Red balls over Saint-Maixent on December 25, 2014

Summary

A witness in Saint-Maixent-l'École observed two red glowing spheres moving silently and gently eastward before disappearing. Although it might initially seem unusual, the report suggests these were likely Thai lanterns launched during a private celebration. These traditional lights, common during festive occasions, appeared on a festive night, and their eastward movement aligns with the recorded northwest wind in the area. The GEIPAN classified the case as "B," indicating a clear observation of Thai lanterns.

The witness's description is detailed and clear, helping to rule out more exotic explanations. The match between the movement direction and the actual weather conditions supports the hypothesis of lanterns. This case is a good example of how unusual aerial phenomena can have simple and cultural explanations, without the need for more complex hypotheses.