Sighting in Lambesc, July 22, 2021

At night, between 10:00 and 10:30 pm, a witness who was with a friend noticed a strange light in the sky, made up of "6 white balls" set along a bar. They first thought of a constellation of satellites, then dismissed the idea because the whole thing looked far too large. The phenomenon, which seemed close at first, disappeared and then came back twice, each time farther away. The witness took photos with their phone, but they could not be used. After a third appearance, in the east as every time, the phenomenon did not return. The GEIPAN received only one account.

The investigation showed that the Salon-de-Provence air base, which is home to the Patrouille de France, and the Air Force's CNOA radar track map both confirmed a flight that day at around 10:00 to 10:30 pm. This night flight takes place only once a year and can be a surprising sight for anyone unaware of it; it was what startled the witness and led them to report the sighting. The precise testimony, the Flightradar and CNOA maps, the reply from the Patrouille de France and other accounts in the media leave no doubt. The GEIPAN classified the case as A: a mistaken identification of a Patrouille de France night flight.