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Hot Air Ballooning in Provence | France


As travel enthusiast we are constantly adding to our bucket-list. From cage diving with great whites to jumping out of a plane in Australia it seems our lists gets longer and longer each day. A lot of these ideas come from fellow travel bloggers or writers that we stalk ( I mean follow). One such idea was hot air ballooning in Provence. As soon as I saw the words across my screen I knew I had to do it.

Below is everything you need to know for Hot Air Ballooning in Provence with France Montgolfieres.

 

 

 

 

I have always wanted to go in a hot air balloon I just always thought it would be in Turkey. We have all seen the pictures of the desert landscape dotted with pastel balloons floating through the air as if a single breathe could whisk them away. This in my mind was the one and only place you could go in a balloon. I know crazy. It never even occurred to me that we could go in a hot air balloon in France until Ashley sent me an article about things to do Provence from Vogue.

Within second  we had booked our tickets with  France Montgolfières.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and we were waking up at the crack of dawn to go meet our caption and crew. Arriving in Forcalquier’s town square our names were ticked off and we hopped into the cutest safari Jeep off to our launching point. Within a few minutes we were brought to a pasture where the caption and his crew worked quickly to get the balloon inflated.

I felt like we were on a movie set everything.

As I was watching the balloon increase to mammoth proportions I started to get both excited and terrified. I am one of those people who leap first think later. I am impulsive and tend to just say fuck it let’s do it.  So it was only when I was about to jump into the basket, that it downed on me that I was a bit nervous. Luckily I am never one to let my nerves get the best of me and so I gave myself a little peep talk and told myself there was no backing out.

And I am so happy I did.

The ride was so smooth I couldn’t even tell I was floating up higher and higher. Neither Ashley or I experienced any sort of motion sickness or any sort of vertigo. We were up for about an hour and a half or more but I can’t be certain because I totally lost track of time. Up there you could see for miles. The view was incredible and a once in a lifetime experience. It was incredible to both see Provence and the lavender fields from the ground and the air.

Even the landing was so smooth we literally dropped onto a field like a dandelion fuzz.

 

It was a surreal experience made even more better by our amazing captain and crew. While we waited for the balloon to fill they laid out coffee, tea and mini croissants to munch on. And once we landed they popped open bottle of champagne to commemorate the day. Our captain Fernado was very knowledgeable and experienced which are two things you want when someone is taking your life in their hands. He had navigated balloons all over the world for over 15 years. He did a great job of pointing out the ranges and different landscape in Provence all whilst making us laugh.

Overall I cannot recommend France Montgolfières enough !!

 


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Written By:

Hi, I’m Jay. A twenty-something-year-old living in New York. There’s not all that much to say about me other than; I love to eat, drink and travel. I’ve lived in some incredible cities from Paris to New York to Florence, and along the way, I’ve crossed off a ton on my bucket list. I hope we inspire you to go out there and see for yourself, just how beautiful life can be.


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20 Comments

  • Reply
    interNATionalcaty
    August 2, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    This looks to be so much fun. I so want to do a hot air balloon ride.

  • Reply
    Amber Myers
    August 2, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    Wow, this looks amazing. And to do it in France? Yes please. One day, I hope.

  • Reply
    Jessica@HappilyHughes
    August 2, 2017 at 7:50 pm

    This is something I can totally get on board with! The views from a balloon are amazing most anywhere, but the views while ballooning in France? Spectacular!!

  • Reply
    Anne Yedlin
    August 2, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    I have never been up in a hot air balloon but it looks like a fantastic time! It’s definitely on my to do list!

  • Reply
    Heather Johnson
    August 2, 2017 at 10:40 pm

    Wow! I must say that hot air ballooning in Provence looks and sounds absolutely amazing. I am not sure if I would be brave enough.

  • Reply
    Denay DeGuzman
    August 2, 2017 at 10:59 pm

    What a fabulous hot air balloon excursion! My daughter and her fiancee went hot air ballooning near Napa, California. I must admit being scared of heights – but I need to put fear in my back pocket and take the plunge! Thanks for sharing your awesome adventure in France.

  • Reply
    Marlene Wetch
    August 2, 2017 at 11:49 pm

    If I was not so terrified of heights I would love to experience this. But, I think I would have a panic attack if I went up in a hot air balloon ride

  • Reply
    Angela Milnes
    August 3, 2017 at 12:09 am

    What an amazing trip that would be. I would love just being in France, let alone ballooning in it!

  • Reply
    Cindy Dent Gordan
    August 3, 2017 at 12:10 am

    This is totally something I would do. What a great way to see France.

  • Reply
    Gideon
    August 3, 2017 at 2:24 am

    Always saw those on T.V and Magazines but would love to really try it out myself one day, would surely be a great experience.

  • Reply
    Angela
    August 4, 2017 at 12:17 am

    Hot air balloons seem like such a scary ride to me lol. But this hot air ballooning in provence France looks SO great!

  • Reply
    Sondra
    August 4, 2017 at 1:39 am

    A hot air balloon seems like it would be a great idea. But it also seems little scary to be up that high. The views though are probably the best thing about the whole experience.

  • Reply
    Melanie
    August 4, 2017 at 2:25 am

    What an incredible way to enjoy the scenery of France! I would absolutely adore a hot air balloon ride.

  • Reply
    Shevoneese McFarlane
    August 4, 2017 at 10:28 am

    Sounds amazing and quite the adventure. Hot air ballooning has always been something I want to experience.

  • Reply
    Urvi
    August 4, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Wow the view is amazing. I bet you had so much fun. Hot air balloon ride is in my bucket list.

  • Reply
    fashionmommywm
    August 4, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    What an amazing way to see a place, although I do have a bit of an irrational fear of hot air balloons.

  • Reply
    Angela RIcardo Bethea
    August 4, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Seeing and experiencing hot air balloons is on my bucket list. I really wish we can go on one soon. Beautiful pictures!!!!

  • Reply
    Rebecca Swenor
    August 4, 2017 at 7:49 pm

    Going up in a balloon is something I have always wanted to do but never had the chance. France Montgolfières sounds like a great way to take a ride in a balloon. Thanks for sharing your experience and the information.

  • Reply
    Krysten
    August 5, 2017 at 12:13 am

    I have always wanted to go hot air ballooning, but never have had the chance. It looks so much fun! Super romantic, especially in France as well. I’m so jealous!

  • Reply
    Megan
    August 14, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    I think I would be terrified of the heights! I can only imagine the views though, must have been spectacular.

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