2025 marks the 120th anniversary of the death of Jules Verne, French writer and author of the famous book « Around the World in Eighty Days ». The novel tells the story of the crazy bet of an English gentleman (Phileas Fogg) to successfully circumnavigate the world in eighty days. In his adventure, the hero, accompanied by his faithful servant Passepartout, will take a route on his journey. balloon.

On January 4, 2025, to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the death of the illustrious author, the Jules Verne Centre, with the complicity of the Belgian Balloon Club (BBC), wanted to mark the occasion with the presence of the magnificent replica of the Montgolfier Brothers’ balloon on the forecourt of the Saint-Gilles town hall.

All illuminated, the hot air balloon attracted young and old to discover the aeronautical machine.

To conclude the 80 days of the adventure, on March 24, 2025, the replica of the Montgolfier Brothers’ balloon made its return to the park in front of Forest’s house to the delight of the onlookers present for the occasion.