Ballon Generali

The Ballon Generali is a tethered helium balloon, used as tourist attraction and as an air quality awareness tool.

Installed in Paris since 1999 in the Parc André-Citroën, it was created and developed by the French company Aerophile SAS for the celebration of the year 2000.

[1] The balloon, filled with 6,000 m3 (210,000 cu ft) of helium, is attached to the ground with a cable, controlled by an hydroelectric winch.

[3] This system was completed by an independent lighting (panels light-emitting diode, visible especially at night on the lower part of the shell) stating the air quality near traffic with the same colour code.

In the morning, with optimal weather conditions, the Ballon Generali can reach the altitude of 300 m (980 ft), making it the second highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower.

The Ballon Generali in flight, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.