The Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris is a fascinating museum dedicated to the history of science, technology, and industry. Located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, the museum houses original Bleriot XI used by Louis Bleriot for his historic 1909 Channel crossing and objects that trace the development of human inventions and innovations across various fields, including mechanics, physics, chemistry, engineering, and more.

Musée des Arts et Métiers

60 Rue Réaumur

75003 Paris

France

www.arts-et-metiers.net

+33 1 53 01 82 00

Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00

Thursday night closed at  21:30

Closed Mondays, 1st may and 25th december

Admission fee

Gift shop

Underground/Subway

• Arts et Metiers, Reaumur-Sebastopol

Buses

• 20, 38, 39, 47

Aircraft collection

– No 40 – –

Bleriot X Breguet Type R.U1 Clement Ader “Avion 3” R.E.P. Type A

The original Blériot XI aircraft, famously flown by Louis Blériot for his historic 1909 Channel crossing, is one of the prized exhibits at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. This aircraft is a key piece of aviation history, as Blériot’s flight on July 25, 1909, was the first successful flight across the English Channel from Calais, France, to Dover, England, a milestone that helped establish the viability of powered flight for long distances.

Key Facts about the Blériot XI:

1. The Historic Flight:
   • On July 25, 1909, Louis Blériot made the daring and groundbreaking flight across the English Channel, covering a distance of 34 kilometers (21 miles) in just under 37 minutes.
   • The aircraft he used for this flight, the Blériot XI, was a monoplane with a wingspan of 8 meters (26 feet) and was powered by a 25-horsepower engine.
2. Design and Construction:
   • The Blériot XI was a pioneering aircraft, designed by Blériot himself, and was one of the first practical, controllable airplanes of the era.
   • It was built with a wooden frame, fabric-covered wings, and a single engine mounted at the front. The plane had a simple design, which was characteristic of early aviation technology but also innovative in its use of controls and stability.
3. Significance:
   • Blériot’s flight across the Channel was a major milestone in the history of aviation. It demonstrated that airplanes could travel long distances, even over water, and helped to establish aviation as a feasible mode of transport.
   • The event also gained international attention and was widely celebrated, marking Blériot as a hero of the aviation world.
4. Preservation at the Musée des Arts et Métiers:
   • The Blériot XI on display at the museum is the original aircraft that Blériot used for his historic flight. It has been carefully preserved and is one of the museum’s most popular exhibits.
   • The plane is displayed in the museum’s collection of aviation and transportation history, showcasing the early developments in flight.
5. Symbol of Early Aviation:
   • The Blériot XI is a symbol of the early days of flight and is an important part of the aviation heritage, demonstrating the pioneering spirit of innovators like Blériot, who made early aviation breakthroughs that paved the way for the development of modern aircraft.

Visit:

When you visit the Musée des Arts et Métiers, you can see the Blériot XI up close and learn more about the context of Louis Blériot’s achievements in aviation. The museum provides detailed information about his flight and the aircraft’s design, offering a fascinating look at this significant moment in history.