There’s nothing quite like standing in the Swiss mountains with hot air balloons all around you.
This weekend marks the 46th anniversary of the International de Balloons Chateau d’Ex festival – a unique and magical experience for the whole family.
The Swiss Alps are about to be transformed into a fantasy land to rival Cappadoccia. The show begins as soon as the burners are fired up. On the ground, watch the pilots busily inflating their colourful envelopes, then watch them take flight like soap bubbles. The day begins with the preparation, inflation, and release of balloons, followed by competitions for pilots and crafts for children at the Festival au Pays des Enfants (FAPE), Ballons Pirates, and face painting. The Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d’Œx (starting at the Landi stage and finishing at the Espace Ballon).
The event lets you discover life in the mountain pastures in Virtual Reality, thanks to L’Etivaz AOP. There are captive flights* for children aged 5 to 12, and there may even be a mini teddy flight. There are plenty of food stands and a demonstration of Sky Chariots and Cloudhoppers
The Air show itself begins at 1.30pm, and there will be an extra 330 LX aerobatic aircraft, the chance to step inside a real hot air balloon envelope inflated on the ground, and a chance to take a flight yourself.
There is also a night flight organised by Jeunesse des Moulins, at the Grande Salle in Château-d’Œx. Admission CHF 10. Pyjama bus for the return trip to Pays-d’Enhaut.
The Ballons du Léman is a Swiss hot-air balloon operator which now offers accessible flights for people with a wide range of disabilities, thanks to specially adapted baskets. These accessible hot-air balloons will be available for hire at the next instalment of the annual International Balloon Festival in Château d’Oex, from 24 January to 1 February 2027.
ballons-du-leman.ch/en | festivaldeballons.ch/en
LUXE Serendipity magazine 
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