Title
Hot-air balloon in Versailles on 19th September 1783
Caption
Versailles experiment on 19th September 1783 in the presence of the Royal Family.
Small design on ivory with frame (diameter 12 cm)
Muller-Quênot Collection
Info+
On 19th September 1783, the aerostat called "Le Réveillon" left faubourg Saint-Antoine at dawn in a horse drawn storage car. It reached Versailles at nearly ten o'clock.
A platform had been built by the joiners of the "Menus Plaisirs" in the castle's first court of honour.
The experiment began at twelve fifty-six. The fire was lit and the balloon was inflated within seven minutes. A wicker basket containing a duck, a rooster and a lamb was attached to the base of the balloon. A second gunshot rung out, signalling the balloon's release.
The gold and blue hot-air balloon majestically rose into the air in the direction of the chapel in order to reach an altitude of more than five hundred metres.
Date
18th century
Credit line
Photo12/Association Muller Quenot Rosheim
Reference
MQR10A00_082
License type
Rights managed
Available size
35,9Mb (2,3Mb) / 11,8in x 11,8in / 3543 x 3543 (300dpi)