Valensole

Event Summary

Maurice Masse was a respected lavender farmer in Valensole, known for his reliability and integrity. On the morning of July 1, 1965, Masse set out to work in his lavender field, located a short distance from his home. As he went about his routine, he heard an unusual whistling sound that drew his attention.

Encounter with the UFO
Curious about the source of the sound, Masse walked towards it and was astonished to find an egg-shaped object with six thin legs and a central pedestal standing in his field. The object was approximately 15 feet wide and appeared metallic, with a smooth and reflective surface. It stood on a small clearing amidst the rows of lavender, casting a shadow on the ground.

As he approached closer, Masse noticed two small humanoid beings standing near the object. These beings were less than four feet tall, with oversized heads, slanted eyes, and smooth white skin. They wore grayish-green one-piece coveralls that covered their entire bodies. The beings were engaged in some activity near the craft, which Masse could not comprehend. They emitted a "grumbling" noise, which Masse described as peculiar and unlike any sound he had heard before.

Physical Encounter and Paralysis
When Masse got within a few meters of the craft, one of the beings pointed a small, pencil-like device at him. Instantly, Masse found himself paralyzed and unable to move. He stood there, immobilized, for about 20 minutes, watching as the beings continued their activities. During this time, Masse observed the details of the craft and the beings closely. The UFO had a seamless construction, with no visible seams or joints, and emitted a faint humming noise.

Departure of the UFO
After completing whatever task they were engaged in, the two beings re-entered the egg-shaped craft. The object then began to rise slowly, retracting its legs and central pedestal into its body. Once airborne, the craft accelerated rapidly and disappeared into the sky within seconds, leaving Masse alone in the field.

Physical Evidence at the Site
Following the departure of the UFO, Masse regained his mobility and began to examine the area where the craft had landed. He found a deep, round hole in the ground, surrounded by a hardened, concrete-like substance. The lavender plants in the immediate vicinity of the landing site showed signs of distress and decay, with some of the plants wilting and turning brown.

Soil samples taken from the site revealed abnormally high levels of calcium, which was unusual for the area. The hardened area around the hole seemed to have been subjected to intense heat, causing the soil to fuse and form a cement-like crust. These physical traces provided tangible evidence that something unusual had occurred at the site.

Investigation and Analysis
The Valensole incident was thoroughly investigated by both official and civilian organizations. Local authorities, including the gendarmerie (French police), took Masse's report seriously and conducted an initial investigation. They documented the physical traces and collected soil and plant samples for analysis.

Prominent UFO researchers, including Jacques Vallée, also investigated the case. Vallée described the Valensole incident as one of the best-authenticated close encounter incidents in continental Europe. The thorough investigation and the presence of physical evidence added significant credibility to Masse's account.

Witness Credibility and Behavior
Maurice Masse was known as a reliable and credible individual in his community. The local police, who were familiar with Masse, affirmed his integrity and found no reason to doubt his account. Additionally, Masse's behavior following the incident lent further credibility to his story.

For several months after the encounter, Masse experienced significant changes in his sleep patterns and behavior. He reported feeling extremely tired and slept much longer than usual, often for 12 to 14 hours a day. His family and neighbors noticed these changes and confirmed that Masse had been deeply affected by the experience.

Communication and Interaction
During the encounter, Masse felt a sense of communication with the beings, although he could not understand their language. He described the experience as telepathic, with thoughts and feelings being conveyed without spoken words. This sense of communication added another layer of complexity to the encounter, suggesting that the beings had advanced capabilities beyond human understanding.

Event Details