SkyUnknown

What UFOs turn out to be

Balloons mistaken for UFOs

Weather services launch radiosonde balloons every day; they climb above 30 kilometres, swelling until they burst. Lit by the sun while the ground is already in shadow, they shine like nearly motionless metallic dots.

Party balloons (often foil), balloon releases and stratospheric research balloons complete the list. An object drifting slowly with the wind, without blinking lights, is a good candidate.

SkyUnknown lists 197 UFO sightings explained as a balloon, from 1954 to 2025, drawn from official records: GEIPAN (CNES) for 195 cases and Aeronautica Militare (Italie) for 2. The busiest year was 2015, with 15 cases.

Most frequently named places: Nice (4), Toulon (3), Perpignan (2), La Motte-Servolex (2), and Annemasse (2).

cases
197
unidentified
0
period
1954–2025
sources
2
Map of the cases

Notable cases

The most complete records: account of the sighting, conclusion of the official investigation.

Other explanations

Sightings by decade

3
1950s1
1960s3
1970s5
1980s7
1990s22
2000s91
2010s65
2020s

By country

All sightings

DatePlaceStatus
October 12, 2025Bischwiller · Bas-RhinProbably explained
August 7, 2025NouméaProbably explained
June 22, 2025ParisExplained
May 11, 2025Saint-Genis-Pouilly · AinProbably explained
May 10, 2025Metz · MoselleProbably explained
March 9, 2025Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Mesmin · LoiretProbably explained
February 1, 2025Tours · Indre-et-LoireProbably explained
January 25, 2025Artigues-près-Bordeaux · GirondeProbably explained
October 29, 2024Annoeullin · NordExplained
September 20, 2024Daglan · DordogneExplained
September 15, 2024Rilhac-Rancon · Haute-VienneExplained
September 15, 2024Saint-Priest-la-Plaine · CreuseExplained
September 7, 2024Sainghin-en-Weppes · NordExplained
August 31, 2024Porchères · GirondeProbably explained
August 26, 2024Noisy-le-Grand · Seine-Saint-DenisProbably explained
August 20, 2024Biscarrosse · LandesExplained
July 29, 2024Échirolles · IsèreProbably explained
June 18, 2024Rennes · Ille-et-VilaineExplained
March 12, 2024Villeneuve-Loubet · Alpes-MaritimesExplained
March 3, 2024Plabennec · FinistèreExplained
February 6, 2024ParisProbably explained
September 24, 2023Puilboreau · Charente-MaritimeProbably explained
September 6, 2023Châteaugiron · Ille-et-VilaineProbably explained
August 19, 2023Lias · GersProbably explained
July 16, 2023Cessieu · IsèreExplained
July 4, 2023Cavalaire-sur-Mer · VarExplained
June 28, 2023Évry-Courcouronnes · EssonneExplained
June 4, 2023Sceaux · Hauts-de-SeineExplained
May 28, 2023Mâron · IndreProbably explained
May 27, 2023Brezolles · Eure-et-LoirExplained
March 16, 2023Verneuil d'Avre et d'Iton · EureExplained
February 16, 2023Meyreuil · Bouches-du-RhôneExplained
July 14, 2022La Montagne · Loire-AtlantiqueProbably explained
June 15, 2022Bailleul · NordExplained
June 12, 2022Chanteloup-en-Brie · Seine-et-MarneExplained
April 10, 2022Montbrison · LoireExplained
March 19, 2022Marzan · MorbihanProbably explained
February 17, 2022Palaiseau · EssonneProbably explained
January 31, 2022Marmande · Lot-et-GaronneProbably explained
January 22, 2022Annemasse · Haute-SavoieExplained
January 12, 2022Pont-à-Mousson · Meurthe-et-MoselleExplained
November 27, 2021Toulon · VarExplained
October 24, 2021Mérignac · GirondeExplained
October 17, 2021Warlus · Pas-de-CalaisExplained
October 16, 2021Marseille · Bouches-du-RhôneExplained
October 14, 2021Garches · Hauts-de-SeineExplained
September 4, 2021Orgon · Bouches-du-RhôneExplained
September 3, 2021Groslay · Val-d'OiseExplained
August 20, 2021La Garde · VarExplained
July 23, 2021Villefranche-sur-Mer · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
July 17, 2021La Seyne-sur-Mer · VarExplained
June 22, 2021Pontarlier · DoubsProbably explained
June 14, 2021Saint-Medars-d'Eyrans · GirondeProbably explained
June 6, 2021Gondecourt · NordExplained
June 5, 2021Creil · OiseExplained
February 21, 2021Strasbourg · Bas-RhinExplained
