Bird's-eye view of the vines

Do you want to fly over a particular 'cru' or float freely over hillside vineyards and villages? Choose the means of aerial transport which best suits you – energetic or relaxed – and view Burgundy's vineyards from the sky. It's truly magical to see gleaming glazed roof tiles set against the lovely russet colours of autumn vines...

By helicopter

Let your maiden flight be a really original one! Helicopter flights are safe, fast and enable you to appreciate the huge variety of the Burgundy wine-growing area. Take off from Beaune, Dijon or Chalon-sur-Saône to fly over prestigious vineyards on the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits: Puligny-Montrachet, Savigny-les-Beaune, Nuits-St-Georges and Le Clos de Vougeot, to name but a few! If you prefer a less-frequented area why not explore the spectacular Côte Chalonnaise?

Something more upmarket? You could take a helicopter trip as an unforgettable adjunct to your exclusive “wine tour” Some luxurious Burgundy wine holidays include a night's accommodation in a Relais & Châteaux hotel.

Microlight or paramotor?

Close above the vines, the slow flight of a microlight is an excellent way to view and photograph the vineyards in all their detail. Feel the fresh air on your face on the now famous “hanging bike” or sit inside a closed cockpit microlight, rather like a little aeroplane. Most Burgundian clubs offer 30 to 50 minute trips open to everyone.

Want to get away from it all, be free and independent? An introductory paramotor flight is an affordable and thrilling way to view the vineyards.

Hot-air balloon

Silently floating with the breeze must be the most soul-stirring way to fly over the Burgundian vineyards. For thirty years Air escargot has been flying hot-air balloons over the Côte des vins. France Montgolfières lets you admire Vézelay and its vineyards before flying up to the Chablisien. An unforgettable experience! From May to September, Nevers Tourist Information office organises a dozen flights: as the grape harvest approaches, fly high over the Loire then catch a distant glimpse of the first vines at Pouilly-sur-Loire...

Practical information

Bourgogne Tourisme and the corresponding Comités Départementaux du Tourisme offer weekend breaks based on aerial activities. They also provide contact details for operators offering a flight over the vineyards as part of a “Wine Tour".

Fédération française aéronautique
The FFA supplies all kinds of useful aeronautical information: list of aerodromes and flying clubs, regional events, introduction to various types of flying...
www.ff-aéro.fr