The Generali Balloon of Paris is the world’s first “Climate Lab Balloon”: a flying laboratory dedicated to climate and air quality, and a visible tool for raising awareness.
Thanks to its scientific partners (CNRS, Copernicus, Météo-France, ICOS, Airparif, etc.) and the support of the insurance company Generali, this model can now be rolled out in any city that wants to make climate change a visible and shared priority.
THE LESS POLLUTING AIRCRAFT IN THE WORLD
The Great Tethered Balloon being inflated with helium and operating with an electric winch, it consumes no more than a lift. It does not make any noise and the instruments installed on board are also powered by solar panels.
A TOOL FOR CLIMATE RESEARCH AND AWARENESS
Since 2024, as part of the European ICOS-Cities project, the LSCE (Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Sciences) has been measuring key greenhouse gases in Paris (CO2, CH4, NOx, H2O, black carbon) using an instrument package installed on the Balloon.
Since 2025, the balloon has been a partner of the ECMWF, which manages the Atmosphere and Climate programs under Copernicus, the European Earth Observation Program. And since 2026, Météo France, the French weather agency, has also joined the balloon’s partners.
As a result, three indicators of global warming are now displayed on the balloon’s envelope via giant LED screens:
AN AIR QUALITY AWARENESS SYSTEM
Using data from Airparif, the association responsible for monitoring air quality in the Paris region, the balloon indicates to the Parisians the state of the air they breathe in real time on its envelope, thanks to 6,400 LED bulbs. By changing color, they indicate the level of pollution, based on the ATMO reference index (source: AirParif).
A REAL FLYING LABORATORY
Partner of the CNRS since 2013, the “Ballon de Paris Generali” continuously measures the air quality from 0 to 300 meters above sea level using three devices installed on board of its gondola. Since 2024, it has also been measuring greenhouse gases.
The LISA laboratory of the CNRS is carrying out numerous balloon experiments. In particular, he installed this device which continuously measures ozone and enables it to achieve unprecedented results.
The LOAC, a unique instrument of its kind developed by the LPC2E laboratory of the CNRS, is equipped with a pump which sucks the air and a laser which projects the Particulate Matters thus collected, in order to count them and to better understand their typology.
In March 2024, as part of the European ICOS-Cities (Integrated Carbon Observation System) project, a unique device for measuring the main greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, H2O) was installed on board the Ballon de Paris Generali.
Pollens are also measured, and information is disseminated to the public via the Live Pollen application.
AN AIR PURIFICATION TOOL
Patented technology : the “Ballon de Paris Generali” cleans naturally by itself as many fine particles as a ground area of 100 hectares with no wind. With wind, the equivalent surface is at least 2.5 hectares. It is the first large-scale air pollution control system without the consumption of external energy!
A SELF-CLEANING AND DEPOLLUTING ENVELOPE
Thanks to a technology specially developed over the last, the tethered balloon envelope is not only self-cleaning but also neutralizes the equivalent of eight average daily trips by car between Paris and its suburbs, thanks to the effect of a photocatalytic stain.
A MODEL TO FOLLOW
The “Ballon de Paris Generali” is not the only one to have this air quality system. Very polluted, the city of Krakow also wanted to equip itself with a balloon with the same properties. The first in a long series to come. Join the movement!
Video
Our advantages:
Eco-responsible design and operation
Inflated with helium and powered by an electric winch, the balloon uses no more energy than a lift. It is silent and does not reject any pollutants.
Accessibility
The balloon is accessible to people in wheelchairs.
Bright at night
The Great Tethered Balloon can be fitted with internal lighting, so it can be seen by all, even after dark.
A customizable envelope
Use the balloon wrap to show off your brand. Aerophile allows the addition of customizable banners on all balloons.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Balloon
- Total height of the balloon: 34 meters (111 feet)
- Envelope’s diamater: 22.50 meters (72 feet)
- Envelope’s volume: 6,200 m³ (200,000 cubic feet)
- Nominal lifting: 4,800 kg (10,560 lbs)
- Helium loss: less than 70 m³ per month (2,470 cubic feet/month)
- Useful pressure in the envelope: up to 900 Pa
Gondola
- Made of composite materials and aluminium
- Exterior diameter: 5.80 meters (19 feet)
- Floor area: 13 m² (140 square feet)
- Weight: 850 kg (1,870 lbs)
Cable
- Diameter: 22 mm (approx. 0,9 inch)
- Resistance to breaking: 45 tons (99,000 lbs)
- Useful length: up to 300 meters (984 feet)
Remote winch house
- Dimensions: 4m x 2.2m x 1.5m high (13,1 feet x 7,2 feet x 5 feet height)
- Weight: 6 tons (13,200 lbs)
- Power: 45 kw
- Speed ascent: approximately 50m / min (164 feet/min)
- Speed descent: approximately 40m / min (131 feet/min)
Transport / Delivery
- To anywhere in the world in two standard 40-foot containers
Standard installation
or platform
- Clear circular area, 48 to 60 meters in diameter 45° aeronautical cone left free of obstacles
