The Valensole UFO Landing

On the morning of July 1, 1965, French lavender farmer Maurice Masse encountered a landed craft and two small beings in his field near Valensole, Provence. The case, featuring physical trace evidence and a highly credible witness, became one of France’s most important UFO incidents.

The Farmer

Maurice Masse was a 41-year-old lavender farmer, former Resistance fighter during World War II, and town councilman. He was considered honest and reliable by everyone who knew him. He had no interest in or knowledge of UFOs before his encounter.

The Encounter

At approximately 5:45 AM, Masse was inspecting his lavender field when he heard a whistling sound. Looking toward the noise, he saw what he initially thought was a helicopter in his field.

Approaching to investigate—and to confront whoever had been stealing his plants—Masse discovered not a helicopter but an egg-shaped craft resting on six legs with a central pivot.

Near the craft stood two small beings, apparently examining a lavender plant.

The Beings

Masse described the entities as:

• Approximately 4 feet tall
• Large, bald heads
• Smooth, pale skin
• Large, almond-shaped eyes that wrapped around the sides of the head
• Small, lipless mouths
• Pointed chins
• Wearing tight, one-piece green coveralls
• No visible ears

When Masse approached within 15-20 feet, one being pointed a tube-like device at him. He immediately became paralyzed, unable to move or speak but fully conscious.

The Departure

The beings returned to their craft, which rose with a whistling sound, pivoting on its central column. It departed to the west at high speed, eventually vanishing.

Masse remained paralyzed for approximately 15 minutes before mobility gradually returned.

Physical Effects

The encounter left lasting effects:

On Masse: He experienced extreme fatigue for weeks and reportedly slept 12-14 hours daily for months. His personality seemed changed—more contemplative and withdrawn.

On the Field: The landing site showed:

• A hardened, bowl-shaped depression
• Soil that resisted moisture (remained dry for years)
• An area where lavender would not grow for a decade

Investigation

The case was investigated by French authorities and ufologists:

• Gendarmes interviewed Masse extensively
• Jacques Vallée investigated in depth
• Aimé Michel documented the case
• Physical traces were examined and photographed

Masse was consistent under repeated questioning and seemed genuinely affected by his experience.

Comparison to Socorro

Investigators noted striking similarities between Valensole and the 1964 Socorro, New Mexico incident:

• Single credible witness
• Egg-shaped craft on legs
• Small humanoid occupants
• Physical trace evidence
• Profound effect on witness

The parallel elements suggested either remarkable coincidence or a consistent phenomenon.

Later Statements

Masse maintained his account until his death in 2004. He rarely discussed the incident and refused to profit from it. He reportedly told confidants that the beings had communicated something to him that he would never reveal.

In later years, he described having friendly feelings toward the visitors, despite his initial terror.

Legacy

The Valensole encounter is considered one of the strongest close encounter cases due to:

• Highly credible witness
• Detailed, consistent account
• Physical trace evidence
• Long-term effects on witness and site
• Parallels to other credible cases

Maurice Masse’s reluctance to discuss the incident and refusal to profit from it enhanced rather than diminished his credibility. He simply reported what happened and lived with the consequences.