Olympic balloon re-inflates in Paris once more

Soaring High Once More: The Olympic Balloon Returns to the French Skyline, 2021-2028

Parisian Skies Welcome Ascension of Olympic Balloon Once More - Olympic balloon re-inflates in Paris once more

Prepare for a breathtaking spectacle as the iconic, luminous hot air balloon reappears in the skies above Paris! Initiated by President Emmanuel Macron, this golden wonder will grace the City of Lights until the Summer Olympics shift to Los Angeles in 2028. The balloon has already found its new home in the heart of the city, the Tuileries Garden, and will take flight from June 21 to September 14.

"This is friggin' fantastic news!" exclaimed Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. The balloon stands as a symbol of Paris' Olympic heritage, an enduring emblem of our memory of the Games. Interestingly, Paris is also acknowledged as a historical playground for ballooning, hosting the very first manned hot air balloon launch by the Montgolfier brothers in 1783.

Open for all, free as a bird!

This magnificent spectacle will be accessible to visitors day by day, without the need for reservations. Keep in mind that the park will close at night - 22:30 until the end of July, 21:30 in August, and 20:30 in the early half of September, as the city has announced.

The estimated cost for the balloon's revival, including the cauldron, is approximately 2.5 million euros, according to reports. These expenses will be covered by the surplus of the Olympic budget that remains following the Paris Games in 2024.

• Paris
• Hot air balloon
• Summer Games
• Élysée Palace
• Emmanuel Macron
• Summer Olympics
• Los Angeles

While we're here, let's take a quick peek at the costs, funding, and history behind this grand return:

Cost of the Balloon’s Return

• The grand cauldron is estimated to set back around 2.5 million euros per summer for installation, operation, and maintenance.
• The balloon will rise again every summer from 2025 to at least the 2028 Los Angeles Games, potentially costing upwards of 10 million euros for a four-year span. Currently, reports confirm a return for three summers, totaling 7.5 million euros.
• The re-inflation of the balloon for each return takes an estimated 300,000 euros, but this amount is included in the overall per-summer cost.
• The balloon didn't make an appearance from 2021 to 2024; its return comes post-2024 Olympics.

Source of Funding

• The project is a collaboration between the French government and the City of Paris, with support from notable figures such as Culture Minister Rachida Dati and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
• The cauldron was originally facilitated by French energy company EDF and designed by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, but there is no direct statement confirming EDF's financial backing for the return.

Key Points

• There was no return between 2021 and 2024; the return comes post-2024 Olympics.
• The intended return period is from 2025 to 2027 (possibly extending to 2028, if resources allow).
• The estimated cost for the summer seasons is 2.5 million euros per summer.
• The funding is primarily public (City of Paris and French government), with some private-sector involvement in design and technology.

Summary Table

| Year(s) | Presence in Paris | Estimated Cost (Total) | Funding Source ||--------------|------------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|| 2021–2024 | None | — | — || 2025–2027 | Yes (every summer)| 7.5 million euros | City of Paris, French government || 2028 (if extended) | Possible | 10 million euros (total, if 2028 included) | Likely same as above |

Note: The balloon is no longer officially known as the "Olympic" balloon, and has been rebranded as the "Paris Cauldron." There is no documented return between 2021 and 2024, only from 2025 onward. The costs and funding discussed are for the post-Olympic, city-wide public event years.

The Paris Cauldron, formerly known as the Olympic balloon, will resume its presence in the skies of Paris from 2025, likely extending to 2028, with an estimated total cost of 7.5 million euros for the initial three summers. This public event is a collaboration between the French government and the City of Paris, with potential private-sector involvement in design and technology.

Interestingly, during this period, various community and employment policies could be enacted to ensure the successful operation and maintenance of the Paris Cauldron, considering its high profile and the tourism it is expected to attract. For instance, employment policies could be established to hire local staff for its operation, while community policy could address safety regulations and noise control measures to maintain a harmonious balance between the balloon's presence and the well-being of the city's residents.

Read also:

• Still no breakthrough on the 2024 budget in sight - FDP in no hurry
• Paris attacker shows no remorse after killing a German tourist
• SPD parliamentary group: No more adoption of the 2024 budget this year
• EU agrees on new energy requirements for buildings - no refurbishment obligation