Opening times, availability and prices can change. Check the linked official website or operator before you travel.
One of the unexpected pleasures of staying at Lasclottes is looking up from the garden to see a hot air balloon drifting silently over the valley. Balloons launch from fields in the surrounding countryside, and on the right morning or evening, they float above the river, the vineyards, and the hilltop villages — a magical sight.
Balloon flights are not a daily occurrence. They depend entirely on weather conditions: calm winds, clear skies, and the right atmospheric pressure. This rarity is part of their charm. When one appears, it feels like a gift.
Taking a Balloon Flight
If watching isn't enough and you'd like to fly yourself, balloon flights are available in the region. The experience is unforgettable: a sunrise or sunset launch from an open field, the quiet ascent, and then the panoramic views stretching across the patchwork of fields, forests, rivers, and medieval villages that make up the Lot-et-Garonne landscape.
Flights typically last about an hour in the air, with the whole experience (inflation, flight, landing, and the traditional champagne toast) taking around three hours.
What to Expect
Balloon flights depart at sunrise or in the late afternoon, when the air is calmest. You'll meet at the launch field, watch the balloon being inflated (an impressive sight in itself), and then gently lift off.
From the basket, you'll see the River Lot winding through the valley, the hilltop villages of Penne d'Agenais and Pujols, vineyards, sunflower fields, and forests stretching to the horizon. The silence at altitude — broken only by the occasional blast of the burner — is remarkable.
After landing, the tradition in France is to share champagne with the crew. Most operators include this in the price.
Grand Prix de la Montgolfière de Marmande
Each August, the town of Marmande (about 50 minutes from Lasclottes) hosts the Grand Prix de la Montgolfière — a spectacular balloon championship that fills the sky with dozens of colourful balloons. It's a free event with mass launches, night glows (where tethered balloons light up after dark), and a festival atmosphere.
If your visit coincides with this event, it's well worth the trip. Even if it doesn't, the Lot-et-Garonne countryside is beautiful ballooning country, and sightings from the garden at Lasclottes happen more often than you might expect.
Practical Information
Booking a Flight
Balloon operators in the region include launch sites near Gavaudun (25 minutes from Lasclottes). We can help you find a local operator and check availability when you book your stay.
Cost
Expect to pay approximately €200–€280 per person for a standard flight including champagne. Children's rates are usually available. Some operators offer private flights for couples or small groups.
Weather Dependent
Flights only go ahead in suitable conditions. Calm winds are essential. If your flight is cancelled due to weather, operators will reschedule or refund. Summer mornings offer the most reliable conditions.
What to Wear
Flat shoes and layers. It can be cool at altitude even in summer, and the morning launches are early. Bring a camera — the views are extraordinary.