Bandol residents and visitors, treat yourselves to a baptism starting from the capital of Var wine. Ailéments Paragliding School: state-qualified instructors, flights lasting 20 to 60 minutes over the Préalpes d'Azur. From 100 €.
Bandol → 06Bandol, the capital of Varois wine, is a perfect starting point for discovering the paragliding in the PACA region. From the town, you can reach the site in 1 hour and 40 minutes 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 Bandol for a day’s 100 % thrills.
Bandol, the wine capital of the Var, is 1 hour 40 minutes from Gréolières — just enough time to swap vineyards and the sea for the high mountains: over 1,000m of elevation gain and flights lasting between 10 and 60 minutes over the Préalpes d'Azur, between the Cheiron ridges, the Gorges du Loup and the Mercantour peaks.
This guide : the site, what we really see, the formulas, the process and the complete FAQ.
To be perfectly honest: you don’t fly over the Bandol coastline. But at 1h40, Gréolières offers something no other site in the Var can — real altitude 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 Bandolians.
Why head into the hinterland when you live by the water? Because the wind conditions at Gréolières are unrivalled on the coast: a south-facing aspect, sea-to-mountain breezes and over 250 flyable days per year. The elevation gain, unobtainable near the coast, transforms a simple jump into a real navigation above the crests – accessible to beginners and those who want more, afterwards, learn to fly.
The journey via the A8 and Grasse takes you through beautiful scenery, and the day pairs well with the pleasures of Bandol: a tasting in the AOC Bandol areas, the hilltop village of Le Castellet or the beaches on the way back. The more adventurous can add a canyoning trip for a day packed with thrills. The neighbouring areas aren’t to be outdone: people also come to fly from Toulon.
What you discover up there never fails to amaze: the Gorges du Loup winding below, the hilltop villages of the Pre-Alps, the Mediterranean on the horizon and, to the north, the often snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour. A 360° panorama stretching from sea to mountains – few introductory flights in France offer such a view so close to the coast. And to round off the day, the hinterland has plenty to offer: listed villages, Provençal markets, swimming in a lake or canyoning in the nearby gorges — enough to turn the flight into a proper day out.
What awaits the people of Bandol on arrival: a glimpse of the Gréolières flight. Souvenir video option available (+€30), included in the Prestige flight.
Once airborne, the scenery shifts: the Cheiron crests, the Gorges du Loup, and the Mediterranean on the horizon. The onboard camera, held by your instructor, captures the big jump, the turns, and the gentle landing. An HD memento to relive and share once you're back in Bandol.
From gentle child fares to long-haul premium flights, a formula for baptism For every craving. Identical prices regardless of your home county.
Regarding the formulas, the price is the same for everyone. The Child flight (morning, from 5 years old) for a reassuring first time; the Ascending flight, best-seller, for ascendant and sensation; the Educational flight and the Walk & Fly to get started with flying; the Paragliding on skis winter since Gréolières 1400; and the Prestige flight, Long-term, 4K video included. Approved equipment, state-certified monitor, and insurance always included.
A simple and reassuring journey, guided from start to finish by your state-certified instructor. Confirmation text message the day before – essential to avoid an unnecessary trip from Bandol.
Text message with the GPS coordinates of the meeting point at Gréolières and the schedule, subject to weather conditions.
1h40: A8 towards Nice, Grasse, then the routes of the Prealps. 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.
Once you’re in the air, you’re in control: take control Take a moment to try some aerobatics, or simply let yourself be carried along in silence. The instructor wraps up with a debriefing and hands you the video if you’ve opted for one. No preparation is needed — a few running steps at take-off are enough — and the flight can be tailored to suit everyone, from the most cautious to the most adventurous.
We fly Gréolières almost all year round: in spring and autumn for the most consistent thermals, early morning flights in summer, and on sunny days in winter. The flight slot is confirmed the day before by text message — which is invaluable if you’re coming from Bandol, so you never make the journey for nothing — and rescheduling is free: you only pay for your flight once you’ve landed.
And what if it's your first flight? No worries: no experience required; the instructor takes care of everything; you just have to run a few meters facing the wind and then sit in the harness. Kids fly from the age of 5, people prone to vertigo are often the most surprised (the sensation is nothing like a parachute jump), and everyone chooses their own intensity, from contemplative strolls to acrobatics. We come as a family, as a couple, among friends or for a bachelor or bachelorette party — groups take advantage of dedicated slots. And those who catch the virus then extend their learning with a progression course leading to the pilot's license.
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.
Book my flight
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.
Do you have a question? Contact us.
Order a gift voucher
Location, actual view, season, route, tour of Bandol, accessibility, weight, clothing, weather, video, training.
Gréolières, in the Azurian Prealps: approximately 1 hour 40 minutes — the A8 towards Nice, then the scenic roads through the Pre-Alps. The route takes you through the beautiful landscapes of Provence, amongst vineyards and hilltop villages
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 spectacle of the Bandol coastline, but of 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 40 minutes : A8 towards Nice, then Grasse and the scenic routes of the Pre-Alps. Free parking at take-off.
Yes: combo with the canyoning near Bandol for a day’s 100 % thrills.
And in town: a tasting session at the AOC Bandol areas, the hilltop village of Castellet, the port and its beaches.
Yes, right from 5 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 trip from Bandol.
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, €700), Further training (5 days, €750), up to certification. See our paragliding school for residents of the Var.
4 key points for Bandol residents 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 Bandol, or return via the AOC areas and Le Castellet.
DEJEPS instructors, +6,000 flights without serious accident. Courses with partner accommodation at Gréolières.
Over 1000 5-star reviews
Paragliding tandem flight Bar-sur-Loup | Prices from €100, views of the Gorges du Loup and the French Riviera | Sites 15-25 mins away, FFVL-qualified instructors.
Book your first-time paragliding experience Gréolières | Prices from €100, take-off at 1,800 metres on the Cheiron | Panoramic views of the Côte d’Azur and Mercantour.
Book your paragliding baptism in Castellane | Prices from €100, views of the Gorges du Verdon and Lake Castillon | FFVL qualified instructors.
Book your paragliding baptism Monaco | Prices from €100, views of the Rock, Port Hercule and the yachts | Landing at Golfe Bleu beach.
