Coupe Icare
The world's largest free flight event
About Coupe Icare
Created in 1974 in Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet in Isère, the Coupe Icare is the world's largest free flight event. Every year in September, nearly 100,000 spectators gather between the Plateau des Petites Roches and Lumbin to attend the Icarnaval, the world's largest costume flying competition, and aerial demonstrations of paragliding, hang gliding, paramotoring, and wingsuiting. The festival also features a professional trade show, an international aerial film festival, concerts, and family entertainment.
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The Coupe Icare: Where Free Flight Meets Celebration
Born in May 1974 on the slopes of the Dent de Crolles with only three wings, the Coupe Icare has become over half a century the world's largest event dedicated to free flight and ultralight aerial sports. Organized every September between the Plateau des Petites Roches in Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet and the landing area in Lumbin, 700 meters lower in the Grésivaudan valley, it attracts nearly 100,000 spectators, 10,000 pilots, and mobilizes over 1,000 volunteers.
The Icarnaval: The Legendary Costume Flying Show
The flagship event of the Coupe Icare is undoubtedly the Icarnaval, the world's largest costume flying competition. Since 1983, paragliding and hang gliding pilots have launched themselves from the top of the plateau in costumes as extravagant as they are inventive: flying bathtubs, smoke-breathing dragons, airborne trash cans, life-size Bayeux tapestries, or little green men. This burlesque and poetic spectacle, combining technical prowess and unbridled humor, has become the emblem of the Coupe Icare and attracts participants from all over the world.
A Multi-Faceted Festival
The Coupe Icare extends far beyond sports competition to offer a rich and varied program:
- Icare Show: Spectacular aerial demonstrations of paragliding, hang gliding, paramotoring, wingsuiting, hot air ballooning, kite flying, and aerobatics by the world's best pilots.
- Icare Expo: The largest free flight trade show, bringing together manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and distributors from around the world to showcase the latest innovations in wings, harnesses, and instruments.
- Icare Test: Equipment testing sessions allowing pilots to test the latest wings and gear on the market in real conditions.
- Icare Cinema: The International Aerial Film Festival, created in 1983, features screenings of films and documentaries on free flight, aerial adventure, and extreme sports.
- Icare Conferences: Meetings and conferences with pilots, adventurers, and professionals from the aviation sector.
- Icare Mômes: An area dedicated to children with workshops, fun activities, and introductory sessions to aerial sports for the younger ones.
- Icare Folies: Street performances, brass bands, concerts, and festive entertainment that transform the plateau and the village into a huge popular celebration.
An Exceptional Site Between Chartreuse and Grésivaudan
The natural setting of the Coupe Icare is breathtaking. The Plateau des Petites Roches, perched at 1,000 meters altitude facing the Belledonne mountain range, offers one of the most beautiful free flight sites in Europe. Pilots take off from the launch ramps on the plateau and glide over the Grésivaudan valley before landing in Lumbin, offering spectators a magnificent aerial show in an exceptional alpine panorama. The historic funicular of Saint-Hilaire, one of the steepest in Europe, connects the valley to the plateau and is itself an iconic attraction of the festival.
A Human Adventure and a Unifying Event
Beyond athletic performance, the Coupe Icare embodies a spirit of conviviality, sharing, and freedom that brings together enthusiasts, families, and the curious in a unique atmosphere. This free and accessible event for all is a true hymn to the dream of flying, faithful to the legend of Icarus whose name it bears.
Coupe Icare — edition 2026
The 53rd edition of the Coupe Icare will take place from September 15 to 20, 2026, in Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet and Lumbin in Isère. The world's largest free flight event will feature its legendary Icarnaval, the costume flying competition, aerial demonstrations, the Icare Expo trade show, the International Aerial Film Festival, and numerous activities for the whole family.
53rd Edition - September 15 to 20, 2026
The 53rd Coupe Icare will take over the Plateau des Petites Roches and the Grésivaudan valley from September 15 to 20, 2026. The world's largest free flight and ultralight aerial sports event promises another spectacular edition between Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet and Lumbin.
Expected Program
Icare Test
The first days will be dedicated to equipment testing sessions, allowing pilots to test the latest innovations in flight wings, harnesses, and instruments in real conditions.
Icare Expo
The free flight trade show will once again bring together the world's leading manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and distributors to showcase their new products and offer new and used equipment.
