Laragne – le Chabre
Paragliding site · France
- Launch altitude
- 1,304 m
- Level
- Ask the local school
- Best season
- —
- Landing
- —
Works on N · NE · SE · S · SW
Where it is
Laragne–le Chabre in the southern French Alps is one of the region's classic XC launches — a great cross-country starting point that works best in light southerly thermal conditions, though northerlies can also be productive. Hitching back from the west can be difficult (only small roads); stick to main roads or plan weekends. Two takeoff areas: N and S at the end of the paved road (HG/PG) or continue on dirt to the top for the S ramp plus S and N fields for both HG and PG.
Launch & conditions
At the end of the paved road: N and S takeoffs (HG/PG). Or continue on the dirt road to the top: ramp for S TO, fields for S and N TO (HG/PG).
Getting there & local rules
Paved road (except the last kilometre to the summit) — 2WD-friendly. Access is via the south side of the mountain near Chateauneuf-de-Chabre and is well signposted. Landings: main LZ at the Laragne-Monteglin campsite (N44.31228 E5.83495, 570 m); two intermediate south landings visible from takeoff — South 1 in a large clearing at the foot of the Chabre (simple and safe in most winds, bouncy in strong thermals), South 2 halfway up on the side of the road (short but manageable, N44.29021 E5.76719, 970 m). North landing to the NE of the mountain — large and well signposted (N44.32000 E5.79139, 600 m).
Local rules & hazards
During summer afternoons the wind may be too strong at takeoff. Mistral can shut down flying if strong enough. In summer with N/NW wind (after about 1 pm), very rough turbulent thermals can trigger off the rocky slopes below and make takeoff dangerous — be airborne before then.
Check conditions before you fly
A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Laragne – le Chabre, 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 Laragne – le Chabre with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.
Conditions right now
Live — the same sources the OutDare app uses
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Is it usually flyable?
Set your wing's wind range once — the live 7-day outlook and the last 12 months both answer for Laragne – le Chabre.
Surface wind (10 m) in km/h — the same number you read on any forecast.
The 7-day outlook and the 12-month history below both update to your range.
7-day wind outlook
High-resolution models — the same OutDare uses.
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Over the last 12 months
27% of days flyable
100 of 365 days had a dry 2-hour+ window in your range, from a direction this site flies
Best month
Jul · 58%
Flyable days by month
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Nearby flying sites
Site facts from the OutDare flying-site database. Always verify current access and regulations with the local club before flying.