Hang-Gliding in Millau

My grandmother and the Toulouse clan drove up today. They arrived in time for a large family lunch, finished Southern-French-style with strong Roquefort cheese on baguette bread and pistachio flavored pot de crème for dessert. Afterward everyone gathered in the living room for a few rounds of karaoke on the wii. There was enough ABBA, Queen, and Highschool Musical to keep everyone singing for hours, but the blue skies and French canyons were beckoning to us, and even Freddie Mercury couldn't keep us inside during such beautiful weather.

Today we planned to visit Montpellier-le-vieux, a mini Arches National Park tucked away in Aveyron, with impressive rock structures clustered in ruinesque groupings. However, when we saw the colorful crescents dotting the sky, we had to make one quick visit to the parapenting take off point on the plateaus overlooking Millau.

As we zig-zagged through the dark evergreen forests that blanketed the plateau, dozens of brightly colored paragliders peeked in and out behind the trees. The fleeting preview heightened everyone's  excitement and anticipation, until finally we reached the take off point! A large crowd was already gathered in the clearing, watching the paragliders lazily circling overhead and hoping to witness a take-off or two. Several paragliders and a lone hangglider waited near the cliff edge, listening in their radio instruments for a signal that the winds were favorable for take-off.

The view from the top of the plateau was breathtaking. Distant plateaus framed the horizon, with Millau nestled picturesquely at the bottom of the french canyons. The river Trone meandered through the town, down the green forge and disappearing behind the farmed valleys.

Because of Millau's stunning scenery and favorable wind-currents, it has gained international recognition as an ideal destination for all aviation sport lovers. In fact, some even refer to it as the paragliding capitol of Europe. With its plunging cliffs, pine covered plateaus, and clear azure skies, Aveyron's landscape is the perfect backdrop for an incredible flying experience. Regular fliers return each summer to relive the Aveyron adventure, the rush of the skies and the thrill of flying alongside vultures. Millau also provides professional assistance for beginning fliers, like tandem flights or short courses. For all aviation enthusiasts, this is an experience not to be missed.

Here is a short video featuring a hang-glider taking off from the cliffs overlooking Millau. I apologize in advance for the shaking; film-making is obviously not my forte!