Chalais-Meudon
| Chalais-Meudon | |
|---|---|
| Meudon Near Paris in France | |
L'Intrépide, one of the first observation balloons produced at Château de Meudon. | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Military aeronautical research and development centre |
| Owner | Ministry of Armed Forces |
| Operator | ONERA |
| Open to the public | No |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 48°48′01″N 02°14′09″E / 48.80028°N 2.23583°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1877 |
| Designations | 2 buildings designated Historic Monuments |
Chalais-Meudon is an aeronautical research and development centre in Meudon, to the south-west of Paris. It was originally founded in 1793 in the nearby Château de Meudon and has played an important role in the development of French aviation. Starting with the development and production of balloons, the site has been a centre of aviation development, mainly but not exclusively military, ever since. Many famous French aircraft designers and engineers worked here or used its resources, such as hangars, wind tunnels, and laboratories to further their activities, and the site continues as an aerospace research hub into the 21st century.
The site was the original home of the world's first aviation museum, now known as the Musée de l'air et de l'espace at Paris–Le Bourget Airport.