Millau – Puncho d Agast

Puncho d'Agast is the big grassy launch above Millau, looking straight out at the viaduct, and it is one of the most forgiving sites of its size in France — a wide, safe takeoff area, three separate launches covering most of the compass, and evening restitution that runs remarkably long into a summer night. The north launch has recently been rebuilt and widened, the northwest-to-west side offers several slopes and a choice of where to go, and the south launch is steeper. All three are accessible to disabled pilots, which is rare and worth saying. This is a busy site with a lot of low-airtime pilots on it through the season, so right-of-way discipline matters more here than the flying does: take your time, look before you commit, and give people room. There are three landing fields, all visible from launch.

Launch & conditions

A wide, safe grassy area above the town with three launches: a recently rebuilt and widened north takeoff, a northwest-to-west side with several slopes and launch options, and a steeper south takeoff. All three are accessible to disabled pilots.

Getting there & local rules

By car or on foot from the town, parking under the pines just before the launches — overnight parking is forbidden. A shuttle runs up from Millau Plage in the good-weather season; bring coins.

Local rules & hazards

In summer a marshal manages the launch, and there are many pilots here including beginners, so respect right-of-way and take your time; the usable window on sunny summer days runs from early afternoon into the late evening. A strong southeasterly sometimes arrives in the evening, and summer afternoons are strongly thermic. Of the three landings, Millau Plage is the large official one and La Graufesenque sits between the Dourbie and the Tarn; the golf field is smaller and narrower. Watch for zip lines above the Tarn on approach and the tall poplars surrounding the field.

Check conditions before you fly

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