Montmartre in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe
Départ de Gambetta en ballon
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Departure of Gambetta by Balloon
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 10, 2025
1. Départ de Gambetta en ballon / Departure of Gambetta by Balloon Marker
En 1870, la guerre et le siège de Paris donnent à Nadar l'occasion d'ajouter un demier épisode à sa carrière d'aéronaute. Dès le 4 septembre, il installe "révolutionnairement" sa compagnie d'aérostiers place Saint-Pierre: les bailons sont destinés non seulement à l'observation des lignes ennemies, mais encore aux communications postales, inaugurées le 23 septembre par le Neptune. Le 7 octobre; un ballon flambant neuf, l'Armand Barbès, s'élève au milieu de la foule venue assister au lancement, il emporte Gambetta, ministre de l'Intérieur du gouvernement de la Défense nationale. Témoin de la scène, Victor Hugo la décrit ainsi : "Il faisait beau. Un doux soleil d'automne. Audessous du ballon de Gambetta pendait une flamme tricolore. On a crié: Vive la République!"
In 1870, the war and the Siege of Paris gave Nadar the opportunity to add a final episode to his career as an aeronaut. On September 4, he "revolutionarily" established his balloon company in Place Saint-Pierre: the balloons were intended not only for observing enemy lines, but also for postal communications, inaugurated on September 23 by the Neptune. On October 7, a brand-new balloon, the Armand Barbès, rose amidst the crowd that had come to witness the launch, carrying Gambetta, Minister of the Interior of the Government of National Defense. Victor Hugo, who witnessed the scene, described it thus: "The weather was beautiful. A gentle autumn sun. Below Gambetta's balloon hung a tricolor banner. People shouted: 'Long live the Republic!'"
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Location. 48° 53.068′ N, 2° 20.618′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Montmartre. It is at the intersection of Place Saint-Pierre and Rue de Steinkerque, on the right when traveling west on Place Saint-Pierre. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Paris, Île-de-France 75018, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Square Louise-Michel (within shouting distance of this marker); Jean Roger Debrais (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Le dispensaire de Clemenceau / Clemenceau’s Dispensary (about 180 meters away); Georges Clemenceau
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 10, 2025
2. Departure of Gambetta by Balloon Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Léon Gambetta (Wikipedia). On Gambetta’s departure during the siege of Paris:
Gambetta was one of the first members of the new Government of National Defense, becoming Minister of the Interior. He advised his colleagues to leave Paris and run the government from some provincial city.(Submitted on May 1, 2025.)
This advice was rejected because of fear of another revolution in Paris, and a delegation to organize resistance in the provinces was dispatched to Tours, but when this was seen to be ineffective, Gambetta himself left Paris 7 October with Eugène Spuller in a coal gas-filled balloon—the "Armand-Barbès"—and upon arriving at Tours took control as minister of the interior and of war. Aided by Freycinet, a young officer of engineers, as his assistant secretaryof war, he quickly organized an army, which might have relieved Paris if Metz had held out, but Bazaine's surrender brought the army of the Prussian prince Friederich Karl back into the field, and success was impossible. After the French defeat near Orléans early in December the seat of government was transferred to Bordeaux.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 20253. Departure of Gambetta by Balloon Marker - wider viewThe marker is visible here above the rear of the rightmost car.
Additional keywords. panneau
Photographed by G.C.A. Paris, October 7, 1870
4. Departure of Gambetta by the balloon “Armand Barbes” on October 7, 1870
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 1, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
