Rectangular lights in Libourne 2012

Summary

On March 4, 2012, a driver and her passenger in Gironde witnessed something unusual. Stopped at a traffic light, they saw four white lights forming a rectangle several meters above the ground. The lights moved from right to left and disappeared at the height of the tree tops. No unusual noise was heard. The GEIPAN initially considered the possibility of a wind-borne object, but the wind direction did not match the movement. After checking with military air traffic control, no aircraft were found in the area. A GEIPAN investigator visited the site at night and recorded a similar phenomenon: headlights from oncoming cars reflecting on the railway overhead wires. These reflections moved from right to left and disappeared, just as described by the witnesses. Although the report suggests this explains the observation, the witness did not wish to meet the investigator for further clarification. The case was finally classified as "B", meaning it is likely a reflection of car headlights on the railway catenaries.