January 25 - February 2, 2025
The 45th Hot Air Balloon Festival in Château-d'Œx brought together around 50,000 visitors. Over the course of the festival, more than 200 hot air balloon flights took to the skies, accumulating over 300 hours of flight time.
Saturday, January 25 - First day and strong winds
On Saturday, January 25, strong high-altitude winds prevented the balloons from taking full flight. Despite the wind, the sight of countless inflated balloons on the departure field created a vibrant spectacle.
departure field of the 45th Festival International de Ballons with inflated hot air balloons
The mini-balloons could take flight a couple of meters above the ground.
mini balloon "Pays-d'EnHaut Château-d'Œx"
elephant shaped mini balloon
mini balloon in the air
Captive flights were also able to take place.
captive flights at the 45th Festival International de Ballons
captive flight over the snow covered departure field
A novelty this year was the opportunity to venture inside a hot air balloon. This behind-the-scenes access allowed visitors to see the intricate details of the balloon’s design and construction.
dôme de l'envol
inside the inflated hot air balloon
Sunday, February 2nd - A Clear Sky Finale
The final day of the festival, Sunday, February 2, presented perfect meteorological conditions. With the balloons able to take flight, this day offered a beautiful display of color and movement against the clear blue sky.
hot air balloon of the company Ballon Château-d'Œx being inflated
Ballon Château-d'Œx after its departure at the 45th Festival International de Ballons
Photo Gallery
After lots of rain at the beginning of the week, only the departure field was still covered in snow on the final day.
snow covered departure field in Château-d'Œx
Château-d'Œx and the alps as seen from the hot air balloon
View over the alps during the hot air balloon flight
Captive flights
Owl-faced balloon used for captive flights
Closeup of the Owl-faced hot air balloon
Ballons Château-d'Œx is a local hot air balloon company with a variety of balloons ranging from 4 passengers up to 16 passengers.
inside of a balloon from Ballons Château-d'Œx
Ballons Château-d'Œx during departure preparations
Ballons Château-d'Œx - almost ready to fly
Ballons du Léman, founded in 2011, was also, once again part of the festival.
Ballons du Léman with Alps in the background
Ballons du Léman
different shaped balloons in the blue sky during the 45th Festival International de Ballons
"Up" (Cameron Balloons) is a special shape balloon with over 500 colorful add-on mini balloons !
Cameron Balloons - special shape "Up"
man walking inside the Cameron Balloons - special shape "Up"
Cameron Balloons - special shape "Up" in front of the Alps
Cameron Balloons - special shape "Up" in the sky
Cameron Balloons - special shape "Up" above the mountains
Other balloons
balloon G-CKVI
balloon G-CKVI
Pierre-André Vonlanthen - HB-QXV
John Armstrong - G-HPPM high above the mountains
Pierre-André Vonlanthen - HB-QXV above the snow covered mountains
balloons and clouds over the Léman in the distance
airship "Valais" flying in the blue sky
You may also like