Local Flying :: Roquebrune Mont-Gros

:: Introduction

This is a very spectacular place to fly, as you launch from a carpeted take-off and fly down over the rooftops and swimming pools of Monaco, to land on the beach, perhaps being watched from the beach-side café by one of the many rich & famous whose home this is. You can fly out and arrive over the sea with a few hundred metres to go to the beach, which has made this a popular destination for glider testing, SIV and acro practise.

It is best flown in light winds (up to 20kph) from a southerly through to westerly direction.

You must have proof of qualifications and insurance to fly here, and it is forbidden to over-fly the Prince’s residence.

:: Safety Note

The beach landing can be turbulent in an easterly wind. Do not launch if there are white horses on the sea - it is too windy!

Note:

1. The site is closed for flying from 1st May to 1st October due to the number of tourists on the beach. During the summer, landing on the beach is allowed after 6pm.

2. During hunting season (1st October to 15th November) you can only drive to take-off after 11am.

See the information boards on the summit.

:: Access

Take-off

Leave the A8 at La Turbie, and follow the signs for the Monte Carlo golf club. Turn right at the Monte-Carlo radio antennae. Parking is limited (10 places) and hitching back up for a vehicle difficult. It makes sense to use the navette, which leaves from the car park opposite the station (close to the landing area) between 10am and 4pm.

Beach Landing (from take-off)

• From takeoff, follow the road back down to La Turbie and turn left at the main road.
• Follow this road until the junction where you see the big, dominant hotel. Take a sharp right hand turn back on yourself at this junction.
• Follow this road to the T-junction, where you turn left.
• Follow this road, and go straight across at the first set of traffic lights, crossing the main road, into a smaller road opposite.
• Follow this road round the valley. At the other side, take the right-hand turn that is signposted for the railway station.
• Drive down this road to the bridge over the railway. The road then goes left to the station - park around here, and take the steps on the right-hand side down to the beach.

:: Maps

• IGN Serie Vert 1:100 000 map 61, “Nice Barcelonnette”
• Michelin Carte Routière et Touristique, 1 :200 000 map 245, ” Provence Cote d’Azur “.
• IGN ” Top 25 ” (1 :25 000) map 3742 ET.

:: Take-offs and Landings

Take-offs

Landings

:: Useful Numbers

:: XC Routes

• The site record is 42km to La Colmiane. This was set in 1995 by Dominique Picoulet and Maxime Peregrini.

:: Other Activities

• There is no shortage of things to do in Monaco - exotic gardens, the casino, museums, people-watching from a beach café etc. More information can be found at www.visitmonaco.com.