November 25, 2020Marssac-sur-Tarn · TarnProbably explained
August 8, 2020Mas-Grenier · Tarn-et-GaronneExplained
August 8, 2020Uzès · GardProbably explained
August 5, 2020Borée · ArdècheExplained
July 29, 2020Saint-Ouen-les-Vignes · Indre-et-LoireExplained
June 20, 2020Gradignan · GirondeProbably explained
April 23, 2020Ballon Sonde — (reg) Ile-de-FranceExplained
March 8, 2020Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne · DordogneProbably explained
January 21, 2020Belfort · Territoire de BelfortExplained
October 25, 2019Case-Pilote · MartiniqueExplained
September 14, 2019Gigny · YonneExplained
August 25, 2019Lurcy-Lévis · AllierExplained
August 25, 2019ParisProbably explained
July 14, 2019Billy-Montigny · Pas-de-CalaisProbably explained
June 29, 2019Montpellier · HéraultProbably explained
May 23, 2019Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer · VarProbably explained
April 24, 2019Romilly-sur-Aigre · Eure-et-LoirExplained
February 15, 2019Torpes (25) · VosgesExplained
September 8, 2018Sciez · Haute-SavoieExplained
August 23, 2018Houilles · YvelinesExplained
July 31, 2018Menat · Puy-de-DômeProbably explained
June 3, 2018Chambéry · SavoieProbably explained
June 2, 2018La Motte-Servolex · SavoieProbably explained
May 29, 2018Toulon · VarExplained
December 12, 2017Pont-Saint-Esprit · GardProbably explained
November 12, 2017Schoelcher · MartiniqueExplained
July 29, 2017Le Cannet · Alpes-MaritimesExplained
July 12, 2017Pau · Pyrénées-AtlantiquesProbably explained
June 9, 2017Saint-Denis · La RéunionExplained
April 12, 2017Saint-Brieuc · Côtes-d'ArmorProbably explained
November 7, 2016Noisy-le-Sec · Seine-Saint-DenisProbably explained
August 25, 2016Arles · Bouches-du-RhôneExplained
August 23, 2016Narcy · NièvreProbably explained
August 23, 2016Terrasson-Lavilledieu · DordogneProbably explained
August 21, 2016Villefranche-sur-Mer · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
June 27, 2016Gagny · Seine-Saint-DenisExplained
December 24, 2015Évry · EssonneProbably explained
November 27, 2015Léguevin · Haute-GaronneProbably explained
October 3, 2015Fouras · Charente-MaritimeProbably explained
September 26, 2015Haréville · VosgesProbably explained
August 29, 2015Châtillon · Hauts-de-SeineProbably explained
August 14, 2015Crozon · FinistèreProbably explained
August 8, 2015Mougins · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
August 2, 2015Avolsheim · Bas-RhinProbably explained
June 24, 2015Brunstatt · Haut-RhinProbably explained
June 16, 2015Cannes · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
June 6, 2015Clamart · Hauts-de-SeineProbably explained
June 5, 2015Schiltigheim · Bas-RhinExplained
May 4, 2015ParisProbably explained
April 13, 2015Gien · LoiretProbably explained
March 6, 2015Lavalette · Haute-GaronneProbably explained
September 17, 2014Mougins · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
August 16, 2014Cergy · Val-d'OiseProbably explained
July 31, 2014Lorgues · VarProbably explained
June 24, 2014Muret · Haute-GaronneProbably explained
March 6, 2014Villeurbanne · RhôneExplained
November 3, 2013Saint-Benoît-des-Ondes · Ille-et-VilaineProbably explained
October 27, 2013Collobrières · VarProbably explained
October 22, 2013Munster · Haut-RhinProbably explained
October 11, 2013Aigues-Mortes · GardProbably explained
October 9, 2013Allonne · OiseProbably explained
September 7, 2013Poissy · YvelinesProbably explained
August 21, 2013Nice · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
August 16, 2013La Gaude · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
June 9, 2013Quincy-sous-Sénart · EssonneProbably explained
June 6, 2013La Motte-Servolex · SavoieProbably explained
May 3, 2013Nice · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
April 14, 2013Plaisir · YvelinesProbably explained
December 1, 2012ParisProbably explained
September 29, 2012Boulogne-Billancourt · Hauts-de-SeineExplained
September 17, 2012Vern-sur-Seiche · Ille-et-VilaineProbably explained
September 15, 2012Grasse · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
