La Seranne – Déco Namibie

La Séranne – Déco Namibie launches from 887 m on the Séranne ridge in France's Hérault department, working south, southeast and southwest wind for thermal, soaring and cross-country flying, with room enough on the ridge for flatland-style flying too. Access runs through Cazilhac-Le-Haut on the road from Montpellier toward Ganges, finishing on about 40 minutes of dirt road; on most flyable days, a shuttle sometimes runs up from the landing spot at Coupiac around 1 p.m., organised by the local flying club — worth checking locally whether it's running before you count on it. Walking up instead, by road or one of several footpaths, takes about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on fitness. The key rule at this launch: keep enough airspeed and altitude in hand, and never fly below the local landmark known as 'la Vierge' — dropping under it makes getting back to the official landing genuinely difficult. Landing is at Les Prats, the field just below and in front of takeoff, or alternatively at Coupiac, which isn't visible from the launch itself.

Getting there & local rules

From Montpellier, head toward Ganges and turn off at Cazilhac-Le-Haut, then about 40 minutes on dirt road. A shuttle sometimes runs up from Coupiac around 1 p.m. on flyable days, organised by the local flying club — check locally if it's running. On foot, count 1 to 1.5 hours by road or footpath depending on fitness.

Check conditions before you fly

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