Historical & technical | The birth of the hot air balloon


The birth of the hot air balloon



June 4, 1783 :
Joseph Montgolfier (1740 to 1810) and his brother Etienne (1745 to 1799) proceeded at Annonay (ArdÀche) to the first public demonstration of an aerostat with hot air, which passed over 1000 m in altitude and covered 2 km.

September 19, 1783 :
Flight at Versailles by a 1 000m3 hot air balloon climbing to 500m in altitude and covering 3.5 km carrying a sheep, a duck and a rooster.

November 21, 1783 :
Pilâtre de Rozier (1754-1785) and the Marquis of Arlandes (1742 1809) lifted off from the park of the castle of La Muette aboard a 2200m3 balloon.

They flew over Paris and landed at La Butte aux Cailles, a distance of approximately 10km.

They are considered the first air travellers of the world.


  • More pictures
Votre navigateur ne supporte pas le plugin flash