Red object with black band hovering low near Épinal

Summary

In the early hours of July 10, 1976, a motorist driving through the Vosges region spotted an unknown object hovering at low altitude over the road. He described it as roughly 4 to 5 meters long and 1 meter in diameter, bright red with a black band running along its body, and what appeared to be a cabin on top fitted with a flashing light. As the car approached, the object seemed to reverse direction as though moving toward the witness, frightening him into driving away immediately. The gendarmerie was unable to gather any further information about the incident.