Story of the day

July 1, 1965· L'Olivol lavender field, near Valensole, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (then Basses-Alpes)

Valensole Encounter (Maurice Masse)

1 July 1965. Early morning on the Valensole plateau in Provence. Lavender farmer Maurice Masse was in his field before work. He heard a whistling sound. He went to look. On the ground sat a strange machine, shaped like a rugby ball and the size of a small Renault car. It stood on six legs and a central pivot. Beside it were two small beings in one-piece suits. One of them raised his right arm, an object in hand. Masse could not move.