France’s Best Physical Trace Case

On January 8, 1981, farmer Renato Nicolaï watched a disc-shaped craft land on his property in Trans-en-Provence, France. The subsequent investigation by GEPAN—France’s official UFO study group—produced one of the most scientifically rigorous examinations of UFO physical evidence.

The Witness

Renato Nicolaï:

• 55 years old
• Farmer
• Working on terrace
• Afternoon
• Clear observation

The Sighting

January 8, 1981:

• Around 5:00 PM
• Heard whistling sound
• Saw object descend
• Land on property
• Brief duration

The Object

Nicolaï described:

• Disc-shaped
• About 2.5 meters diameter
• Lead-colored
• Two appendages beneath
• Silent on ground

The Landing

Object:

• Settled on ground
• Brief moment
• Then rose quickly
• Departed northwest
• Left traces

The Departure

Took off:

• With whistling sound
• Kicked up dust
• Rose rapidly
• Disappeared
• Entire event ~1 minute

The Physical Evidence

Ground showed:

• Circular impression
• Ring shape
• Compressed soil
• Visible marks
• Clear trace

Initial Response

Nicolaï:

• Reported to gendarmerie
• Officers visited
• Saw traces
• Photographed site
• Called GEPAN

GEPAN Investigation

France’s official agency:

• Groupe d’Études des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés
• Government funded
• Scientific protocols
• Immediate response
• Thorough study

The Analysis

GEPAN collected:

• Soil samples
• Plant samples
• Control samples
• From and around site
• Comprehensive collection

Laboratory Results

Testing revealed:

• Soil compacted
• By significant force
• Heat exposure
• Chemical changes
• Unusual findings

Plant Analysis

Vegetation showed:

• Chlorophyll reduction
• Photosynthesis affected
• Abnormal aging
• Compared to controls
• Measurable changes

The Biochemical Changes

Scientists found:

• 30-50% chlorophyll loss
• In affected plants
• Correlated with distance
• From landing site
• Gradient pattern

GEPAN Conclusion

Official report:

• Something landed
• Left physical traces
• Abnormal characteristics
• No conventional explanation
• Case unexplained

The Scientific Value

Trans-en-Provence notable:

• Official investigation
• Laboratory analysis
• Published findings
• Peer review
• Scientific rigor

Skeptical Views

Some argued:

• Mundane explanation
• Soil compression normal
• Plants coincidental
• But GEPAN disagreed
• Analysis stood

Nicolaï’s Credibility

The witness:

• Simple farmer
• No UFO interest
• Consistent story
• No profit seeking
• Reliable

International Interest

Case attracted:

• Global attention
• Scientific community
• UFO researchers
• Government interest
• Model investigation

Significance

Trans-en-Provence significant for:

• Government investigation
• Scientific analysis
• Physical evidence
• Biochemical changes
• Official unexplained

Legacy

The Trans-en-Provence case represents the gold standard for UFO physical trace investigations. GEPAN’s scientific rigor and honest conclusion—that the case remained unexplained—give it unique credibility in UFO research.