Tandem Paragliding
over Lake Annecy
Fly in tandem with a certified instructor above one of Europe's most beautiful lakes — no experience needed, from age 5
State-certified instructors · Since 1994 · Forclaz Pass · Haute-Savoie
"Magic Annecy" — the world's most beautiful paragliding site
Imagine soaring silently above the turquoise waters of Lake Annecy, surrounded by the peaks of the French Alps. Our 12 state-certified instructors — several with international competition titles — will take you on a tandem paragliding flight from Forclaz Pass at 1,150m altitude, known worldwide as "Magic Annecy" and host to world championships every year.
No experience required. No special fitness needed. Just turn up with a sense of adventure and comfortable shoes — we take care of everything else.
💡 First time? Over 95% of our passengers had never flown before. Our instructors are selected as much for their warmth and patience as for their skill. You are in the best possible hands.
👶 Children welcome from age 5! We have a special children's package at €85 with morning flights in the calmest conditions.
Choose your paragliding experience
Every package includes the minibus transfer from Doussard to Forclaz Pass, the safety briefing, the flight and the return. Helmet and harness provided. All you need is comfortable closed-toe shoes.
Give your child their first flight above Lake Annecy! Specifically designed for young flyers — our children's package takes place in the morning only, when conditions are at their calmest and most stable. Your child flies harnessed in front of an experienced instructor who handles absolutely everything. A genuinely magical family memory — children who do this flight never forget it.
The perfect first flight — calm, peaceful and absolutely breathtaking. Your instructor flies a smooth arc above the turquoise lake and the Alpine peaks, no acrobatics, no sudden movements. You settle back in your harness, breathe in the mountain air, and simply enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas in the world. Ideal for first-timers, families and anyone who prefers a serene, contemplative experience.
Love adrenaline? This is the one for you. Your instructor will take you through tight banked turns, wing-overs and 360° spirals above the lake — the wing tilts, the ground rushes up and you understand exactly why people do this again and again. Thrills absolutely guaranteed, with total safety throughout. The most popular choice for anyone who wants their heart racing.
Experience free flight the way pilots experience it every day — soaring on thermals for 30 to 45 minutes, riding invisible columns of warm air rising from the valley floor. Your instructor explains the technique as you fly. You can take the controls yourself and try steering if you'd like. Below you, the entire length of Lake Annecy unfolds — villages, châteaux, forests, mountain ridges. The flight that changes how you see the world.
The complete, ultimate package — everything in one. A 30 to 45 minute thermal flight with your experienced instructor, acrobatics on request if you want the thrills, and at landing an SD card with HD photos and video taken during your flight by your instructor. Ready to share the moment you touch down. The one package to choose if you can only do one — and our most popular gift option.
Winter Special — Ski Paragliding at La Clusaz
Available in ski season only — take off on skis from the Beauregard gondola at La Clusaz and soar above the snow-covered Aravis mountains with Mont Blanc in the background. HD photos and video included. An absolutely unique experience you won't find anywhere else.
Give a Paragliding Gift Voucher
Looking for an unforgettable gift? Our paragliding gift vouchers are valid for 12 months on all packages. Perfect for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries or any special occasion — from €85. Sent instantly by email, ready to print or forward.
What happens step by step?
Meet at Doussard landing zone
Your meeting point is our chalet at the Doussard landing zone, 30 minutes from Annecy along the lake. Free parking available. The exact address is sent by email after booking. Please arrive 15 minutes before your slot.
Minibus transfer to Forclaz Pass
Board our minibus for the 20-minute drive up to Forclaz Pass at 1,150m. The mountain road itself offers stunning views and is part of the experience. You meet your instructor during this drive.
Safety briefing & harness fitting
Your instructor fits your harness precisely to your build, explains the few simple steps at take-off, and answers every question you have. Calm, clear, reassuring — even for the most nervous passengers. There is no pressure and no rush.
Take-off — a few steps and you're in the air
No jumping, no sudden drop. You walk forward a few steps on the gentle grassy slope, the wing inflates naturally above you, and your feet leave the ground smoothly. Most passengers describe the first moment of flight as surprisingly peaceful.
Your flight above Lake Annecy
Settle back in your harness and enjoy. The whole lake unfolds below you — the medieval village of Talloires, the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, the Aravis range, and on clear days the full Mont Blanc massif at 4,808m. You can take the controls yourself if you'd like to try steering — just ask.
Smooth landing at Doussard
A few steps on the grass of the landing zone and you're down. The lakeside terrace is right there for a well-deserved drink. Prestige package passengers receive their SD card with photos and videos at this point — ready to share immediately.
Total time from meeting to end: approximately 1h15 to 1h30
This includes the minibus drive, the briefing, your flight and the return. Plan for this in your day — it's worth every minute. Performance and Prestige flights can last up to 45 minutes in the air when thermals are strong and conditions are optimal.
