All About Hot Air Balloons and Their World

In 1782, brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier discovered that hot air could lift a large fabric balloon. Their invention paved the way for the first manned flights.

In November 1783, they conducted an experimental flight. On December 21, 1783, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d’Arlandes made the first manned flight over Paris, lasting 25 minutes.

Decades later, to promote tourism and boost the local economy during the summer, the Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Office, and the Haut-Richelieu Economic Council teamed up with two enthusiasts, Bob Burch and Dave McLeod. They noticed that the Haut-Richelieu region, thanks to its geography and climate, offered perfect conditions for hot air ballooning.

This is how, in 1984, a unique festival was born one that celebrates the tradition of ballooning while attracting visitors each year to marvel at the colorful balloons rising into the sky. During the four days of festivities, 20 hot air balloons officially launch the grand balloon gathering.

Years later, in 2001, the Festival de montgolfières de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu was renamed the International de montgolfières de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

A hot air balloon is a light and magical way to fly that relies on a simple principle: hot air rises. Here’s how it works, step by step 🧐 :

The large colorful fabric you see in the sky is called the envelope. It is made of a strong, lightweight fabric designed to hold hot air.

Underneath the envelope, a burner shoots a flame that heats the air inside the balloon. This hot air becomes lighter than the cooler air outside.

The hot air inside the balloon causes the hot air balloon to rise because it is less dense than cold air. By heating more, the pilot can make the balloon go higher.

To descend, the pilot reduces the flame and lets the air inside cool slowly. The balloon then becomes heavier and descends.

Under the envelope, the wicker or metal basket carries passengers and the pilot. It’s where everyone enjoys the flight and the breathtaking view.

The hot air balloon has no engine to steer left or right. It follows the wind. The pilot uses different wind layers at different altitudes to choose the direction by ascending or descending.