The Montgolfière as we know it today was invented in the 18th century, by two French people from Annonay in Ardèche: the now famous brothers Montgolfier . />
They marked the very beginning of Air activity for human beings.
These hot air balloons continue to fly today, and allow many people to relive the first flight of a human being within the Earth's atmosphere.

Large gathering of Albuquerque USA


History reveals to us that the human being has always wanted to fly. It is only from the Invention of the Montgolfière that the man was able to realize this dream.

The Montgolfier brothers , Joseph and Etienne, born respectively in 1740 and 1745, are two of the thirteen sons of Pierre Montgolfier. For many years, they worked in a stationery bequeathed by their father around 1772. They are the invention of the first paper machine, and stationery is today a museum that you can visit.

The scientific advance of the time, and in particular the discovery of hydrogen, of its flammability as well as studies on its density, interests brothers Montgolfier . Today, a hot air balloon is most often operated on propane , unlike the airships that work with hydrogen.

Joseph discovered the power of hot air in a fireplace and with a shirt that he would have liked to "warm up" before putting it on. The fantastic side of the experience attracts and almost obsesses the Montgolfier brothers, who will eventually build the first hot air balloon with paper, and without traveler.

This first official flight took place on June 4, 1783 in Annonay.

The magic of a ball in ball


The first inhabited flight , however, took place a few months later, before King Louis XVI. On board, he was not a man, but a duck, a sheep and a rooster, before winning 3 men in October of the same year.

How does it work?

The hot air balloon is made up of:
  • An envelope : The hot air being lighter than the cold air, a balloon is inflated with hot air to make it peel off. The envelope helps imprison hot air. Its volume varies depending on the size of the nacelle and the weight to be lifted.
Indeed, for 1 cubic meter of air heated to 100ºC, there can be approximately 250 ranges. The volume of the envelope can therefore vary between 600 and 7,000 cubic meters.

  • A nacelle : The nacelle takes the crew as well as the propane dose necessary for the duration of the flight.
The nacelle is built of wicker. Many tests of materials have been tested to maximize passenger comfort. It turns out, however, that the wicker is the most flexible and robust equipment, and that it limits shocks at the time of landing.

  • A burner : The role of the burner is obvious: it is he who allows the air to be heated by causing a flame in the mouth of the envelope.
If you want to go somewhere, the hot air balloon is probably not for you. Indeed, she does not head and lets herself be carried by the winds.

Festival de Montgolfières

A aerostier confirmed will however be able to manage the altitude of this by playing with the burner , and take advantage of the air currents to influence the guidance of the hot air balloon.

The hot air balloon , in charge of its history, still flies today. Montgolfi clubs exist everywhere in France and in the world.

If you decide to embark on the adventure, know that in addition to reliving the sensations of the first men to have taken off, you will discover an exceptional and poetic activity in the sky.

You take off from a land cleared at a time when the weather conditions are the most favorable: in the morning or in the evening, when the wind is low and the visibility is good.

Then it's up to you to enjoy the show. Your senses on the alert, you will discover unforgettable emotions and sensations. More than a trip to the air, it is a time trip that you start thanks to this magnificent aerostat which marked the beginning of the history of aviation.

Get started in a baptism of hot air balloon at the heart of the most Beautiful regions of France! And share your sensations with us in our forum dedicated to hot air balloon.
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