An ecological attraction in the heart of Paris
Breathtaking view of Paris
The Generali Balloon of Paris is a tourist attraction that carries up to 30 passengers per flight. It offers a breathtaking view of Paris and its monuments, at an altitude of 150 meters.
It is located on the banks of the Seine, in the heart of the Parc André Citroën (15ème), since its launch in 1999 in partnership with the city of Paris to mark the year 2000 festivities.
A true Parisian landmark, it offers a 360° view of the capital. It is the 3rd highest point in Paris, after the Eiffel and Montparnasse Tower.
It’s also the “lighter than air” that has flown the most passengers in the world, with over 1.5 million passengers to date!
The world’s least polluting aircraft
From the outset, the balloon has been more than just a tourist attraction: it’s the world’s least polluting aircraft! Connected to the ground by a cable and inflated with 6,200 m3 of helium, it is the only electric aircraft approved for use by the general public. It produces no emissions into the atmosphere, and is totally silent.
Designed and manufactured in France by Aerophile, world leader in great tethered balloons, … just like its “little brother”, the famous Tuileries cauldron balloon at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Webcam
The Generali Balloon of Paris in real time
A real flying laboratory
In addition to offering a magical flying experience over Paris, the balloon has a scientific and civic dimension: since 2008, it has been indicating the quality of Parisian air. In 2013, it became a veritable flying laboratory, measuring atmospheric pollution from 0 to 300 m altitude using various on-board measuring instruments, in partnership with the CNRS. In 2024, it will extend its measurements to greenhouse gases, indicators of global warming, as part of the ICOS Cities project.
Today, the Generali Balloon of Paris has a reinforced mission to raise awareness of climate change and act as a flying laboratory, working in partnership with the Climate and Atmosphere services of Copernicus, the European Earth observation program.
Taller than a 10-storey building
The Generali Balloon of Paris is the world’s largest tethered balloon! Its dimensions are impressive: 34m high and 22.5m in diameter!
It takes passengers up to 150m in altitude, and can even raise to 300m for scientific flights.
In flight, it can be seen from a 20km radius, and is seen daily by 400,000 people.
A “made in France” attraction
The Generali Balloon of Paris was designed and manufactured in France by Aerophile, the world leader in great tethered balloons… just like its “little brother”, the magnificent cauldron balloon in the Tuileries at the Paris 2024 Olympics, created by the same designers.
Other similar balloons exist on four continents (Disneyland Paris, Disneyworld USA, Berlin, Seville, San Diego, Seoul, Dubai…).
A carefully recycled gas
When the balloon was deflated in January 2025, to renew its envelope, the 6,200 m3 of helium it contained were sucked out and recycled.
This innovative helium re-pumping operation lasted three days (24 hours a day).
This process for managing a precious resource had already been implemented during the deflation of the Tuileries cauldron balloon during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
How does it work?
The balloon rises naturally and silently, thanks to helium, a lighter-than-air gas (neutral, non-polluting, non-igniting, non-exploding) that pulls it skyward. It descends to the ground thanks to the cable and its electric winch, which consumes no more energy than an elevator.
Thanks to Archimedes’ principle, one cubic metre of helium can lift 1kg, so 6,200 cubic metres lift 6 tonnes. The Generali Balloon of Paris, with its basket, envelope and net, weighs around 2 tonnes.
This means the balloon can carry up to 30 passengers (approx. 2.5 tonnes), making it the world’s largest tethered balloon, while retaining 1.5 tonnes of lift in the cable to counter the force of the wind. The more wind, the fewer passengers. Ultra-strong, its metal cable can withstand up to 44 tonnes of traction.
The Generali Balloon of Paris, a part of history
In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers made the first human flight over Paris at an altitude of 1,000 meters. The beginning of more than two centuries of “lighter than air” history.
One-way ticket
Fly over Paris in the world’s largest balloon at an altitude of 150 metres and discover the capital as you’ve never seen it before!
Combined offer
Generali Balloon of Paris & Bateaux Mouches
Seine River Cruise
Explore the city of Paris from a unique perspective! Start your visit by soaring 150 meters above the city aboard the Generali Balloon of Paris, offering breathtaking 360° panorama. Follow this with a cruise on the Seine aboard the Bateaux Mouches, where you can admire and discover historic monuments such as the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral and the renowned Musée d’Orsay. Take advantage of a 10% discount on this unforgettable experience!