Hot Air Balloon Rides in Paris
If you have ever thought about something completely different for all the family to enjoy while on holiday in Paris, then how about being able to go up in the largest tethered hot air balloon in the world and see the capital city of France differently.
About the Ballon de Paris hot air balloon rides
The hot air balloon has been located within the Parc Andre Citroen since 1999 and has now had over half a million people enjoy the fabulous views over the city of Paris, and is the largest tethered hot air balloon in the world.
When you decide to go up in the hot air balloon in Paris you will not only be riding in the largest air balloon in the world that can be seen from several kilometres around, during the ride you will reach a height of 150 metres above sea level for the most amazing views over the capital city.
Quite amazingly, the balloon even changes colour, as since 2008 Ballon de Paris has been one of the places that measures the quality of air in Paris, which is enhanced by specific light that shows different colours depending upon how polluted the air is at a specific time and day.
Also, because it is powered by an electric winch, it is the least polluting aircraft and measuring 35 metres in height by 22.5 metres in diameter, it can carry approximately 30 passengers on a trip, although as you can no doubt appreciate, the weather does play a role as to whether it is operational.
Visiting Ballon de Paris hot air balloon rides
You will find Ballon de Paris situated in the Parc Andre Citroen within the 15th Arrondissement within the large park that was once home to the Citroen car manufacturing facility, which is located close to the River Seine.
The Ballon de Paris hot air balloon rides start at 9am daily and run up until half hour before the Parc Andre Citroen closes, and as for the costs, in 2018 it was a cost of €12 for adults and €6 for children aged between 3 and 11, with children under three being free of charge, but any child must be accompanied by a fare paying adult.
Children under the age of 12 who are a resident Parisian can also enjoy a ride in the hot air balloon for free provided that proof of age and residency are provided and they are accompanied by a paying adult.
Also, during peak times such as weekends and national holidays there is always more of a queue, and as we mentioned earlier, it depends upon reasonable weather conditions for the rides to take place, so with this in mind, it is advisable to check with them first, prior to arriving and being disappointed.
With this in mind, Ballon de Paris is often not operational during the winter months, and as of 2018, they were estimating that this experience would not start again until approximately mid March due to weather conditions, so again, it is advisable to contact them prior.
When it comes to getting to this unusual and unique experience via public transport in Paris, you will find that the one particular Metro station is the Javel - Andre Citroen stop serving line 10, yet close to this is the Javel RER train station serving line C.
Although in the opposite direction of the park you have the Gare Pont du Garigliano - Hopital Europeen Georges Pompidou train station also serving the RER C Line. Yet to the east of Ballon de Paris there is the Metro station called the Lourmel stop and to the south you have the Balard stop, both serving teh Metro Line 8.
However, the Bus Lines 42, 88 and 169 along with the Noctilien Night Bus Service via Line N145 will also all get you close to the Parc Andre Citroen and the Ballon de Paris attraction, as will the Tramway via Line T3a.
Although, on the opposite bank of the River Seine, yet still within walking distance, you also have the bus lines 22 and 72 along with the Noctilien N12 and N61 by going over the Pont du Garigliano.