Everything you need to know before you arrive
⚠️ Medical note: Paragliding is not recommended in case of severe heart conditions, unstabilised epilepsy or advanced pregnancy. If in doubt, consult your doctor before booking.
30 years of sharing the sky above Lake Annecy
Our promise since 1994: every passenger leaves smiling. In 30 years we have introduced tens of thousands of people to the joy of free flight above Lake Annecy. Our instructors are selected as much for their ability to make every passenger feel completely safe and completely amazed as for their technical skill.
Thousands of happy passengers since 1994
"An absolutely incredible experience. The instructor was fantastic — professional, calming and fun. The views over the lake are simply breathtaking. We booked the Prestige package and the photos are stunning. Worth every penny!"
"We did the Sensation flight — the instructor knew exactly how to calibrate the thrills. Exciting but never scary. The whole operation is incredibly professional. Absolute highlight of our holiday in Annecy."
"My 7-year-old was beaming ear to ear after his children's flight. The instructor was so patient and reassuring. We were all nervous beforehand but the team put us completely at ease from the moment we arrived."
"I did the Performance package and stayed up for nearly 45 minutes. My instructor pointed out Mont Blanc, the Aravis, the château — a private guided tour of the Alps from above. I will never forget this."
Your questions about tandem paragliding in Annecy
No experience whatsoever is needed. Tandem paragliding means you fly attached to your state-certified instructor who handles absolutely everything — the take-off, the flight and the landing. Your only job at take-off is to walk forward a few steps on the slope. That's genuinely it.
Over 95% of our passengers had never flown before their first flight with us. First-timers are always our most enthusiastic passengers.
No — and this surprises most passengers. Paragliding feels nothing like standing on the edge of a cliff. Because your feet leave the ground gradually and there's no sudden drop, the brain doesn't register the classic vertigo signal. The sensation is one of floating peacefully.
Many passengers who were convinced they had a crippling fear of heights are completely amazed by how comfortable they feel in the air. If you're worried, choose the Classic package and tell your instructor — they will be extra attentive throughout.
Here's our honest recommendation:
- First time, not sure what to expect: Classic (€100) — gentle, peaceful, 10-20 min
- Love adrenaline: Sensation (€110) — wing-overs and 360° spirals
- Want a long flight and real free-flight experience: Performance (€135) — 30-45 min on thermals
- Want everything including photos and video: Prestige (€160) — our most complete package, our top recommendation
- Bringing children aged 5-12: Children's flight (€85) — morning only, very calm
- Prone to motion sickness: Classic or Children's — avoid Sensation and Performance
Still unsure? Call us at +33 4 50 45 60 61 — we're happy to advise. We speak English!
The Prestige package (€160) includes everything:
- Minibus transfer Doussard ↔ Forclaz Pass
- Safety briefing and harness fitting
- 30 to 45 minute thermal flight (real free-flight duration)
- Acrobatics on request — wing-overs, 360° spirals if you want them
- HD photos AND HD video taken during the flight by your instructor
- SD card handed to you at landing — ready to share immediately
It's also our most popular gift package. If you're buying for someone else, this is the one to choose.
Your meeting point is our chalet at Doussard landing zone, approximately 30 minutes from Annecy by road. Free parking available on site. The exact address is sent to you by email after booking.
Our minibus then takes you up to Forclaz Pass for take-off — you don't need to organise any transport. Allow 15 minutes before your booked slot.
We check weather conditions before every single flight. If conditions are not optimal — strong wind, storm, poor visibility — the flight is rescheduled at no extra cost. You choose a new slot at your convenience.
Gift vouchers are automatically extended in case of weather cancellation. Lake Annecy has an excellent microclimate — the large majority of days in the April-October season are flyable.
Yes — and you'll almost certainly be pleasantly surprised. Paragliding doesn't produce the same vertigo sensation as standing on a cliff or a building. The gradual take-off and the floating sensation in flight are completely different from what most people imagine.
We regularly fly passengers who were convinced they had a paralysing fear of heights. The feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Choose the Classic package (calm, no acrobatics) and mention your concern to your instructor — they will be particularly attentive.
Yes — we speak English! Our team is experienced with international visitors and all safety briefings can be given in English. Don't hesitate to call or email us before your flight with any questions.
Absolutely! We regularly welcome groups for stag/hen parties, birthdays, corporate team building, school trips and family reunions. For groups of 4 or more, call us directly at +33 4 50 45 60 61 — we can organise multiple simultaneous flights and ensure everyone flies together on the same day.
Ready to fly over Lake Annecy?
Book your tandem paragliding experience online — or call us and we'll help you choose the perfect package. We speak English!
📞 +33 4 50 45 60 61 · info@parapente-annecy.fr · We speak English!