[3][4][5] In part, he also accepted the invitation because of the climate in Paris at that time of year[6] and due to the fact that the Prince of Monaco would build an Aerodrome and finance his experiments.

[10][A] Santos Dumont had arrived in Monaco at the end of January 1902, when the Aerodrome, built on Boulevard de la Condamine[7] and occupying the areas called the "Radziwill Lands", was already complete.

[14] Despite this, Santos Dumont was able to approach the sea-wall, turn off the engine, and enter with the natural thrust of the airship over the crowd watching the flight.

[17] The same afternoon a second flight took place that more than signaled the difficulties of landing and after the Prince proposed to knock down the sea-wall, this time Santos Dumont proposed to create a landing platform, which was accomplished after twelve days of work[18][16] and during construction occurred one of the rare public appearances of Empress Eugénie, widow of Napoleon III.

[19] The second flight lasted 45 minutes and Prince Albert I recognized the risk of the airship maneuvering so close to the city, due to the chance of a wind hurling it against houses.

[24] The distance Santos Dumont traveled during these experiments was greater than when he circumnavigated the Eiffel Tower, as well as being able to face high-speed winds.

[22] The fourth flight occurred on February 12, 1902, reaching the greatest distance from the Aerodrome,[22] for Santos Dumont planned to fly to Italy.

The airship left its Aerodrome in the afternoon of the same day, aiming to cross the Mediterranean Sea, being escorted by the ships "Princesse Alice" and "Varuna".

[30] However, a cloud stopped blocking the Sun, whose rays caused the hydrogen gas to expand[28] and increase the ascensional force,[31] exaggerating the inclination that the aviator had made.

[30] Due to the unbalance and the weight of the cape, the airship rose violently and unbalanced, for a moment becoming totally perpendicular[31] after a gust of wind coming from Tête de Chien struck it.