Sky lanterns on Bastille Day eve in Saint-Malo

Summary

On the night of 14 July 2008, a witness in Saint-Malo saw a dark triangular object with yellow-orange lights at each corner, moving silently from southwest to northeast. It disappeared before the witness could go outside for a clearer look. Conditions were ideal: clear sky, good visibility and low light pollution. A light breeze matched the object's trajectory. GEIPAN concluded it was several sky lanterns carried by the wind, whose apparent proximity could have given the impression of a single large object. The festive date — Bastille Day eve — made the launch of such lights highly likely.