EXPERIENCE flights

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Two
experiences await you!

Every year, the skies over Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu take on a colorful array of hot-air balloons, from dawn to early evening. An enchanting spectacle, always in harmony with the weather to guarantee safety and pleasure for all.

ENVOLÉES
morning

Join us at 3.45pm for a hot-air balloon ride at sunset. At 5:30 p.m., climb aboard and let yourself be carried into the air to admire the landscape under the magnificent evening colors. The perfect way to end the day.

Ticketing 2025 to come

ENVOLÉES
in the evening

Join us at 4.45 a.m. for a sunrise hot-air balloon flight. At 6:00 am, take to the skies and discover the beauty of the landscape bathed in the first light of day. An unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventurers.

Ticketing 2025 to come

Takeoff sites

Please note that these are the potential sites from which hot-air balloons can take off. That said, due to the many meteorological factors that must be taken into account for a flight to take place, we cannot guarantee that hot-air balloons will take off from these precise locations.
  • Polyvalente Marcel-Landry
    365 Av. Landry, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J2X 2P6
  • Docquier Park
    86 Rue Docquier, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J2W 2G3, Canada
  • Québécor
    800 Boul. Industrial, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 8G4
  • Centre-de-Plein-Air-Ronald-Beauregard
    93 Rue Towner, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 3S8
  • Expert Battery TCED
    700 Chemin du Grand Bernier N, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J2W 2H1
  • Corporation du Fort Saint-jean
    15 Rue Jacques-Cartier N, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 8R8
  • Marcellin-Champagnat High School
    14 Chem. des Patriotes E, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J2X 5P9

take-off sites

Depending on weather conditions, hot-air balloons can take off from different locations. During the festival, the main point of departure is the site itself, of course, depending on Mother Nature!

THE 2024 TAKE-OFF SITES:

→ The festival site

→ Corporation du Fort Saint-Jean

We'll keep you informed in real time on our social networks and on the festival site regarding the status of the take-offs. Be sure to follow us on our platforms to keep up with everything!

WHAT ARE THE
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS?

For a hot-air balloon to rise from its bed or even deploy on the ground, it requires the cooperation of Mother Nature. Even if the weather is fine, a few conditions are enough to complicate the flight.

Ideal conditions

Cool temperature;

Light winds, below 15 km/h (8 knots) on the ground;

At sunrise and sunset;

→Goodvisibility.

Adverse conditions

Winds too strong, above 15 km/h (8 knots);

Zero winds;

Presence of a thunderstorm cell within a 50 km radius;

Rain;

Wet fields.

Physical conditions

Young people aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult;

Passengers must be physically fit to: get in and out of the basket easily on their own, hold onto something without assistance and remain standing for the duration of the flight;

Use the step on the side of the carrycot to step over its edge;

Take the shock of landing. This is equivalent to a jump from a kitchen chair;

Be able to walk on uneven terrain.

THE MEANING
OF FLAGS

After a thorough analysis of the weather, the officers decide whether or not to authorize hot-air balloon launches. There are several flag codes to keep track of the situation during the festival.


green flag

This flag indicates that teams are authorized to inflate with hot air. However, they must wait for authorization from the officers before taking off.


Yellow flag

This flag indicates that only cold air inflation is permitted. Teams must wait before inflating with hot air and taking off.


Red flag

This flag indicates that conditions are not favorable for swelling.

SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, THE CAPITAL OF HOT-AIR BALLOONING!

For over 40 years, the International Balloon Festival has been lighting up the skies over Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu with dozens of colorful balloons. Spread over a period of 10 days, the festival is one of the biggest national tourist events, and the largest gathering of hot-air balloons in Canada.

The impressive number of hot-air balloons at the festival has earned the city of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu the prestigious title of Hot-air Balloon Capital, a distinction it and its residents have proudly held for many years.

The vast ballooning community involved in the International Balloon Festival helps to make this event a unique gathering for all families and all ages. We also thank the local farmers who allow us to land on their land every year. We're happy to maintain this special relationship with the community.

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