Icarnaval and Icare Show
The weekend of September 19 and 20 will be dedicated to the legendary costume flying competition and spectacular aerial demonstrations. Pilots from around the world will launch themselves from the plateau in increasingly creative and extravagant costumes, offering a unique show combining athletic performance and humor.
Icare Cinema
The 44th International Aerial Film Festival will feature a selection of films and documentaries on free flight, adventure, and aerial sports, with screenings during the day and in the evening.
Entertainment and Festivities
Concerts, street performances, Icare Mômes activities for children, conferences, and Icare Folies will complete the program of this exceptional week dedicated to the dream of flying.
The full program will be announced in spring 2026 on the festival's official website.
Programme Coupe Icare 2026
Provisional 2026 Program
- September 15-16: Icare Test - Equipment testing sessions
- September 17-20: Icare Expo - Free flight trade show
- September 17-20: Icare Cinema - 44th International Aerial Film Festival
- September 18-20: Icare Conferences - Meetings with pilots and adventurers
- September 18-20: Icare Folies - Street performances, concerts, and entertainment
- September 18-20: Icare Mômes - Children's area and fun workshops
- September 19-20: Icarnaval - Costume flying competition (main event)
- September 19-20: Icare Show - Acrobatic aerial demonstrations
Provisional program subject to change. Consult the official website for definitive information.
Highlights Coupe Icare 2026
To Remember for 2026
- Dates: Tuesday, September 15 to Sunday, September 20, 2026
- 53rd edition of the world's largest free flight event
- Icarnaval: the legendary costume flying competition on September 19-20 weekend
- 44th International Aerial Film Festival
- Icare Expo: Trade show bringing together manufacturers from around the world
- Over 100,000 spectators expected
- Full program to be announced in spring 2026
Prices Coupe Icare 2026
Practical information — Coupe Icare
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By Car: From Grenoble, take the A41 motorway towards Chambéry, exit Le Touvet. From Chambéry, take the A41 towards Grenoble, exit Le Touvet. Warning: during the festival, traffic is regulated with a one-way uphill via RD29 and downhill via RD30. It is recommended to arrive before 9:30 AM on weekends to get the best parking spots.
By Train: Brignoud TER station with a 40% discount for 2 or more passengers. Free for children under 12. Shuttles then connect the station to the festival site.
IcaExpress Shuttles: Special shuttles between Grenoble and Lumbin on weekends (€2 round trip, free for children under 12). Regular and convenient service to avoid traffic jams.
Icarenbus Shuttles: Free shuttles connecting the valley towns (Crolles, Lumbin, La Terrasse) to the Saint-Hilaire site. Orange, Blue, and Pink lines with departures every 15 minutes.
Funicular: The historic funicular of Saint-Hilaire, one of the steepest in Europe, connects Lumbin to the plateau every 25 minutes. Fares: €17.20 round trip adult, €9.70 child; €11.20 one-way adult, €7.20 child.
By Bike: 900 bicycle parking spaces in Lumbin. Marked routes from the Grenoble urban area.
Parking
Seven free park-and-ride lots are available in the valley towns (Crolles, Lumbin, La Terrasse) with shuttles to the festival sites. Five paid parking lots are accessible in Saint-Hilaire on the plateau. Motorhome parking areas are provided in Montfort (Crolles) and at the Saint-Hilaire ski resort parking lot.
Admission Prices
- 1-Day Pass: €11 (free for children under 12)
- 3-Day Pass (Friday-Sunday): €21
- All-Inclusive Pass: €60
- Lumbin Access: free
- Icare Cinema Evenings: €10 to €15
- Tuesday to Thursday: free access to Saint-Hilaire
Accommodation
Several accommodation options are available near the plateau and in the valley: hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, and campsites. It is highly recommended to book well in advance as accommodations are fully booked during the festival. Motorhome pitches are also available.
Food and Drink
Numerous food stalls are set up at the Saint-Hilaire and Lumbin sites, offering local specialties, fast food, and drinks. Cafeterias and snack bars are also accessible throughout the event.
Practical Tips
- Prioritize public transport and shuttles to access the festival.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes (mountainous terrain).
- Bring sun protection, sunglasses, and a warm layer (altitude makes evenings cooler).
- Check the program and schedule on the official website before your visit.
- The festival is accessible to people with reduced mobility with dedicated parking.
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Coupe Icare at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Coupe Icare
Plateau des Petites Roches - Saint-Hilaire / Lumbin
102 Route des Trois Villages, 38660 Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet