Paragliding Sainte-Maxime: tandem flights in the Préalpes d'Azur
Sainte-Maxime has the gulf, we have the mountains: our flights take off from Gréolières, 1 h 45 by road, with views of the coast as far as Saint-Tropez and Fréjus. Child flight €100, tandem flight €140, state-qualified instructors, over 20 years of experience, meeting confirmed the day before.
Sainte-Maxime looks across the gulf at Saint-Tropez, but to go paragliding with us you head into the hinterland: our flights take off from Gréolières, in the Préalpes d'Azur, about 1 h 45 by road.
People come for the height difference: up to 1,000 m depending on the take-off, and flights of 10 to 60 minutes depending on the option. For other departure points in the department, see our paragliding in the Var page.
With 3 h 30 of driving there and back and about 1 h 30 on site, a flight takes a good half day; it also combines with canyoning in the Gorges du Loup to fill the day.
This guide: where we fly, what the day looks like from Sainte-Maxime, the options, how it works and the FAQ.
Take-off
Where to fly from Sainte-Maxime
To be completely open: we do not fly over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Our flights take place in Gréolières, where the height difference keeps you in the air for 10 to 60 minutes.
Our main site: take-offs from the Cheiron ridges, flights of 10 to 60 minutes, school at the foot of the landing field.
Route via the A8 then Grasse and the Gorges du Loup: allow about 1 h 45.
On site
The meeting point, in Gréolières village
You park at the landing field, next to our school. Our 4x4 then drives you up to take-off, in about 20 minutes.
The site, the time and the GPS point are sent to you by text message the day before, according to the weather.
The French Riviera as far as Fréjus and Saint-Tropez: Sainte-Maxime lies between the two
The Mercantour on the mountain side
The Gorges du Loup below and the hilltop villages of the Préalpes d'Azur
The Cheiron ridges beneath the wing
Why drive 1 h 45 when you are staying by the water? Because the terrain makes the flight: south-facing slopes, regular breezes, more than 250 flyable days a year and up to 1,000 m of height difference depending on the take-off. The other departure towns are in our flying sites in the region.
In the Var itself, Mont Lachens is a fine free-flight site; at Ailéments, our tandem flights and courses take place in Gréolières.
Staying elsewhere on the coast? See all the flying sites of Ailéments in PACA, with the driving time from each town.
Your day
A day of paragliding from Sainte-Maxime
The day before, you receive the site, the time and the GPS point of the meeting by text message. This saves you driving 1 h 45 for nothing when the weather does not allow flying: in that case, postponing is free.
On the day, allow 1 h 45 by road via the A8 and Grasse, then about 1 h 30 on site for a tandem flight (1 h 45 for a prestige flight). In the air, you find the coast you have just left, as far as Fréjus and Saint-Tropez, with the Mercantour on the other side.
On the way back, you are by the water again to end the day: La Nartelle beach, the port of Sainte-Maxime or a boat to Saint-Tropez. Our neighbours make the same drive: see our paragliding Saint-Tropez page, and paragliding from Saint-Raphaël, 1 h 15 away.
Without a car, you will need a ride-hailing service: we do not run a shuttle from the coast.
In flight
The Azur Prealps from the sky
At the end of the road, here is what awaits visitors from Sainte-Maxime: a glimpse of a flight in Gréolières. Video of your flight optional (+€30), included in the Prestige and Educational flights.
In the air, the view runs from the Mercantour to the Mediterranean. Your instructor films the take-off, the turns above the ridges and the landing; the video is transferred to your phone, ready to show that evening, back by the gulf.
Our options
Our paragliding packages in Sainte-Maxime
From the gentle child flight to the long prestige flight, each option is described on our tandem paragliding flight page. The same prices wherever you come from.
Educational flight €250Paragliding on skis €100Video option +€30
For a first time with the family, the Child flight (from age 5) takes place in the morning; the Ascending flight (from age 7) is the one most people choose; the Prestige flight and the Educational flight (from age 12, 45 min to 1 h) include the video; in winter, Paragliding on skis takes off from Gréolières 1400. Equipment, state-qualified instructor and insurance included; come with closed shoes and a jacket.
On the day
How does your flight work from Sainte-Maxime?
Everything is supervised by your state-qualified instructor. The text message the day before counts double when you have 1 h 45 of driving: it saves you a wasted trip.
Confirmation the day before
The evening before, a text message with the time and the GPS point. The meeting point is at the Gréolières landing field, at the school.
The drive
1 h 45 via the A8 and Grasse, then the Gorges du Loup to finish.
Briefing & equipment
At take-off: safety instructions, harness and helmet. A few running steps into the wind, and off you go.
Flight & landing
10 to 60 min depending on the option, then a gentle landing next to the school.
In the air, you can take the controls, accept the aerobatics your instructor offers or simply take in the view. No experience is needed and each tandem flight adapts, from the most relaxed to the sportiest. At the landing, the instructor gives a debrief and hands over the video if you chose it.
