SAINT-OUEN-LES-VIGNES (37) 29.07.2020

Early on 29 July 2020, 2 residents of Saint-Ouen-les-Vignes (37) clearly observed a dark object emitting a white stroboscopic light. Every 5–6 sequences, an incandescent red light rose from below and lit up the whole object. The UAP hovered for a quarter of an hour, then moved horizontally very slowly from southwest to southeast, stopping regularly. One witness recorded short smartphone videos. GEIPAN finds low strangeness and very good evidential substance, with 2 witnesses and videos, and identifies a hot-air balloon; see the investigation report. The video appearance and descriptions could suggest a distant drone or hot-air balloon. GEIPAN rules out a drone because the shape is a poor fit. A hot-air balloon fits several features: a rounded shape; light below it; a red glow spreading upward from below, strongly resembling a burner's flame; and a powerful white strobe matching lights used on hot-air balloons during night flights. The viewing direction was towards the Loire Valley, particularly the areas of the châteaux of Amboise (37) and Chenonceau (37), where several hot-air balloon flights took place early on 29 July at compatible times. GEIPAN classifies the case A: observation of a hot-air balloon.