C‑DRONE
Cinema drone with stabilized camera gimbal flying at low altitude

🎬 AERIAL VIDEO · ARLES (13) · €500–1,800 PER HALF-DAY

Drone aerial video in Arles

Drone aerial video gives your films a cinematic dimension: smooth tracking shots over a site, vertical reveal moves, orbits around a building, dynamic chase shots. Our aircraft shoot in 4K or even 5.1K in 10-bit (D-Log), with precisely controlled moves thanks to three-axis stabilisation and programmed flight modes. The footage cuts seamlessly into corporate, advertising or documentary productions.

A typical assignment includes scouting, a flight plan written around your storyboard, half a day or a full day of filming, then colour grading and delivery of the rushes or a broadcast-ready short edit. We regularly work alongside ground film crews and provide the insurance certificates and permits that productions require.

Free quote — aerial video in Arles

Rates

€500–1,800 per half-day — the range observed on the 2026 French market, including regulatory preparation, flight and delivery. The exact quote depends on the site, the deliverable and the airspace context in Arles.

Common use cases

The local context in Arles

Arles piles up superlatives: mainland France's largest commune (758 km²), a UNESCO-listed Roman and Romanesque ensemble (arena, ancient theatre, Saint-Trophime cloister), Van Gogh's legacy, the Rencontres photography festival and the Frank Gehry-designed Luma tower. To the south stretches the Camargue: a regional natural park and national nature reserve where low-altitude flight is strictly controlled to protect flamingos and birdlife — drones are effectively banned there without authorisation. To the east, the military zones of Istres-Le Tubé air base set their own limits.

The Arles economy lives on culture and tourism, agriculture (Camargue rice, Crau hay) and a river port on the Rhône. Drone demand: heritage documentation (with monument authorisations), rice farming, monitoring of the Rhône dykes — a major issue since the 2003 floods — and audiovisual productions.

Applicable regulations

Aerial filming follows the same rules as photography: open category A1/A2/A3 for most flights in clear areas, height capped at 120 m, operator registered on AlphaTango and systematic checking of the Géoportail drone map. In built-up areas or near uninvolved people, shoots move to the specific category (European standard scenario STS-01, the French national scenarios S-1/S-3 having ended on 31 December 2025) with prior declaration to the préfecture for flights over populated areas. Productions also require dedicated aerial liability insurance and, for certain listed sites or military zones, specific agreements. Flying over gatherings of people remains prohibited without exceptional authorisation.

Frequently asked questions

Do you deliver raw rushes or an edited film?

Both options are available: delivery of gradable 4K Log rushes for your editor, or a turnkey 60–90 second edit with royalty-free music. The quote specifies the chosen option.

Can you film indoors (factory, warehouse, venue)?

Yes: indoor flights are outside the scope of aviation regulations. We use light, protected drones (cages or ducted propellers) to fly safely inside buildings.

How long does it take to obtain filming permits?

In open areas, no lead time: the flight can happen within days. In built-up areas, allow at least 10 working days for the prefectural declaration, and up to 4 weeks for sensitive sites.

Can this service be flown anywhere in Arles?

Almost: Réserve naturelle nationale de Camargue (survol réglementé, drones proscrits sans autorisation); Zones militaires de la base aérienne d'Istres-Le Tubé à l'est; Centre ancien UNESCO très fréquenté. Depending on the exact location, the pilot picks the right framework (open or specific category) and files the required declarations — included in the quote.

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