Known for its towering monuments, romantic culture, and luxurious cuisine, Paris is certainly one of the crown jewels of Europe. When visiting Paris, of course, you’ll want to see as much as possible. The Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and (of course) the Eiffel Tower are Parisian landmarks at the top of the list.
It may not be a massive city, but it’s still relatively hard to cover all of Paris in a single trip.
But what if there was another way to see every part of the city, without even having to put on your walking shoes?
A few days ago I took a helicopter tour of Paris, and it was one of the most magical things I’ve ever done! Getting to see the entire city from above, along with all of the surroundings was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’m never going to forget.
After my experience, I’m convinced that taking a helicopter tour is one of the best ways to see a new city, and if you’re headed to Paris anytime in the future, you can take one too! Check out my time up in the air, some photos from the flight, and ways to get started booking your own helicopter tour.
At the very end of this adventure review, I will dish out my Adventure Seeker verdict and if I think this activity is worth doing.
View Contents
Why Go on a Helicopter Tour of Paris with Helipass
Think about the feeling you get in an airplane when approaching your final destination. The plane descends and you catch a first glimpse of the sprawling land below you. I don’t know if it’s just me but I get the jitters for all that’s to come.
Now imagine that sight being more than just a glimpse. You see the towers below you, the city houses and football fields. Cars look like ants and you can picture people strolling the streets under your feet. But it’s more than just for a moment — it’s for an extended period of time!
Flying over Paris in a helicopter does more than just give you an aerial view of the city. It gives you an intimate look at the way the city is set up, the tremendous monuments that have risen great fame, and the places that are a little more far flung that you’d never think to visit on a trip to France.
✨The 1 Thing We Never Leave Home Without…✨
Coming from someone who has been traveling the world for the last 8 years AND has been in the hospital 2x, travel insurance is something everyone NEEDS to get. Get a quote below!
My Experience: Touring Paris in Style
Getting Ready for the Helicopter Tour
On the day of my helicopter tour, I was more than excited. My time slot wasn’t until 6:15pm (you can choose from different flight times throughout the day) so my anticipation had really built up by the time I arrived at the Helipass building.
The meeting point was just outside of Paris, and was easy enough to get to by car. There are also nearby metro stations and options like Uber or bike rentals if you don’t have your own vehicle during your visit.
When I arrived, I entered the Helipass office and was immediately in a hangar with different helicopters and a gallery-like set-up displaying information about helicopters, flights and different experiences to be had. We had to arrive 30 minutes early to have our passports scanned, according to federal requirements, so we took care of business right away. Then we were invited to walk around the space and ask questions.
After waiting around for a little bit, Tadeo, the guy running the show, gathered everyone who was going to be on the flight (there were six of us in total) and informed us of what was going to happen when the helicopter arrived.
Helicopter Flight Over Paris
When the helicopter finally landed and it was our turn to board, we entered it according to Tadeo’s instructions, strapped into our seats comfortably, put on our headsets, and were off!
Since the tour took off from outside of Paris, we couldn’t see much of the city at first, but soon the pilot started directing our attention to our surroundings. I was completely at ease as we flew through the air as the pilot was cheerfully chatting away about what was just below us.
It was a really awesome chance to see all the beauty of Paris, as well as several areas I wouldn’t think to visit on my own. Being above the city allowed us to see things like the famous Parc des Princes Stadium (home to PSG, the football team of Paris), as well as the business district of the city, filled with buildings along the skyline.
A highlight was definitely flying over the ever-lavish Palace of Versailles, with its massive gardens and canals that surround the castle grounds. Seeing it from above was especially magnificent because it’s nearly impossible to get a feel of it just walking around since the place is so big.
After flying for about 15 minutes, we landed in a giant grass field for the mid-flight break.
When we landed, the pilot invited us to take as many pictures as we wanted. We were allowed to sit in the cockpit, pose in the doors and take photos outside with the entire copter.
It was a nice opportunity because there wasn’t really a chance to take photos at the start of the flight, but we sure got our fill on this break. The pilot was particularly helpful with photos because he knew all the good angles and the light was especially good as it was the last flight of the day. Did someone say #insta?
After some pictures, we went to a little building on the side of the runway for a juice break. I was a little disappointed that we had to spend almost an hour inside instead of roaming around to flying over the city, but I knew we’d be back in the sky in the blink of an eye.
