A ground team follows the flight and waits for the participants at landing, benefiting from the authorization of farmers to land in their fields. “Landing can be a bit rough.” we've been told, but everything goes smoothly as the envelope deflates bit by bit, gently again. Lastly the passengers of the hot-air balloon help to fold the precious envelope while looking forward to a welcome refreshment and to receiving their well-earned diploma. It’s now 10am, and the Provence sun is just starting to heat up…

Landing

morning. It’s like a dream, with only the sound of the fire blowing in the envelope.” The balloon can’t be easily piloted so the passengers must take advantage of every second. Forcalquier, Saint-Etienne les Orgues and the fields of lavender appear in the distance.The view over the hill is beautiful, as we approach the mountains, with the breeze in our faces…we feel as though we might reach out and touch the Alps.

The Flight

Take off is imminent when the passengers are invited to climb into the basket, a "fun moment" according to Patricia, followed immediately by instructions necessary for a smooth take off and a few details about landing. Then the ropes are unfastened to allow lift-off, which happens fairly slowly as does the ascension. “We soak up the view of the dawn landscape flying past, and after a few minutes find ourselves at 1,000 meters altitude at seven o’clock in the

Discover Haute Provence with L'Occitane en Provence hot balloon and its private basket for four people.

Preparation

We gather at dawn in Haute Provence for this journey which takes close to five hours, a third of which are spent in the air. The passengers meet around the basket, taking note of the fans used to inflate the balloon, and the “envelope” which holds the hot air. An unusual atmosphere, according to Patricia, around a flat envelope in the early morning that expands as the balloon is inflated; this mysterious vehicle was previously present only in our subconscious from reading Jules Verne as children. Most of the people there are taking their first balloon flight.

“It’s a dream come true to take a trip in a hot-air balloon. Even if I was a bit nervous, I forgot my fear and completely let go to fully live the moment. What a surprise, I loved the calm and gentle feeling.” The balloon trip, organized by France Montgolfières, which has been flying the L’Occitane balloon since last June, takes place in three steps, which each has its own charm…

By Caroline Taret - September 27, 2011

Patricia Montesinos, head of Communications for L’Occitane en Provence, remembers her flight in a hot-air balloon one morning over Forcalquier. An emotional experience on every level.

« An unrivalled feeling »

... Patricia Montesinos talks about her flight in a hot-air balloon.

Nature

L’Occitane owns a hot-air balloon with a capacity of 15 people that flies in the Loire Valley.

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A journey in a hot-air balloon
in Forcalquier

www.franceballoons.com

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