Float over fairy-tale Loire Valley châteaux in a hot-air balloon

The beautiful castles and aristocratic estates of France's Loire Valley, southwest of Paris and surrounded by vineyards, form a massive Unesco World Heritage site that is even more fascinating when viewed from the air. The Montgolfier brothers of France created the montgolfière (hot-air balloon) in the 18th century, and more current modes of transportation still can't rival with floating with the breeze while drinking in the vistas in peaceful stillness (apart from the hiss of the burner). Climb aboard Ballons de Loire for a mind-blowing journey in a hot air balloon above Sologne, Loire, and Loiret, departing from Orléans, Olivet, Meung-sur-Loire, Beaugency, Jouy-le-Potier, or private land.

Allow yourself to be carried away by the wind; all you have to do is observe the magnificent landscape of the Loire Valley, and you could even see some châteaux and other hidden noble mansions in the region. Would you want to fly over the Orléans metropolitan area? The answer is available at Montgolfière Orléans en Métropole! After assisting to inflate a hot-air balloon, climb aboard for a 1 1/2 hour ride over the Orléans conurbation and its neighboring surroundings. As you float by, take in the city's iconic landmarks from above, such as the magnificent Sainte-Croix d'Orléans Cathedral and the famed Place du Martroi with its Joan of Arc monument.