Saint – Cergue

Saint-Cergue launches from 1,001 m in the Swiss Jura above Lake Geneva, on a southeast-to-southwest-facing slope, with the caveat that a glide ratio of at least 5 is needed to clear the trees safely on the way down. Flying runs from 9am to 5pm in summer, with midday — noon to 2pm — considered the best window, and the site works under the prevailing wind as long as it isn't too strong. Airspace is capped at 2,000 m ASL over the Jura ridge and down to the base of the mountain, dropping to 1,000 m ASL over the villages, and the site sits under Geneva's TMA; wind over 20 km/h grounds the flying. To reach launch, park at 'Le Château de Monteret' — from Saint-Cergue, cross the railway and drive toward Arzier for 1.2 km, then turn right following signs for Monteret for another 0.9 km to the small château, then walk southwest across the pasture and down through the forest (about 100 m each way) until you reach the railway; turn right and takeoff is 20 m along. Landing is northeast of Givrins, in a stretch of large open fields with a visible windsock — an easy, uncomplicated approach.

Launch & conditions

Requires a glide ratio of at least 5 to clear the trees safely. Best flying window is noon to 2pm, within the 9am–5pm summer hours, under the prevailing wind if not too strong.

Getting there & local rules

Park at 'Le Château de Monteret': from Saint-Cergue, cross the railway and drive toward Arzier for 1.2 km, turn right following signs for Monteret for another 0.9 km, then walk southwest across the pasture and down through the forest (about 100 m each way) to the railway line — takeoff is 20 m along, on the right.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Saint – Cergue, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Saint – Cergue with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.