He departed from the Chateau-des-Fleurs at 6.30pm on 2 September 1849 and ascended to about 13,000 feet (4,000 m) over the Massif de l'Esterel.

He passed Monte Viso in the Cottian Alps at 1:30am on 3 September, to the south of Mont Blanc, at about 15,000 feet (4,600 m) and landed at 2.30am on 3 September, on a farm in the village of Pion Porte, near Stupinigi, about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Turin.

He disappeared without trace, and is thought to have died shortly afterwards, however many newspapers reported in November 1853, that he had allegedly survived, being captured and in slavery for two years before escaping.

The Illustrated London News said, "The Spanish journals state the French aeronaut, Arban, who made an ascent from Barcelona more than two years ago, and had not since been heard of, and who was believed to have fallen into the sea and been drowned, has made his appearance again.

An Alicant letter says that his balloon went over to Africa, and that he was seized and made a slave, and continued in that state for two years, when he effected his escape.