All News Press (Great Britain)

Do you dream of being able to dine in space one day? He wants to make it possible by 2025.

Make marriage proposals possible in space? This is the somewhat crazy dream that Nicolas Garreau, the man behind the events agency ApoteoSurprise, wants to realize. His idea ? Offering a gastronomic experience 35 kilometers above the Earth, aboard a weather balloon, with a gourmet chef to accompany this unique moment, billed at 750,000 euros all the same. Achievable scientific feat or simple fantasy? Nicolas Garreau revealed to 20 minutes behind the scenes of his project, the realization of which nevertheless remains uncertain despite the announced date of 2025.

A dinner not so far from the earth

“This adventure would extend over seven hours, approximately three of which are spent thirty-five kilometers from Earth, with an hour and a half dedicated to the ascent and descent,” explains Nicolas Garreau, enthusiastic about the idea of ​​seeing birth your project. In negotiations with several space companies whose names he does not wish to reveal, he imagined an excursion not aboard a space shuttle but a stratospheric balloon. Already used for weather forecasts, the balloons he mentions are the subject of ongoing development to be adapted to space tourism. A project which is developing internationally and also in France in the space companies Zephalto or Stratoflight.

“On board, you can have the impression of moving in space, although the spatial boundary is set at 100 kilometers altitude according to specialists,” he continues. The balloon, inflated with helium, will ensure a shake-free experience and reduce risks. » Nicolas Garreau hopes to have operational balloons soon, in order to be able to market his scenario by 2025. His objective is clear: to create a romantic and gastronomic setting to complete the excursion into space, with a completely privatized gondola, a French chef on board and an autonomous robot equipped with artificial intelligence serving the couple. A dream that is currently difficult to realize due to the inaccessibility of stratospheric balloons for tourist purposes.

An ambitious environmentally friendly project

“It is a service that is both ultramodern, futuristic and in line with the current ecological trend,” believes the founder of ApoteoSurprise. The balloon rises using helium, so it does not cause any pollution upon takeoff. »

A promise which remains hypothetical due to the possible dysfunctionality of the balloon. Despite the high cost of the scenario and the still non-existent demand for such a service, the organizer remains optimistic. “I have already worked for heads of state, players from the French football team, or even American actors, for example.” For marriage proposal evenings which generally did not exceed 10,000 euros. So 750,000 euros…

Passionate about space, Nicolas Garreau closely follows the progress of companies organizing tourist space expeditions. And already thinking about a next challenge: the trip to the moon. Inspired by the Artemis program, he announced last September a next scenario at €125,000,000 which he envisages from 2027…

Even if you had the means, the crazy adventures planned by ApoteoSurprise obviously cannot yet be booked on the site. Which doesn’t stop Nicolas Garreau from continuing to look for new ideas for exceptional marriage proposals, always with his head in the stars.