If it flies, you'll find it at Saint-Hilaire du Touvet's Coupe d'Icare. Hang-gliders and paragliders soar skywards, intrepid free-fallers in wing-suits plummet earthwards from helicopters, multicoloured kites dip and sway, and hot-air balloons rise gracefully into the early-morning air.

According to Greek myth, Icarus used wings constructed by his father from feathers and wax to fly from his island prison on Crete. Every summer, 8000 modern-day aviators relive his dream of flight, launching themselves into the crystal mountain air from the breathtaking Plateau des Petites Roches to glide gracefully down to Lumbin, 600 metres below.

The packed schedule is based around stunt-flying displays and aerial demonstrations, but the theme of air, wind and flight encompasses everything from a flight-related film festival to a night-launch of thousands of illuminated miniature balloons and flight-related activities for kids. The highlight is the Masquerade Contest, with prizes for the most "innovative and poetic" flying invention. Dragons, flying cars and giant footballs drift or plummet, to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd. 

Amateur pilots who obey the event's strict safety rules can even try their luck from the plateau on Thursday and Friday before the professionals take over. Bring your own wings...