The Paris Balloon is a tethered helium balloon used as a tourist attraction in the heart of Paris, the French capital. Installed since 1999 in the Parc André Citroën, it was made and developed by Aerophile SA. The balloon had more than half a million passengers.
Renamed "Air de Paris balloon" in 2008, it became an indicator of air quality by providing real-time reports on atmospheric pollution thanks to its lighting system.
Read more about Paris Balloon: Operation
Famous quotes containing the words paris and/or balloon:
“Napoleon wanted to turn Paris into Rome under the Caesars, only with louder music and more marble. And it was done. His architects gave him the Arc de Triomphe and the Madeleine. His nephew Napoleon III wanted to turn Paris into Rome with Versailles piled on top, and it was done. His architects gave him the Paris Opera, an addition to the Louvre, and miles of new boulevards.”
—Tom Wolfe (b. 1931)
“When I am on a stage, I am the focus of thousands of eyes and it gives me strength. I feel that something, some energy, is flowing from the audience into me. I actually feel stronger because of these waves. Now when the play’s done, the eyes taken away, I feel just as if a circuit’s been broken. The power is switched off. I feel all gone and empty inside of me—like a balloon that’s been pricked and the air’s let out.”
—Lynn Fontanne (1887–1983)