“Ready for take-off?” asks a voice from the past. Villacoublay-Vélizy Air Base is more than just runways and hangars. It is a living testament to France’s rich aviation history. This base witnessed the dawn of flight. It evolved into a crucial military installation.
Let’s step back to the late 19th century. The high plateau of Villacoublay proved ideal for early flight experiments. Its location near Paris and surrounded by forests offered a unique setting. In 1858, Nadar captured the world’s first aerial photographs from a balloon. This happened over Petit-Clamart near Villacoublay.
Fast forward to August 9, 1884. Two pioneers Charles Renard and Arthur Constantin Krebs tested their military airship La France. They flew from the world’s first airship hangar. It was near the Chalais-Meudon ponds. La France completed the world’s first closed-circuit flight. It covered 8 kilometers in 23 minutes. The air base at Saint-Cyr-l’École was later named after Colonel Charles Renard.
In 1897, French engineer Clément Ader flew his “avion” here. He actually invented the word “avion”. The flight occurred at the Satory military camp. Ader foresaw the military applications of his invention. The tests remained top secret.
October 1908 saw Alfred de Pischof and Paul Koechlin flying their aircraft. They flew it on Paul Dautier’s land. They achieved flights of 300 to 500 meters.
Count Charles de Lambert discovered Villacoublay in February 1910. The Seine River flooded Port-Aviation. It was the world’s first airfield. Lambert moved his Wright biplanes. He sought higher ground. Paul Dautier offered him a field. The Wright-Astra flying school was established in May 1910.
The site soon hosted four flying schools. Louis Charles Breguet established his school in July 1911. Breguet factories gradually moved here from 1913. The Morane brothers followed. They founded Morane-Saulnier. They bought land around the Villacoublay farm in February 1912. The Nieuport school arrived in November 1912.
The military arrived in late 1910. They acquired land for official flight tests. Villacoublay was chosen for military aviation demonstrations in 1912. High-ranking officials witnessed these events. In 1913, Marcel Brindejonc des Moulinais triumphed at the Coupe Pommery. He returned to Villacoublay after his European tour.
During World War I, Villacoublay became a vital military site. Combat squadrons defended Paris against German raids. Lieutenant René Dorme served here. He became an ace pilot. He was later named the base’s “godfather”. The base also served as a flight test center. Engineers developed procedures. Aviation shifted from artisanal to industrial production.
The Breguet XIV bomber made its first flight here in 1916. It became a crucial aircraft during the war. It also served in civil transport. It played a role in the Aéropostale saga. Legendary pilots flew it.
Gustave Eiffel designed an aircraft tested at Villacoublay. It was the Breguet Laboratoire Eiffel monoplane. The plane crashed on its first planned flight in 1918. The test pilot died. The project was abandoned.
After World War I, the base became a depot for German aircraft. In 1924, the western part was given to the army. The east went to the Ministry of Transport. Villacoublay hosted air raids, records, and aerial meetings. Famous aviators flew here.
Around 1920, a large airship hangar was built. It was designed by Gustave Eiffel. It is still standing today. It is known as the “Georges Guynemer” hangar.
In 1935-1936, Louis Charles Breguet flew his Gyroplane Laboratoire here. It set helicopter speed, altitude, and flight duration records.
During World War II, the Luftwaffe bombed Villacoublay in 1940. The Germans occupied the base. They used it to repair Junkers Ju 88 bombers and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters. Allied bombings targeted the base in 1943-1944.
In August 1944, the Germans evacuated. General Leclerc’s forces stopped at Villacoublay. They then liberated Paris. After the war, the Americans rebuilt the base.
Since 1945, Villacoublay-Vélizy Air Base has focused on liaison and transport missions. Today, it hosts transport squadrons and helicopter units. It continues to play a vital role in French national security. The base remains a key location for the French Air and Space Force.