Why did a helicopter fly under the Eiffel Tower?

Since May 27, 2024, helicopters have been regularly seen flying at low altitudes above the French capital city of Paris. 

But what is the reason for these daring flights? The Paris Police Prefecture recently explained.  

“As part of the preparation for the upcoming 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the National Gendarmerie will conduct several low-altitude helicopter flights over Paris from May 27 to 31, 2024, between 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM, at a rate of 4 to 5 flights per day, depending on weather conditions,” the prefecture explained in a statement. 

The helicopters operate from Vélizy-Villacoublay Air Base located southwest of Paris and housing the National Gendarmerie Air Force Command. 

Impressive footage shared on social media even shows an Airbus H145 flying between the pillars of the Eiffel Tower. 

The system seen installed on the helicopter’s skids is the HELINUC, developed by the French Commission for Atomic Energy to conduct airborne gamma mapping. This allows for the mapping of radio-nuclear activity.  

The operation aims to produce reference mapping for operational preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The police authority explained that these flights, although spectacular, have no impact on the overflown areas. Similar operations have already been carried out in other French cities that will welcome the games.