Around the World
This balloon tableau was made in Perpignan, France.
Please click on a thumbnail to expand it.
The Amazon rainforest is immense! Môssieur Ballon held back and only reproduced a tiny clearing in it to represent the Americas in a "Continents of the World"-themed week-long performance.
This portion of tropical mangrove, made in balloons, was created at the same time as the giant reptile.

Another participant of the Castell seen up close. In Catalonia, Castells (\"castles\") are traditional human towers which have been known to be as much as 9 levels high. Individual participants are known as castellers. This balloon castell was made during a performance in Perpignan on the theme of the \"Continents of the World\", with the castell standing in for Europe.
Another participant of the Castell seen up close. In Catalonia, Castells ("castles") are traditional human towers which have been known to be as much as 9 levels high. Individual participants are known as castellers. This balloon castell was made during a performance in Perpignan on the theme of the "Continents of the World", with the castell standing in for Europe.
The sulphur-crested cockatoo is one of the most widespread cockatoos in Australia, which made it right at home in this performance on the continents of the world.
Castells are human towers made up of several people standing on each other's shoulders. They are a typical feature of Catalan culture, and were chosen to represent Europe in a mural of continents made for a thematic balloon performance in Perpignan.
Closeup on the elephant, standing in for Asia at the continent-themed balloon performance in Perpignan.
A closer look at the Maasai warrior's face and upper body.
Closeup on a participant of a Catalan castell.
A closer look at the rendering of the mahout's face.

The elephant\'s mahout, made in balloons. Wikipedia states that \"a mahout, from the Hindi words mahaut and mahavat, is a person who rides an elephant. Usually, a mahout starts as a boy in the \'family profession\' when he is assigned an elephant early in its life. They remain bonded to each other throughout their lives.\" Created for a live balloon performance in Perpignan about the Continents of the World.
The elephant's mahout, made in balloons. Wikipedia states that "a mahout, from the Hindi words mahaut and mahavat, is a person who rides an elephant. Usually, a mahout starts as a boy in the 'family profession' when he is assigned an elephant early in its life. They remain bonded to each other throughout their lives." Created for a live balloon performance in Perpignan about the Continents of the World.

It made perfect sense for Môssieur Ballon to have an Asian elephant, along with its trusty mahout, represent their continent. Asian elephants are smaller than their African counterparts. The elephant and mahout were created for a live balloon performance in Perpignan on the theme of the \"Continents of the World\".
It made perfect sense for Môssieur Ballon to have an Asian elephant, along with its trusty mahout, represent their continent. Asian elephants are smaller than their African counterparts. The elephant and mahout were created for a live balloon performance in Perpignan on the theme of the "Continents of the World".
Part of a balloon performance about the Continents of the World, carried out in Perpignan in 2012, this Maasai warrior represented Africa with pride.
At the foot of the Maasai warrior, sat a friendly balloon lion.

Môssieur Ballon was even able to represent a very rare and terrifying species of reptiles (the Anacobra Dragonibus) which has not to this day been officially recognized by the zoological scientific community of our time. Some spoilsports would even call it a hoax. If it\'s just a hoax then why is there a photo of it right here? Thought so.
Môssieur Ballon was even able to represent a very rare and terrifying species of reptiles (the Anacobra Dragonibus) which has not to this day been officially recognized by the zoological scientific community of our time. Some spoilsports would even call it a hoax. If it's just a hoax then why is there a photo of it right here? Thought so.
