Hart O. Berg, Wilbur Wright, and Mrs. Hart O. Berg in Berg’s Paris apartment, 1908

Wilbur Wright traveled to Le Mans, France, in May 1908. He spent June and July assembling a 1907 model Wright Flyer which had been shipped to France the previous year. This Flyer was based on the design of the modified 1905 Wright Flyer and was equipped with two seats and a stick to control wing warping, instead of the old hip cradle. This design subsequently became known as the Wright Model A.

Wilbur was offered space to work in the automobile factory of Léon Bollée. On August 8, 1908 he made his first European flight consisting of two rounds over the Hunaudières race course south of Le Mans. Seeking a larger, and less obstructed flying field, Wilbur moved his demonstrations to Camp d’Auvours, an artillery range east of Le Mans. His demonstration flights, which set many world records, continued at Camp d’Auvours until December 31, 1908.