August Skies Bloom with Color - ballooning in France
The warm August sun had transformed the French countryside around Lorraine to a golden hue as hundreds of hot air balloons readied to take to the sky. We arrived at the old NATO airfield at Chambley-Bussier, just west of Metz, just in time to witness this spectacle.
At 5pm there was still nearly 5-hours of daylight left. The flight briefing had just ended and inflator fans were starting up in unison, creating a roar that only stopped as burners put life into the balloons. Within moments the sky bloomed with color as waves of balloons climbed into the blue sky.
Every two years the Mondial Air Ballons takes place. And this year is no exception. From July 27 to August 5 hundreds of balloons will again descend on (and ascend from) the old airfield for fun and competition. Pilots from around the world will come together to the country where, over 200-years ago, the sport began and the mystique remains.
It is a festive time. Carnival rides, food, wine and thousands of people drawn together to experience two flights each day during the 9-day event. Once the balloons have launched the narrow country roads become crowded with balloon crews and spectators alike, all trying to get a better view and get closer to being a part of this unique sport.
At a previous event we were fortunate to join with one of the American teams. They were sport flyers and there for fun. Competition for them meant dropping a marker on the target only if the target presented itself. Their main concern was taking as many of their crew and friends for rides over the beautiful countryside as possible.
The team had rented a van for balloon transport purposes and also rented a small car. Due to high gas prices the van was used during the event only and, at night, acted as the balloon’s hangar on the launch field. The car provided economic transportation to and from the hotel, to restaurants, for sightseeing and back to the Paris airport at then end of the event.
The evening flights were great and the morning flights were equally magical. Arriving in the dark the vehicles would jockey for position on the launch field. After the all-important flight briefing the inflator fans would again begin. As the sun began to rise so would the balloons, sometimes floating through wisps of low clouds in search of a gentle breeze to move them along.
The gentle take-offs are always beautiful. But the landings can offer a little extra. Each landing is different and in a different place. Some were in open, freshly cut fields. Some were landings behind old churches in villages whose names were only on the most accurate of maps while others were near the homes of local residents.
Meeting the local population this way was easy. Entire families would come out to enjoy the excitement of an 80-foot tall balloon, landing then collapsing into a long, colorful stream of fabric in their field. Bottles of wine appeared out of nowhere and the soft landings were toasted by the families, friends and balloon crew alike. Many times a family would even invite a crew back for dinner. Making friends is fun under these unique circumstances.
This Summer while you’re in France plan a side trip to Chambley-Bussier. Everything about your visit will be a memory you won’t soon forget. Hotels are plentiful and a room can always be found at a local chamber d’hotes (B&B).
If you go:
Event Info:
http://www.pilatre-de-rozier.com
Hotels:
Hostellerie Lion d’Or in Gorze. Phone 33.03.87.52.00.90. Fax 33.03.87.52.09.62.
Villages Hotels. Phone 33.03.92.70.75.38. Fax 33.03.87.38.39.62.
Rental Cars (via Mark’s own site):
http://www.virtually-there.com
Maps:
Michelin and IGN are best for negotiating the country roads.
