In Muret, drones and a fireworks display pay tribute to Clément Ader
On July 13, 2025, the town of Muret paid a fitting tribute to one of its most visionary sons: Clément Ader.
To mark the 100th anniversary of his death, more than 15,000 people gathered at the city’s North Stadium to witness a spectacular event.
Who was Clément Ader?
A French engineer and inventor, and an iconic figure among aviation pioneers, Clément Ader was born in Muret, near Toulouse. He first made a name for himself in telecommunications by creating the first Parisian telephone network and inventing the “théâtrophone,” which allowed people to listen to performances from a distance.
But he is best remembered for his attempts at powered flight: with his aircraft called “Avion” (a term he coined), inspired by bats and equipped with steam engines, he is said to have made one of the first powered flights in history on October 9, 1890, traveling about fifty meters in his “Éole.”
Although historians still debate whether this flight actually took place, Ader is still regarded as one of the pioneers of aviation worldwide, and his name is now used for many French aviation facilities.
A July 13 Like No Other in Muret
An early evening full of promise
Late in the afternoon, the residents of Muret gathered in a friendly atmosphere to share an outdoor meal. On the menu: cassoulet or tajine! Just the thing to whet their appetites for the evening!
An orchestra then set the tone: a festive one.
The atmosphere was pleasant, the conversations lively, and around 10:30 p.m., everyone’s eyes turned toward the sky.
When Drones and Fireworks Tell a Story
For 20 minutes, 300 drones danced across the sky, alternating with fireworks displays, in a visual narrative designed to retrace the major milestones in Clément Ader’s life: his inventions, his genius, and his dream of getting humans to fly.
This narrative performance, conceived in close collaboration with city officials and produced in partnership with TAC (Toulouse Artifice Créations), truly resonated with the audience.
Drones have brought symbols to life: airplanes, gears, winged figures…
Each scene echoed Ader’s legacy, while the fireworks punctuated the story with power and emotion.
A memorable moment and a shared emotion
That evening, the sky over Muret did more than just shine. It told a story. It told the story of a man, but also of a region proud of its roots and resolutely focused on innovation.
The performance sparked a strong reaction on the town of Muret’s social media platforms:
“A memorable show”
“A wonderful story”
“A spectacular fireworks display, just like every year, made even more impressive by the remarkable drone show retracing the history of Clément Ader’s inventions”
“The fireworks and drones were AMAZING!!! An unforgettable show!”
A great success for the city of Muret, Toulouse Artifice Créations, and Allumee, who collaborated to create this spectacular event.
