AviaSim Bordeaux: Airbus A320 Flight Simulator in the Chartrons District

Flight Simulator Bordeaux — Airbus A320 at AviaSim, Hôtel Mercure Château Chartrons

Bordeaux has long been one of France’s most celebrated cities — known worldwide for its wine, its 18th-century architecture, and its position as the gateway to the Atlantic southwest. Less expected, perhaps, is the chance to step inside a 1:1 scale Airbus A320 cockpit in the heart of the elegant Chartrons district. That’s exactly what AviaSim Bordeaux offers — one of the most original and memorable experiences in a city not short of them.

Part of France’s number one flight simulator network with 15 centres nationwide and over 80,000 pilots welcomed since 2012, AviaSim Bordeaux is located inside the Hôtel Mercure Bordeaux Château Chartrons on Cours Saint-Louis, close to the Garonne riverfront and the antique dealers and wine merchants that give the Chartrons its distinctive character. Sessions are open to all ages from approximately 10 years, no prior experience required, and every flight is led from start to finish by a professional pilot instructor.

The Airbus A320 Simulator

The A320 is the aircraft that transformed European short-haul aviation when it entered service in 1988 — the world’s first fly-by-wire commercial airliner, now the backbone of virtually every major European carrier. At AviaSim Bordeaux, a full 1:1 scale replica of its cockpit puts you at the controls, with authentic fly-by-wire sidestick, throttle quadrant, ECAM displays, autopilot, and all primary flight instruments fully operational.

The 180° photorealistic visual system covers more than 24,000 airports worldwide in high-definition detail. Natural choices for a Bordeaux session include Bordeaux-Mérignac itself, Biarritz, Toulouse-Blagnac, Paris Charles de Gaulle, or the visually spectacular approach into Nice Côte d’Azur — but the choice is entirely yours, made with your instructor at the start of the session. Weather conditions, time of day, and emergency scenarios are all fully configurable.

Up to three guests can join you in the rear seats of the cockpit at no additional charge — making the experience ideal for couples, families, or small groups celebrating a special occasion in the city.

Session Options

Three packages are available at AviaSim Bordeaux:

Découverte Avion de Ligne — the classic 45-minute introductory session for €109, taking you from takeoff to landing on a route of your choice. The most popular package and the one most frequently given as a gift.

Forfait Duo — 60 minutes shared between two pilots for €169. One flies as captain, one as first officer, sharing responsibility for navigation monitoring, radio calls, and control inputs under instructor guidance. A particularly popular choice for couples and parent-child sessions.

Forfait Évasion — the extended 80-minute experience at €199, covering the complete flight from pre-departure checks through cruise, descent, approach, and landing, with time for advanced manoeuvres and a second approach.

All sessions are available as gift vouchers — a digital boarding pass sent instantly by email, valid for 12 months, with no name, date, or price printed. The recipient books their own slot online at their convenience.

Fear of Flying Programme

AviaSim Bordeaux also runs a dedicated Stage Peur en Avion — a structured 6-hour individual programme at the controls of the A320 simulator, working through every phase of commercial flight with a professional instructor explaining in real time what each sensation, sound, and movement means from the cockpit perspective. With Bordeaux-Mérignac serving as a major hub for Transavia, Vueling, easyJet, and Air France routes across Europe, this programme is particularly relevant for the many Bordelais who fly regularly and find the experience persistently stressful. The programme has a 97% success rate over more than 10 years.

Plan Your Visit

AviaSim Bordeaux is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, inside the Hôtel Mercure Bordeaux Château Chartrons at 81 Cours Saint-Louis, 33000 Bordeaux. The centre is easily accessible by tram — lines B and C serve the Chartrons area — and by car from the Bordeaux ring road. Book online at aviasim.fr or call +33 5 54 48 21 80. For weekday slots, book at least 10 days ahead. For weekends, one month’s notice is recommended.