Annecy – Planfait

Planfait, above the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, is one of the most beloved flying sites on earth — and the reason Annecy is often called the world capital of paragliding. The launch drops toward turquoise water with the Tournette massif rising behind, feeding gentle morning soaring for newly-rated pilots and powerful afternoon thermals for cross-country flights. Its huge, forgiving lakeside landing at Talloires and the dense cluster of local schools make it as welcoming to a first solo flight as it is to a 100-kilometre XC.

Launch & conditions

A grassy launch that works best on west-through-northwest flow. Mornings are typically smooth and buoyant; thermals build through the middle of the day and can turn strong in summer.

Getting there & local rules

Reached by road from Talloires-Montmin; a shuttle runs in season. Always check the local club's site rules and the day's conditions before flying.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Annecy – Planfait, 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 Annecy – Planfait with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.