We finished up the break, and on the flight back, we got the best view possible. There we had the sun-kissed buildings of Paris, the incredible River Seine, of course, the Eiffel Tower, which stood tall the entire time we flew back to our starting point.
Adventure Seeker Tip #1: If you want the ideal vantage point on your flight, try to sit in the cockpit! The helicopter is set up so there are five seats in the back and one in the front. I was in the back on the way up and swapped seats on the return journey and got some crazy pictures and insane views!
The pilot explained to me that because of federal regulations, no aircraft is allowed to fly directly over Paris, which is why we had to stay on the outskirts. Despite this restriction, I felt like we got close enough for me to understand why people say this city is so magical.
After landing, we were greeted again by Tadeo, who gave us certificates and thanked us for coming. The entire experience lasted a little more than an hour and a half, with 25 minutes of total flight time.
I stayed around to ask the pilot a few more questions, and he even offered a few more photos if I liked!
Paris Helicopter Tour Review
Overall, the helicopter tour of Paris was a great experience that I would recommend to anyone.
There was certainly a WOW factor as we got to see all of the highlights of Paris from above, which was marvelous. I felt like the whole time we were flying, my jaw was hanging open from the incredible view I had.
In terms of the price, it’s certainly steep, especially for only 25 minutes of flight time but that said, you are flying around in a helicopter. This tour is on the luxurious side, but why not splurge a little bit if you can? You are on vacation after all!
This activity is good for anyone, of any age. In fact, there was even a little boy on my flight with his parents, so no matter if you’re young or old, this is certainly something you’ll enjoy.
It may put you a little bit out of your comfort zone if you don’t like heights, but the adrenaline rush is worth it, especially knowing that you’re completely safe the entire time. Everyone at Helipass was super accommodating and instructions were clear. All we had to do was simply sit back, relax and enjoy.
The tour itself was incredible, as were the staff and pilot who made it possible. I would highly recommend it, that’s for sure!
Looking for a unique thing to do in Paris? Check out our Helicopter Ride in Paris review. Getting to see Paris from above is not something that I’ll forget and the informative staff and pilot made it beyond a worthwhile experience. If you’re visiting the city, have a bit of money to spend, and are looking for a fun way to enjoy a few hours, booking a helicopter tour should be a top choice! Definitely worth the splurge.
Booking a Paris Helicopter Tour: What You Need to Know
Booking a helicopter tour of Paris is a super simple process.
My biggest tip is to book in advance! This is quite a popular activity, so spots tend to fill up quickly. Book ahead of time to ensure you have a spot on a chopper for the dates that you’ll be visiting Paris!
I booked this tour through Adrenaline Hunter, a platform which lists adventure activities all over the world. Think Airbnb for adventures! The booking process was easy enough and was very well coordinated.
The company who operates the tour itself, Helipass, runs helicopter tours over Paris, as well as in other popular destinations in the world, too. They specialize in sightseeing and provide top-of-the-line equipment and service to create a unique and memorable experience. You can even “rent” a helicopter or jet on demand through their online platform, and they boast a 90% satisfaction rate among their clients!
Besides Paris, you can fly over places like New York, Lisbon, Dubai, London and more with Helipass! Being such a reputable company, you should have an awesome time no matter which location you choose.
For this particular experience in Paris, you can check out dates, time tables and rates here, or by clicking the button below.
Your booking includes your spot on the helicopter, a complete guided tour by the pilot, a beverage during the midway stop, and a certificate that affirms completion of the flight. In terms of the flight I took, there weren’t different packages offered, but I was pretty satisfied with what came with the booking.
Adventure Seeker Tip #2: Choose a time slot that’s either early in the morning or the last flight of the day. The light is best during both of these times, and there’s truly nothing like flying over Paris during golden hour!
For the tour, it’s important to remember to bring a photo ID with you, as the staff needs to scan it before you get on the helicopter. You should also remember to pack your camera because the photo ops on this adventure are unbelievable!
The cost of the helicopter tour is €229 per person, which isn’t too unreasonable if you think about what you get to do. But you should also note that there’s a registration fee of €24.50 per person when you book.
Seriously, a helicopter tour is really something worth doing if you’re planning on visiting Paris. You’ll have a unique look at the city and an unforgettable experience.
I’ll remember that day for the rest of my life, and am so grateful to have been able to see the Eiffel Tower while soaring through the air as the sun set. Freaking magical!