Icarus Cup Free-Flying Festival, France
Is it a bird, is it a plane…?
If you’ve ever dreamt of strapping on a pair of wings and gliding across the sky – then you have to be in France this September! Saint-Hillaire du Touvet to be precise, a peaceful village about 25km from Grenoble in the Southeast.
Icarus Cup
What is it?
Officially a para-gliding and hang-gliding event, the Icarus Cup attracts enthusiasts of all forms of man-powered flight – from hot-air balloonists to daredevils in actual wing suits. This year, the festival takes place from September 16-19th, with an exciting program including free flight competitions, an air sports trade fair, film screenings, flight simulators, audacious aerial demonstrations, workshops for youngsters (previous years have included kite and lantern making), and a stunning multiple hot-air balloon takeoff.‘The Masquerade’ is the main event, with around 100 pilots (para- and hang-gliders) dressing up for an airborne fancy-dress contest. The wackier the better, don’t be surprised to see windmills, sausages or Chinese dragons preparing to fly!
The name of the festival originates from the Greek Myth of Icarus, who used wings made from wax and feathers to escape from exile in the island of Crete. An inspiration to the estimated 8,000 pilots who come to Saint-Hillaire every summer, though none hope to relive their hero’s demise!
Practical Info
The nearest city to Sain-Hilaire is Grenoble, a beautiful alpine destination worth sticking around after the festival to explore. Consider booking a flight to Grenoble in early September, when most tourists will have returned for the beginning of the school year.
Hotels in Grenoble range from budget to luxury. The Mercure has two stylish options, Mercure Grenoble Grand Hôtel Président and Mercure Grenoble Centre Alpotel. And for a decent budget choice, check out the Comfort Hotel Residence, which offers rooms with kitchenettes for basic self catering.
Car hire in Grenoble is available if you’re not up to hunting down public transportation to the festival, though the more adventurous may feel like traveling by hot air balloon, or hitching a ride with one of the costumed contestants.