We fly all year round, except from January to mid-February: regular thermals in spring and autumn, early-morning slots in summer, clear skies in winter. If the weather is not right, postponing is free, and you only pay after the flight.
No need to be sporty: the instructor handles the flight, and offers you the controls if you wish. Families with children from age 5, groups, birthdays and hen parties are welcome. And to go further, progression courses lead up to the pilot licence.
From Sainte-Maxime, it is a real outing: the road, the mountains, then the coast seen from above, before getting back to the gulf in the evening. All that is left is to choose your option and book your date.
Our expertise
A family school, expert in websites since 2013
Not a tourist factory: a family school, based in Gréolières next to the landing field. State-qualified instructors, equipment checked every season at the workshop. For a course, we can recommend accommodation: just ask.
+10,000 flights flownwithout a serious accident, +1291 reviews 5/5. Free weather postponement and payment on site after the flight, nothing to pay in advance.
Our paragliding gift voucher is valid for 1 year, with no extension; the recipient chooses the date, for a Child, Ascending or Prestige flight. For a birthday, Christmas or a hen or stag party.
Frequently asked questions about paragliding in Sainte-Maxime
Site, view of the gulf, season, drive, duration, without a car, visiting Sainte-Maxime, accessibility, weight, clothing, weather, video, training.
Where is the take-off site from Sainte-Maxime?
Gréolières, in the Préalpes d'Azur, about 1 h 45 from Sainte-Maxime via the A8 and Grasse. The GPS point is sent to you by text message the day before.
Can you see the Gulf of Saint-Tropez during the flight?
On a clear day, you can see the whole French Riviera, as far as Saint-Tropez and Fréjus, with the Mercantour on the other side. The Gorges du Loup and the hilltop villages are below.
We do not fly over the gulf: the flights take place in Gréolières.
When is the best time to fly from Sainte-Maxime?
We fly all year round except from January to mid-February, with more than 250 flyable days. Spring and autumn: regular conditions. Summer: early-morning flights.
How long is the journey from Sainte-Maxime?
About 1 h 45 via the A8 then Grasse. You park at the landing field, then our 4x4 drives you up to take-off (about 20 min).
How much time should you allow in total?
Allow 3 h 30 of driving there and back and about 1 h 30 on site for a tandem flight (1 h 45 for a prestige flight): a good half day.
Can you combine paragliding with a visit to Sainte-Maxime?
And on the way back: La Nartelle beach, the port of Sainte-Maxime or a boat to Saint-Tropez.
Can you come without a car from Sainte-Maxime?
You will need a ride-hailing service: we do not run a shuttle from the coast.
Is paragliding accessible to all?
Yes, from age 5 with the Child flight at €100, in the morning. No particular fitness needed: a few running steps at take-off are enough.
What is the maximum authorised weight for flying?
90 kg at most (certification of the tandem equipment). Close to the limit? Contact us.
What should I wear for a paragliding flight?
Even in summer, it is cooler at 1,800 m than by the gulf: closed shoes, long trousers, windproof jacket. Helmet and harness provided.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?
Free postponement to another date that we offer you; nothing to pay as long as the flight has not taken place. You are told by text message the day before, before you set off.
Can I give a paragliding gift voucher?
Yes: a gift card valid for one year, with no extension, for a Child, Ascending or Prestige flight.
Can I film my paragliding flight?
Yes, GoPro video +€30 (included in the Prestige and Educational flights), transferred to your phone.
Can I take a paragliding course after my first flight?
Yes Discovery course (1 day, €260), Beginner course (5 days, €700), Progression course (5 days, €750), up to certification. See our paragliding school for residents of the Var.
PY
Guide written byPierre-Yves Fenet · Ailéments
DEJEPS instructor in free flight and canyoning, founder of Ailéments in 2013. Over 20 years of free-flight experience. Flies in Gréolières, in the Préalpes d'Azur. The school regularly welcomes visitors from Sainte-Maxime, 1 h 45 by road from the landing field.
4 key points for flying when you are staying in Sainte-Maxime.
1
Gréolières 1 h 45 away · flights of 10 to 60 min
Up to 1,000 m of height difference depending on the take-off. More details on the paragliding Var page.
2
From €100 · SMS the day before
Child flight 100 €, Ascendant 140 € ★, Prestige 250 €. Confirmation the day before to avoid wasted journeys.
3
A good half day
3 h 30 of driving there and back and about 1 h 30 on site; canyoning in the Gorges du Loup fills the day, otherwise head back to the beaches of the gulf.
4
Courses and accommodation advice
DEJEPS and BEES instructors, +10,000 flights without a serious accident. Courses in Gréolières: we can recommend accommodation, just ask.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
Real experiences, real memories, real adventures
EXCELLENT
Based on 1291 reviews
A
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 !
H
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
C
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.
A
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
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
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.
Ste-Maxime → 06
