Eutelsat Balloon in Paris
 

Has anyone ever done the Eutelsat Balloon in Paris?

Yes, several times. It's a great way to get a bird's eye view of Paris without the crowds and lines of the Eiffel Tower or the stairs at Notre Dame or the Arc de Triomphe.

The balloon is tethered and only goes up if the winds are light. It ascends and descends pretty smoothly. It will wobble a bit while it's up there, but not too bad. The basket is, of course, much bigger than the normal basket of a hot air balloon and can hold about 30 people, as I recall. On the times I went up, there were only a handful (never more than a dozen). A staffer rides up with you...it's not just the passengers.

The Parc Andre Citroen where the balloon is tethered (or was, when I rode it) is a nice place to picnic, esp. with kids, as you are free to spread a blanket on the grass and run around. (No dogs allowed so you won't be stepping in any poop.)

How far would that be from the Eiffel Tower?

Anybody know how long the ride lasts?

The whole experience (from ascent to landing) takes between half an hour to 45 minutes. Sometimes less if the winds start to kick up, they are very careful not to send (or keep) the balloon up if the conditions aren't optimal.
You'll have to wait a bit if the balloon is ascending or already up when you arrive.
The Parc Andre Citroen is in the 15th arrondissement. It's not a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. You get a good view of the Tower from the balloon. Also a good view of some of the killer penthouses with their large roof terraces in the apartment buildings facing the park.