Niort 1997, UFOs or disco lights?

Summary

A driver and passengers observed a whitish oval shape in the cloudy sky over Niort in August 1997, with smaller oval forms rotating around it. The phenomenon lasted several hours, from multiple locations including the witness's home, where several photos were taken with a disposable camera. All photos turned out black, causing confusion. Only one testimony was recorded, and the witness could not recall the exact date.

GEIPAN investigators concluded this was likely a "skytracer," a type of projector used by nightclubs to create light displays in the sky. These devices produce oval shapes rotating around a central point, matching the description. The cloudy night, festive summer evening, and lack of noise support this theory. Additionally, skytracers were popular at the time and often used at night. Although no clear image was captured, the phenomenon's characteristics align with these projectors.