since when ?

On November 21st 1783, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier, born in Metz (Lorraine) , realized the first flight in history, piloting a balloon imagined and designed by the French brothers Etienne and Joseph de Montgolfier. Pilâtre de Rozier established that day the three first world records of distance, altitude and duration and inspired all the enthusiasts of the "lighter than the air", everywhere in the world.

lorraine flies away

Early, Lorraine became a land of balloonists and aviators. A reality for two reasons : the geographical and military position of the region and the presence of many enthusiasts of the "lighter than the air" who become known through their achievements and inventions.

In the middle of the 19th century, Metz’s gunners showed an interest in space rockets in the School of military Pyrotechnics established in the city (founded by a Royal Prescription of 19 May 1824 then transferred to Bourges in 1870). More in the South, Colonel Charles Renard (born in Vosges) has invented the first zeppelin. During the siege of Metz in 1870, pharmacists of the city have invented the airmail through gas balloons.

danger's fiancee

Men, like the astronaut Jean-François Clervoy (born in Longeville-lès-Metz), are not the only ones fascinated by the sky and what’s flying through it. Marie Marvingt, an amazing woman, multidisciplinary athlete and pioneer of aviation, piloted her first balloon in 1907. She obtained her flying license in 1909 and then has accumulated trophies and records. Among them, the first crossing of the English Channel in a gas balloon. The start was given in Nancy on October 26th 1909. It has been reproduced 101 years later, on October 7th 2010.

military deployments

As the Franco-Prussian War began, France and Germany reinforced their aerial military presence in Lorraine. To answer to the first tarmacs (grass ones) in Nancy and Verdun, Germans implanted a zeppelins base in Metz. It became the place of the first air bombardment in history, made by a duet of French aviators who had took off from Verdun, August 14th 1914.

Then, many air-bases were built in Lorraine : 14 existed at the strongest of the Cold War. Nancy and Metz of course, the others were NATO, Americans or Canadians. Among them, Chambley Air Force Base, inaugurated the June 12th 1956, which became in 1993 the site of Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons.