The area around Annecy in the French Alps is rightly famous among the free flying fraternity for its beautiful scenery and generally reliable flying conditions. There are plenty of open alpine meadows to land out in when attempting cross country flights.

The views from the main launch above Annecy are stunning and the spectacular mountain range surrounding the lake is even better when viewed from beneath a paraglider! The main landing field is approximately 3 kilometers from launch and about 2,500 feet below, in the village of Doussard at the Southern tip of the lake.

The aim of this holiday will be to introduce pilots to the art of thermal flying, a very different prospect to UK ridge soaring. Forward launches are the norm! Most days will begin with a leisurely breakfast in the campsite, with a weather briefing, then its a short drive up the meandering mountain road to launch for the first flight of the day. This is often a long top to bottom flight as the day's termals have yet to build. Once the sun warms the ground the true thermal flying begins! As each pilot's confidence grows some simple cross country tasks can be attempted. Often the last flight of the day is a gentle float down with another extended top to bottom. There will also be the opportunity during the holdiay to fly at other famous sites in the region, such as Grand Bornand and in the sutnning Chamonix Valley.

The accommodation is in simple self-catering cabins on a friendly campsite at the lakeside, with an easy 400m walk from the landing field to the campsite. There is a restaurant on site and there are shops and cafes in the village of Dousard, five minute drive away.