A UK pilot with four years of experience, I’ve not long returned from flying in the best weather conditions I could have wished for. I had found myself flying with endless natural beauty for as far as the eye can see. Châteaux, rivers, lakes, sunflower fields, villages, and historic towns – all these had been on my bucket list since I fell in love with paramotoring.
Such treats were in abundance in the heart of France’s Dordogne and Charente. For too long – as long as I can remember – the paramotoring community has been travelling to Turkey and Spain for flying trips. Instead I wanted to try something new: not too far from home and easy to access. Paramotor France, only a five-hour drive from Caen, was the answer I was looking for.
My first visit to the Dordogne, to John Cooper’s beautiful farmhouse at Combiers, 35km south-east of Angoulême, was in early October 2022. I came across Paramotorfrance.com online, whilst looking for a new adventure and a new area to fly. A pilot had posted a YouTube video on the website, documenting his one-week experience with John. I could not help but giggle along to the sort of witty pilot banter that we have become accustomed to in this sport (thanks Mark Allison and Lee Jackson).
When I first arrived, Bob the dog greeted me with a wagging tail and a sniff, followed by a beer and a smile from John himself. The base camp property completely exceeded my expectations. The authenticity, cosiness and warmth, and beautiful location next to a crystal-clear river with miles of empty forest, created an instant energy of relaxation and belonging.
As we sat by the heated swimming pool, under the clearest night sky with more stars than I knew existed, we discussed our passion for the sport and trips we had already been on, laughing endlessly. Travelling alone comes with its own apprehension, but the instant sense of being welcomed immediately disperses all anxieties. The night ended with a few empty bottles of the finest French wine, and a bellyful of barbecue that John had prepared. As first impressions go this was top. And yes, the 12-hour drink rule was respected.
One of the best aspects of this trip was that flight availability is abundant, as the weather was perfect every day. Our preference was to fly for two hours in the morning after we woke up, before it became too hot. Locations changed every day, as John has access to six airfields that we could use.
Such treats were in abundance in the heart of France’s Dordogne and Charente. For too long – as long as I can remember – the paramotoring community has been travelling to Turkey and Spain for flying trips. Instead I wanted to try something new: not too far from home and easy to access. Paramotor France, only a five-hour drive from Caen, was the answer I was looking for.
My first visit to the Dordogne, to John Cooper’s beautiful farmhouse at Combiers, 35km south-east of Angoulême, was in early October 2022. I came across Paramotorfrance.com online, whilst looking for a new adventure and a new area to fly. A pilot had posted a YouTube video on the website, documenting his one-week experience with John. I could not help but giggle along to the sort of witty pilot banter that we have become accustomed to in this sport (thanks Mark Allison and Lee Jackson).
When I first arrived, Bob the dog greeted me with a wagging tail and a sniff, followed by a beer and a smile from John himself. The base camp property completely exceeded my expectations. The authenticity, cosiness and warmth, and beautiful location next to a crystal-clear river with miles of empty forest, created an instant energy of relaxation and belonging.
As we sat by the heated swimming pool, under the clearest night sky with more stars than I knew existed, we discussed our passion for the sport and trips we had already been on, laughing endlessly. Travelling alone comes with its own apprehension, but the instant sense of being welcomed immediately disperses all anxieties. The night ended with a few empty bottles of the finest French wine, and a bellyful of barbecue that John had prepared. As first impressions go this was top. And yes, the 12-hour drink rule was respected.
One of the best aspects of this trip was that flight availability is abundant, as the weather was perfect every day. Our preference was to fly for two hours in the morning after we woke up, before it became too hot. Locations changed every day, as John has access to six airfields that we could use.
We were welcomed with a round of applause by the customers sitting outside, enjoying the show.
This became a great talking point with the locals and even led to a few free rounds of drinks. The food was unbelievable and, surprisingly, really affordable considering the quality. John’s partner Marta brought the van down to meet us, after a few too many drinks, and drove us back to base.
Overall the experience was endlessly perfect. It’s the type of trip that could be repeated over and over without ever getting fed up. If you want abundant flight time, mixed with a good sociable experience and an escape from the norm, Paramotor France may be what you are looking for.
John has many pilots, club members, wives, kids and schools visiting him from around the world, all agreed that it’s the perfect place to curate and maintain your flying skills. Although he does maintain a ‘wall of shame’ on the barn wall, decorated with a few broken propellers. Yet each propeller represents another fantastic Paramotor France experience.
To summarise, there are many reasons why flying in France is appealing.
- There is always somewhere to land if you ever have reason to.
- The conditions are always 0-8 mph on the ground, but realistically closer to 2, so practise those nil-wind take-offs.
- You can fly to Bergerac or Bordeaux and easily hire a car to drive down to the base camp.
- John has a trailer in the UK to transport kit. It can be dropped off to you before you travel down to France. All our kit was kindly taken down by Chilly (Mike Chilvers), my instructor from Ufly4fun, based near Kings Lynn. I hasten to add there’s an amazing club at Winglands too.
- Paramotor France is also the perfect place to gain airtime and experience for lower-hour pilots who are looking for more practice.
- For experienced pilots, non-stop adventure awaits.
- Bringing kit over is easy. There is even a downloadable form to list which kit you are taking, necessary under new Brexit law.
If you are an experienced pilot who wants to go on a club holiday with your comrades and take your family and friends, or a low-airtime pilot who wants more airtime in a safe environment, or perhaps an instructor who wants to bring your school down to a new location, Paramotor France has something for everyone.
Thanks to Mark Allison, Lee Jackson and Ed Sage for input into this article.
Further viewing
Mark Allison France on YouTube
Lee Jackson Paramotor on YouTube
Paramotor France on YouTube
