Laragne is the best known of the local sites . Many Paraglider and most Hang glider pilots will have heard of Laragne Chabre, but only recently have paraglider pilots discovered how good it is. Although it is better known to the Germans, Swiss, Czechs, Belgians etc. even the Brit paraglider pilots have now started to match numbers with the hang gliders, Conditions are often strongly thermal in early afternoon, especially in mid summer, as is the case with most other popular French Alpine sites. The site has enormous XC potential, particularly to the North and North East and is a great site for ridge flights to the West and back to land either to Laragne or Sisteron.
The site has a Balise on top giving weather information every 15 minutes on the FFVL frequency, 143.9875MHz this information can, however, require interpretation. There is a forest road to take off, which it is hoped will be upgraded in 2005.. Please do not park in the turning circle as it is also the emergency helicopter landing!
The main, South East, take off at Laragne only really works in thermal conditions. Flying in soaring mode means flying in relatively strong wind, not generally advised on a spine back, Take off is huge with plenty of room to lay out lots of gliders, the 30 or 40 hanggliders (or more) often found on take off in July and August set up clear of the main paragliding launch and tend to launch later than the 'floppies' they often regard as wind dummies. With three take off spots and room for at least 10 paragliders to lay out, take offs are luckily not overly pressured, unlike some sites further North. The site often has gentle breezes in the mornings and is often used by schools. However thermals become strong from midday hence the site's enormous potential for cross country flights. The terrain to the North West through South East consists of big flat open valleys with lots of fields for a 'Vache' (out landing) between the Orchards, but with big hills in, amongst and around them to find that second thermal source the site is ideal for safe departures from the hill. Indeed a recent article in a French magazine listed Laragne to Aspres (and back), as one of the five best 'cross countries for all', the article title having been changed from 5 easy cross country's.
The North take offs at Laragne are more committed and, while fine for hang gliders, require a level of confidence and competence on a paraglider. Luckily the wind generally blows from the South and if it doesn't then there are several gentler North facing sites in the area. Laragne North has no less than three huge official landing fields (two are big enough for light aircraft and used for such).