The first manned hot-air balloon, designed by the Montgolfier brothers , takes off from the Bois de Boulogne, Paris, on November 21, 1783

Can you imagine the excitment this must have generated! I do get a chuckle thinking of Louis XVI decreeing test pilots should be condemned criminals. What a great way to make an escape! I also love the connection between hot air balloons and wallpaper as the story of Jean-Baptiste Rveillon reveals. It seems his papier blue d'Angleterre was a favourite of Marie Antoinette's. Learn more about The History of Hot Air Ballooning on my blog.Thanks to the work of Harleywan Haggwood , the Duché de Coeur has many hot air balloons available for public use. It's a wonderful way to explore the Duchy especially now that the trees are such vivid autumn colours. Visit le Jardin Francais, Provence Coeur Est2 Hot Air Balloons & Carousel for free rides. Wane's Baroque Balloons are also available for purchase at this location.