On May 5, 2025, France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, announced that the iconic Concorde 001, the first of the supersonic passenger planes ever built, has been officially designated as a historical monument.
This recognition marks a significant moment in the history of aviation, honoring the legacy of the Concorde, which revolutionized air travel in the 20th century.
Concorde 001, the prototype of the Franco-British supersonic aircraft, was the first of the 20 Concordes built and was the first to take to the skies in a successful test flight in 1969.
The aircraft is currently housed in the Aeroscopia museum, located just outside the southern French city of Toulouse. It remains a testament to the groundbreaking achievements of French and British aerospace engineering.
In her statement, Minister Dati emphasized the importance of Concorde 001 in the development of modern aviation. “This plane embodies France’s innovation and industrial strength in the aviation sector,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Concorde was a symbol of futuristic technology and ambition, offering passengers the ability to fly at supersonic speeds — faster than the speed of sound — and drastically reducing flight times.
The Concorde entered into commercial service in 1976, becoming the world’s only supersonic passenger aircraft. It provided elite travelers with the ability to journey between London or Paris and the U.S. east coast in just over three hours.
Its sleek design and technological advancements made it a symbol of luxury, with tickets often priced at a premium, catering to celebrities, business moguls, and heads of state.
However, the Concorde’s storied career came to a tragic end in 2003, following a devastating crash outside Paris that killed 113 people.
The crash occurred after debris on the runway punctured one of the aircraft’s tires, leading to a fire that brought the plane down shortly after takeoff.
The incident, combined with rising maintenance costs and economic factors, ultimately led to the Concorde’s retirement in 2003, three years after the fatal accident.
Despite its retirement, the Concorde’s legacy lives on. The plane remains etched in the memories of aviation enthusiasts and is now part of the historical and cultural fabric of France.
The Concorde 001 prototype, flown over Paris during the 1969 Paris Airshow, is remembered as a pioneering achievement in the history of flight.
The Concorde was a joint development between French and British aerospace companies, which would later become part of Airbus and BAE Systems.
The aircraft was operated by both Air France and British Airways, each of which played a role in showcasing the potential of supersonic travel.
According to the French Ministry of Culture, 18 of the 20 Concordes produced have been preserved in museums around the world, with six located in France.
These planes serve as a reminder of human ingenuity and the ambition to push the boundaries of what is possible in aviation.
Minister Dati further emphasized that preserving Concorde 001 is crucial for future generations. “Its preservation will provide future generations an example of our aeronautical expertise and futuristic vision,” she said.
As Concorde 001 takes its rightful place as a historical monument, it remains an enduring symbol of innovation, luxury, and the dreams of supersonic flight that captivated the world during its time in service.
