[N118] de BORDEAUX (33) vers NANTES (44) 07.07.2007

A report described as received in 2016 concerns a sighting on 7 July 2007 at about 03:00. A driver and his friend, traveling on the N118 in the direction described as Bordeaux–Nantes, saw a nearby glowing green sphere with a pale green halo moving erratically with frequent direction changes. It disappeared after about 20 seconds. The witness considered ball lightning but rejected it because he reported no thunderstorm. He also noted the proximity of the CEA facility at Saclay. Only 1 account was collected. A consulted expert found the behavior, duration and color compatible with ball lightning. The source later describes the report as arriving 11 years after the event, inconsistent with its stated 2016 report date. GEIPAN says that the delay prevented access to weather data, including possible thunderstorm conditions, that might support the hypothesis. It classifies the case C, close to a possible B classification for ball lightning.