The term zeppelin is especially associated with the German airships that conducted bombing raids during World War I; while it’s in fact the semi-rigid airships inflated with helium, manufactured by a particular company, the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin of Germany, which was founded by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. It made its first flight in 1997, when configured for sightseeing and tourism. This way to view the French capital – from the air hasn’t been offered in more than 30 years. Until now, tanks to the new zeppelin tour company in France, Airship Paris, who uses these airship filled with a hellium which is a completely non-flammable gas to take tourists to the skies above Paris.
Almost 1,000 feet up into the sky (more precisely 984 feet, or 300 metres), traveling at a leisurely speed of 35 knots, up to 12 tourists can now dangle above the French capital in the belly of a zeppelin which is 75 meters long, five stories high and as wide as a four-lane motorway. Tourist will enjoy the beauty of the countryside and castles outside Paris as well as the Chateau de Versailles and Seine River. On clear days, the company says, the Eiffel Tower would be visible in the distance.
Tickets on this dirigible will cost you €250 ($330) for half an hour.