September 2, 2012Monétay-sur-Allier · AllierExplained
August 23, 2012Toulon · VarProbably explained
August 8, 2012Mortemart · Haute-VienneProbably explained
August 5, 2012Èze · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
July 9, 2012Saint-Maur-des-Fossés · Val-de-MarneProbably explained
May 30, 2012Coulaines · SartheProbably explained
April 29, 2012Moulins-lès-Metz · MoselleProbably explained
February 19, 2012Arès · GirondeProbably explained
November 6, 2011La Ville-du-Bois · EssonneProbably explained
October 30, 2011Blanquefort · GirondeProbably explained
October 1, 2011Carrières-sous-Poissy · YvelinesProbably explained
May 29, 2011Nice · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
April 8, 2011Franconville · Val-d'OiseExplained
March 20, 2011Vernouillet · Eure-et-LoirProbably explained
January 27, 2011Marcorignan · AudeProbably explained
January 9, 2011La FoaProbably explained
November 14, 2010Menton · Alpes-MaritimesExplained
September 24, 2010Sargé-lès-le-Mans · SartheExplained
September 19, 2010Dole · JuraProbably explained
September 19, 2010ParisProbably explained
September 11, 2010Antibes · Alpes-MaritimesExplained
August 13, 2010Perpignan · Pyrénées-OrientalesProbably explained
July 18, 2010Albi · TarnProbably explained
July 18, 2010Canteleu · Seine-MaritimeProbably explained
June 12, 2010Toulouse · Haute-GaronneProbably explained
June 3, 2010Fontenay-sous-Bois · Val-de-MarneProbably explained
May 1, 2010Sallanches · Haute-SavoieProbably explained
January 21, 2010Saint François Longchamp · SavoieProbably explained
November 12, 2009Changé · SartheProbably explained
September 26, 2009Meroux · Territoire de BelfortProbably explained
July 25, 2009Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert · LoireProbably explained
April 9, 2009Pontarlier · DoubsProbably explained
April 4, 2009Saint-Denis · Seine-Saint-DenisExplained
January 1, 2009MontreuxProbably explained
November 7, 2008Bois-Guillaume · Seine-MaritimeProbably explained
August 30, 2008Ablis · YvelinesExplained
August 15, 2008Féchain · NordProbably explained
July 30, 2008ParisProbably explained
June 23, 2008Perpignan · Pyrénées-OrientalesExplained
March 29, 2008Issy-les-Moulineaux · Hauts-de-SeineProbably explained
November 1, 2007Orléans · LoiretProbably explained
September 18, 2007Les Arcs · VarProbably explained
August 23, 2007Roubaix · NordProbably explained
August 5, 2007Chambley-Bussières · Meurthe-et-MoselleExplained
August 4, 2007Vielle-Saint-Girons · LandesProbably explained
June 30, 2007Annemasse · Haute-SavoieExplained
June 30, 2007La Roche-sur-Foron · Haute-SavoieExplained
December 15, 2006Le Havre · Seine-MaritimeProbably explained
October 20, 2002Annecy-le-Vieux · Haute-SavoieProbably explained
January 7, 2000Rambouillet · YvelinesProbably explained
March 17, 1997Cabestany · Pyrénées-OrientalesProbably explained
October 9, 1994Saint-Cirgues · Haute-LoireProbably explained
July 31, 1994Allauch · Bouches-du-RhôneProbably explained
June 29, 1993La Condamine-Châtelard · Alpes-de-Haute-ProvenceProbably explained
June 27, 1993Le Port-Marly · YvelinesProbably explained
May 16, 1993Norges-la-Ville · Côte-d'OrProbably explained
May 2, 1990Bou · LoiretProbably explained
July 18, 1989« Lac d'Opale (le) » Estaing · Hautes-PyrénéesProbably explained
August 6, 1982Mont-Saint-Aignan · Seine-MaritimeProbably explained
December 19, 1981Nice · Alpes-MaritimesProbably explained
November 16, 1980Monte San VicinoProbably explained
September 1, 1980Avon-les-Roches · Indre-et-LoireProbably explained
September 13, 1979MortaraExplained
July 13, 1979Fréjus · VarProbably explained
December 14, 1976AjaccioExplained
July 23, 1965Blois · Loir-et-CherProbably explained
September 14, 1959SaliProbably explained
September 20, 1956Brioude · Haute-LoireProbably explained
October 6, 1954Crépy-en-Valois · OiseProbably explained
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The figures on this page are computed from the official records cited on each case. See sources and method