In Saint-Sever-de-Rustan, Zen Altitude offers small-group flights through the landscapes of the Pyrenean foothills, facing the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. The operator is run by Christine and Richard Denninger, based in the village beside the Arros, near the former Benedictine abbey.
Which option should you choose?
The Vol Évènement Ciel is the most accessible shared option. For a more intimate experience, the Vol Duo privately charters the basket for two. The Vol Prestige takes the staging further: departure facing the Pic du Midi at sunrise, a private basket and coffee at altitude.
Good to know in 2026
Vol Évènement Ciel is advertised at €220 per adult and €150 for children aged 6 to 13. Vol Duo is offered at around €480 to €550 for two depending on the displayed offer, and Prestige at €550 for two or €770 for three. Some flights specify a maximum age of 70.
Can children come?
Yes, from age 6 on the options that accept them. Children aged 6 to 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Physical conditions remain important: as in any balloon, passengers must be able to remain standing and adopt the required position on landing.
A little something extra
The coffee at altitude at sunrise facing the Pic du Midi gives Vol Prestige a genuine identity. It is not simply a privately chartered basket: the moment, setting and light are designed as an experience in their own right.
The local anecdote
Saint-Sever-de-Rustan is a tiny village dominated by an abbey sometimes nicknamed the ‘Little Versailles of Gascony’. This contrast between discreet heritage on the ground and the broad view of the Pyrenees gives the departure point plenty of character.
