Hot Air Balloon Ride in Provence?
 

Last summer my wife and I saw some early morning Hot Air Balloons while we were staying in Gordes. Has anyone any ideas on whether or not rides are available in that area. Our daughter graduates this summer and we thought a Balloon ride would be a memorable Grad gift. Thanks for any input. D. D.& L.

Doug: check out these people:<BR>http://avignon-et-provence.com/ballooning/uk/index.html

Contact these for ballooning:<BR><BR>Air Adventures<BR>Avenue du General du Gaulle<BR>21320 Pouilly en Axois<BR>France<BR>Tel: 011-33-3-80-90-74-23<BR>Fax" 011-33-3-80-90-72-86<BR>From April to Oct.<BR><BR>Adventures 4U/Horizon Travel<BR>425-889-6777<BR>arranges barge trips and balloning.<BR><BR>France Montgolfire<BR>16 pass Main d'Or <BR>75011 Paris<BR>France<BR>Tel: 011-33-1-47-00-66-44<BR>For Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

Doug: out of curiosity because I've been thinking about it myself, I did some more research. There are several sites advertising balloon rides in the Lub&eacute;ron, but I note pictures of the same balloon on different sites, so it's obvious there are only a few (if that many) operators, yet several who advertise it. They all range around 230 Euro ($ 200) per person, which includes, I quote: the flight (of course), the crew (even better), return to point of departure by 4WD, insurance and a picnic. <BR>If you want to pursue the idea, I'd be happy to find out who the real balloonist(s) are and give you their contact info.<BR>With all due respect for Fred, I wouldn't book through a Paris or even less a U.S. outfit, as you'll end up in the same balloon for lots of $$ more (or should I say at an "inflated" price?).

Last year the local price for a hot air balloon ride (including champagne afterward) was about 230 euro (USD 200).<BR>Most of the best rides are early in the morning, so you have to be there by something like 6AM.<BR><BR>They usually don't do ballooning in the summer (ending in MMay - restarting in September).<BR><BR>Here's the name and phone number (not all that far from Gordes):<BR><BR>Alain Gauche'<BR>(011 33) (0)490 74 28 01<BR><BR>(flights offered in May, September, October and November)<BR><BR>PB