Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Ankefrom Pixabay
Against the backdrop of the Prince’s Palace, Monaco’s distinctive red-and-white hot-air balloon returned to the Place du Palais during the Monaco Yacht Show — while preparations are already underway for an adventure that could take it across the United States.
The Monaco Moravia balloon was fully inflated in the Palace Square for the second consecutive year by the Club des Aéronautes de Monaco. Remaining tethered throughout the display, it offered visitors a rare chance to see the national balloon up close in one of the Principality’s most recognisable settings.
Whether the spectacle could take place remained uncertain until shortly before inflation. Ballooning depends heavily on wind conditions, with the team monitoring both speed and direction before receiving the green light.
Club founder, president and pilot Alain Cruteanschii described the opportunity to operate on Palace grounds as an “immense honour”, highlighting the trust placed in the team by Prince Albert II, who serves as honorary president of the Club des Aéronautes de Monaco.
The balloon, supported by principal partner Moravia Yachting, will now embark on a busy European winter programme. January is expected to take the team to Mondovì in Italy, Méribel in the French Alps and Switzerland’s International Château-d’Œx Balloon Festival, followed by Verbier and Auron in February.
A considerably bigger journey is being planned for 2027–2028. The club intends to cross the United States from east to west in seven stages over almost two months.
The proposed route begins in Philadelphia, birthplace of Princess Grace, before heading west towards New Mexico and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, where the Monaco team plans to compete in the Nations Cup.
If completed, the expedition will take one of Monaco’s most unusual red-and-white ambassadors from the Palace Square to American skies — carrying the colours of the Principality thousands of kilometres from home.