Paris Air Show in France
The Paris Air Show is held at the famous Le Bourget airport in Paris once every two years, which is also where you can visit the Musee de l’Air et de l’Espace museum and is the largest exhibition of its kind in the world, which makes it a fantastic place for a day out full of thrills, excitement and fascination.
A bit of history
The official name for the Paris Air Show is the Salon International de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace - Paris Le Bourget, or SIAE for short and it is the oldest and largest exhibition in the world dedicated to the aviation industry.
The very first exhibition was actually held in the heart of Paris at the Grand Palais from September to October 1909 and conducted by Andre Granet and Robert Esnault-Pelterie, the show provided visitors with numerous innovations and was a resounding success that became an annual event.
By 1924, the 9th Paris Air Show saw the arrival of foreign aircraft manufacturers, but from this year, it was decided that the show would be organised every two years.
Then in 1927 Charles Lindbergh landed at Le Bourget airport, which was the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris and from then, Le Bourget became the platform for the most famous aircraft in the world.
Obviously shows at the Grand Palais stopped during World War II, but then continued afterwards and by 1953 it was decided that the Paris Air Show would be moved to the Le Bourget airport, as this was a more appropriate venue.
The show continued every two years and in 1969 the Salon International de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace - Paris Le Bourget saw the arrival of the first supersonic commercial aircraft, the Concorde along with a Boeing 747 jumbo jet.
And through a Franco-German collaboration, the Airbus A300 B was presented to the public for the first time in 1973 and in 1979 the Paris Air Show presented the Ariane rocket and the Mirage 2000.
These shows continued to grow in popularity and by 2005, with the presentation of the Airbus A380, the show beat its record for the number of people that visited over the course of three days.
2009 was the centenary of the Paris Air Show and for this occasion people could witness thirty historic aircraft that represented 100 years of innovation, but of course, things always move forward and there are more and more innovations and prototype aircraft being designed.
So, the 2011 Salon International de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace - Paris Le Bourget saw the arrival of the first ever solar airplane called the Solar Impulse that flew for ten minutes.
About the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in Paris
The Salon International de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace - Paris Le Bourget or Paris Air Show is still held every two years in the June of the odd numbered years and the recent one was the 2017 show.
There are on an average around 150 different aircraft that are present to the visitors during the Paris Air show and some of these are also involved in the daily flight presentations that take place.
And of course, these are the highlight for many, where people can get to see the latest innovations along with the skills of the pilots with dramatic, often surprising and enthralling air displays that will mesmerise everyone.
Not forgetting that there are also the acrobatic aerial displays from the famous French Air Force display team called the Patrouille de France, who display their expertise in some daring and awe inspiring manoeuvres.
These flying displays are held every day and run from approximately 12.30pm through to 4.30pm, although there is a complete schedule drawn up with the times and these are announced by the SIAE a few weeks before the event takes place.
Access to the Paris Air Show
The 2013 Paris Air Show celebrated its 50th event running from 17th June through to the 23rd June, however, the first four days are purely for professionals of the aviation industry, followed by three days that are open to the public, which is the same scenario each time with the 2019 air show being on exactly the same dates.
The Salon International de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace - Paris Le Bourget is open from 8.30am through to 6pm on Friday 21st June through to Sunday 23rd June for the general public.
Obtaining tickets for the show does not normally open until the December of the previous year and as of the 2017 Paris Air Show, the cost of entry was only €14 per day, but there is an additional charge if you would like a seat in the stands to watch the air show.
We would like to point out that apart from guide dogs for the blind, pets are not allowed, but you may be pleased to know that people with reduced mobility or disabled people are welcomed and are given priority entry to the show. There is also reserved parking for the disabled near to the L3 Gate.
Children under the age of 7 do have to be within a grandstand seat, yet can access the show free of charge bar the charge for a seat, which is a cost of €11 as of 2017, and this is also added to the normal show cost for adults if you need to have a seat or wish to, so this would have worked out at €25 Euros for the 2017 air show.
When it comes to public transport, if travelling on the RER train you would need the Le Bourget station via line B and then take the shuttle bus to the show or the connecting Bus Line 152.
Whereas if you are travelling on the Paris Metro you would need the Metro station called La Courneuve - 8 May 1945 via line 7, then the bus line 152 to Michelet Exhibition Centre.
Alternatively you have the Metro station called Porte de la Chapelle on line 12, then you would take the bus numbered 350 to the Michelet Exhibition Centre.
