Unspecified/General

Tethered to the ground by a cable in the Parc Andre Citroen, the Ballon de Paris is a giant helium balloon that lifts passengers high above the southwest of the city for a panoramic view stretching across the rooftops to the Eiffel Tower and beyond. Unlike a hot-air balloon, it does not drift away but rises and descends on its cable from a fixed point in the park, carrying groups of visitors in a circular basket to a height of around one hundred and fifty metres. The balloon dates in its present form from the late 1990s and has become a familiar sight on the Paris skyline, but it has also taken on a serious scientific role: fitted with sensors, it measures air quality and pollution at different altitudes, and its envelope changes colour to give Parisians a visible daily indication of how clean or polluted the air is. A ride lasts only a few minutes at the top, but the slow, gentle ascent and the unobstructed three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view make it a memorable experience, especially on a clear day or towards sunset. Because flights depend on the weather and the wind, the balloon does not operate in strong gusts, so it is worth checking before setting out. Its location in the modern, geometric Parc Andre Citroen, itself worth a visit for its gardens and fountains, places it a little off the usual tourist trail in the fifteenth arrondissement. People come for the thrill of the height, for the views over a part of the city not always seen from above, and for the novelty of an attraction that doubles as an environmental monitoring station. Families, couples and visitors of most ages enjoy it, and it offers a quieter, more unusual alternative to the city's towers and observation decks. Tickets are bought on site, and because flights are weather-dependent it is wise to check that the balloon is operating before making a special trip, especially on windy days. The Parc Andre Citroen around it, with its lawns, glasshouses and playful fountains, is a pleasant place to linger before or after a flight, making the balloon an easy and rewarding addition to an afternoon in this quieter corner of the city.

Type: Activity

Address: Parc Andre Citroen, Paris, France

Website: https://www.ballondeparis.com