This year, GEMAB celebrates its 34th anniversary. Not bad for an event that wasn’t due to be repeated!
It all began in 1983, with the Challenge Pilâtre de Rozier held in Metz (the bicentenary of the first human flight), with up to 150 hot air balloons in the sky! The Pilâtre de Rozier team took part in the 1986 edition of the “Balloon Fiesta” in Albuquerque (USA), and a crazy idea began to germinate in Philippe Buron Pilâtre’s mind: to organize an international gathering of hot air balloons on the native land of the first man to fly, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier. Who better than his great-great-grand-nephew to take up such a challenge?
The 1989 event was called “Fraternité 89”. With pilots from all 5 continents, visitors from all over the world and companies investing in the event, it is a tourist and media success. It’s the start of a crazy adventure.
Such was its success that it was renewed two years later under the name of Biennale Mondiale de l’Aérostation, then became an emblematic French event. In 2003, the name changed to Mondial Air Ballons, with the region, a major partner, adding its name to the event with Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons at first, then Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons since 2019.
All editions of the event have featured famous personalities: Don Piccard, Bertrand Piccard, Brian Jones, Don Cameron, Jean François Clervoy, Hubert de Chevigny, Gérard Feldzer, …
One record after another was broken, culminating in an incredible 456. In 2017, 456 hot air balloons took to the skies in less than an hour under the supervision of a bailiff.
Intended to be a one-off event when it was created in 1989, the event has risen to the challenge of becoming a must-see in the hearts of spectators, pilots, organizers and media alike.
With its global dimension, this show of disconcerting beauty brings together professionals and balloon enthusiasts from the four corners of the globe, ready to pass on their love of balloons to the many visitors.
Ready to extend your adventure from July 21 to 30?
