Three operators, three price points, one legendary launch site: the Dune du Pilat. Skiparapente at 90 € is the entry-level pick, open to everyone with a 2h slot that covers the briefing and the flight itself. Dune Parapente charges 120 € and flags the experience as "occasionally sporty", meaning you can expect a more dynamic flight with tighter turns and active air. At 250 €, Sud Ouest Parapente delivers a flexible window of 30 min to 1.5h in the air, with the meeting point confirmed the day before, which signals a weather-optimized approach and a premium, on-demand service. If you want the most time in the air with maximum adaptability, go with the 250 € option. If budget is the priority and you want a clean introduction to flying over Europe's tallest sand dune, 90 € gets you there.
Best value first flight
Paragliding Flight over the Dune du Pilat near Arcachon
At 90 €, Skiparapente offers a 2h session rated "Everybody welcome" in both French and English, the lowest entry price across all three options.
Best for maximum airtime
Tandem paragliding in the Dune of Pilat near Bordeaux
Sud Ouest Parapente at 250 € delivers up to 1.5h in the air with a weather-optimized booking system and bilingual pilots.
Season
May – September
Coordinates
44.6026°N, -1.1957°EEquipment
Wear closed-toe shoes with ankle support since you'll run a few steps on a steep sand slope at launch. Bring a windproof layer regardless of ground temperature, as air gets colder once you're airborne over the Arcachon Bay.
Getting there
All three operators are based in La Teste-de-Buch, directly at the foot of the Dune du Pilat, roughly 60 km southwest of Bordeaux via the A63 motorway.
Updated on 3 March 2026