Aquitaine Montgolfieres

Aquitaine Montgolfières is a hot-air balloon company based in Béarn, in France’s Pyrénées-Atlantiques, near the Basque Country. It offers passengers a peaceful way to discover the Béarn des Gaves and surrounding areas, including Navarrenx, Sauveterre, Salies-de-Béarn, Oloron and Orthez. Experiences include introductory balloon flights, night flights and panoramic views from a tethered balloon. Flights last about an hour and operate year-round, typically at sunrise or late afternoon, weather permitting. A ground vehicle follows the balloon and returns passengers to the departure point after the flight.

The company also provides balloon activities for celebrations and events, and its site refers to advertising balloons. Aquitaine Montgolfières is approved by France’s Directorate General for Civil Aviation to carry passengers. Chief pilot and instructor Laurent Bourguet has more than 1,000 flight hours and extensive passenger experience. The team emphasizes safety and may cancel whenever conditions raise concern. Its balloons use propane, which the company describes as a non-polluting fuel. Aquitaine Montgolfières also offers flight instruction.