending on the weather.
SMS with the GPS point of the appointment and the precise time according to the weather.
Meet at the landing field, at the Ailéments school, then a 4×4 ride (about 20 min) up to take-off.
Safety instructions, harness, helmet. A few running steps and you're in the air.
Contemplation or sensations, depending on how you feel, then a gentle landing in the Grand-Pré.
During the flight, you can take the controls for a few moments if you fancy it, and sensations are available on request for the more adventurous, depending on how you feel. On landing, your instructor takes the time for a debrief and gives you your video if you chose it. No prior experience or specific fitness level is needed: being able to take a few running steps at take-off is enough, and every flight is adapted to your wishes.
Not a tourist factory: Ailéments was founded by enthusiasts, with over 20 years of flying experience. Paragliding school, state-qualified instructors, 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.
Book my flight
Give a paragliding gift voucher: valid for 1 year with no extension, personalised, sent by email. For a birthday, Christmas or a hen or stag do in Nice: the video of the bride or groom to be is free (in a group, 2 free videos for 4 people, all of them from 5).
Do you have a question? Contact us.
Order a gift voucher
Take-off sites, prices, age, season, parking, procedure, courses, gift voucher, weather.
Almost all our flights take off from Gréolières (1,800 m, Cheiron ridges, 50 min from Nice) and Gourdon (1 h from Nice). More rarely, in winter, we also fly at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, facing the sea.
The site is chosen the day before according to the weather and confirmed by text message, with the meeting point and the time.
Child flight €100 (from age 5), Ascending flight €140 (best-seller, from age 7), Prestige flight €250 (video included, from age 12).
Paragliding + canyoning combo €190 per person (full day). Video option: +€30.
Tandem flight is accessible from 5 years old option Child flight, Early risers). Maximum weight: approximately 90 kg.
You just need to be able to run 3 to 5 metres on takeoff. Details: Minimum age for paragliding.
Closed shoes (trainers or hiking boots), long trousers and windbreaker It is 10 to 15 °C cooler at higher altitudes.
The helmet and harness are provided by Ailéments.
All year round except from January to mid-February, with more than 250 flyable days a year. Spring: consistent conditions. Summer: morning flights (before 11 am). Autumn: excellent conditions, fewer people. Winter: in good weather, with views of the snowy Alps.
Yes. At Gréolières, parking at the landing field, at the school: the ride up to take-off is in an Ailéments 4x4 (about 20 min), on a track closed to other vehicles. At Gourdon, meet directly at take-off. If the flight takes place at Roquebrune, the meeting point is near the station: there is no free parking, so plan for a paid public car park.
During peak season (July-August), arrive 15 minutes early.
Yes, or a ride-hailing car (Uber): there is no shuttle from Nice. Gréolières is 50 min away via Cagnes-sur-Mer and the Gorges du Loup, Gourdon 1 h.
10 to 15 minutes for the child flight, 20 to 30 minutes for the ascending flight, 45 minutes to 1 hour for the prestige or educational flight. On site, allow 1 h 30 at most for a child or ascending flight, about 1 h 45 for the prestige flight.
Not for a tandem flight: your state-qualified instructor flies, you do not need to know anything. To fly solo, you need to learn on a course: see learning to paraglide.
The day before, a confirmation SMS (GPS + schedule). On site: 4x4 ascent, safety briefing, equipment, take-off with a few running steps.
Panoramic flight then a gentle landing. On all our flights, we offer you the controls.
Yes: Discovery Course (1 day) €260, Beginner Course (5 days) €700, Progression Course (5 days) €750.
Supervision by state-qualified instructors (DEJEPS and BEES) at Gréolières. See our paragliding school near Nice.
Yes, gift vouchers are available online, valid for 1 year, with no extension, and customisable, sent by email within the hour, ready to download.
A popular idea for hen and stag parties in Nice: the bride- or groom-to-be's video is free; for groups, videos are free: 2 for 4 people, all of them from 5.
Free rescheduling to another date that we will offer you in case of adverse weather. Cancellation: full refund if you let us know at least 20 days before the flight, 50% at least 10 days before, nothing at 8 days or less (conditions of sale, article 10).
Payment on-site after the activity: no charges incurred until the flight has taken place.
4 key points for your flight over the French Riviera.
Take-off from Gréolières (1,800 m, most flights, 50 min) or Gourdon (1 h), more rarely from Roquebrune, by the sea. Panorama from Monaco to Cannes.
Child flight 100 € (from age 5), Ascendant 140 € ★ (from age 7), Prestige 250 € (from age 12), combo 190 €/pers. Max 90 kg, no physical condition required.
All year round except from January to mid-February, with over 250 flyable days. Site confirmed by text message the day before, free rescheduling if the weather is unsuitable, payment after the flight.
DEJEPS and BEES instructors, +10,000 flights with no serious accidents. Combination possible with the canyon du Loup et Stages The Nice School.
1,291+ 5-star reviews
Paragliding tandem flight Bar-sur-Loup : prices from €140, views of the Gorges du Loup and the French Riviera, Sites 15-25 mins away, state-qualified instructors.
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.
Book your tandem paragliding flight in Castellane : prices from €140, flights from Gréolières, 50 min from Castellane, FFVL qualified instructors.
Book your tandem paragliding flight Monaco : prices from €140, views of the Rock, Port Hercule and the yachts, Landing at Golfe Bleu beach.
