World Record Attempt Featuring 343 Hot Air Balloons Launched At Once

A world record was attempted on July 31, 2011 for the most hot air balloons taking off at once at Lorraine Mondail Air Ballons international festival at France’s Chambley-Bussieres Aerodrome. While not confirmed, the festival did break its own record of 329 balloons taking off at once in 2009 with 343 balloons this year. According to the festival, “1032 drivers from forty-eight nations, 2672 crew members, 174 businesses and communities, 195 volunteers and nearly 400 journalists” were involved in this year’s event. Gaston Batistini shot a bunch of amazing photos of festival.

photos by Gaston Batistini