Ascending Over the 15th: The Ballon de Paris

Guided by my copy of Paris Buissonniers, I decided that a sunny afternoon was the perfect occasion for the walk from Parc André Citroën toward Trocadéro. After riding the Ligne 8 to its southwestern edge (the other end of the line is marked by the Créteil Téléphérique), I emerged at Place Balard. Following a quick tea at a local brasserie, I made my way into the park.

Built on the former site of a massive Citroën manufacturing plant, the park is a beautiful blend of industrial history and modern landscape design. I was particularly charmed by the “Citroën cars” fashioned from wood and climbing plants; they were structural skeletons at that moment, but I could imagine how lush and green they’d look as spring fully takes hold.

The Flight of the Generali

For a long time, I’ve watched the “ballon” (the Ballon de Paris Generali) rise into the sky from various vantage points across the city, always promising myself I’d eventually try it. Today was finally the day.

Before boarding, I spent a few moments capturing the mirror-like reflections of the balloon in the park’s expansive ponds. After securing my ticket and joining the queue, we began our effortless ascent. Because the balloon is tethered by a heavy-duty cable, the rise feels incredibly stable and calm.

A New Perspective

As the altitude increased, the park below transformed into a geometric tapestry. I found myself looking straight down the cable, capturing “street photography” scenes of people wandering the wide-open lawns and tiled paths — they looked like tiny characters in a meticulously planned diorama.

Soon, the full panorama of the Seine revealed itself. From this height, you get a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower, the Île aux Cygnes, and the path toward Passy. Looking toward the horizon, the skyscrapers of La Défense stood out clearly, and I enjoyed a unique, top-down perspective of the circular Radio France building.

The Descent

The trip back down was just as visual. As we approached the ground, the modern glass buildings surrounding the park acted as a canvas, offering colorful reflections of the balloon that looked like abstract paintings.

At 20 euros, it is a fantastic investment if you find yourself in the area on a calm, clear day. It offers a sense of scale you just can’t get from the street.