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The UFO Phenomenon

French town upholds ban on flying saucers

By T.K. Randall
October 28, 2016 · Comment icon 11 comments

This is one town where UFOs are most certainly not welcome. Image Credit: PD - Album Laincel
The town has long refused to lift a ban on UFOs following a mysterious encounter over 60 years ago.
Situated in the south of France around 7.5 miles to the north of Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape remains a firm tourist favorite in the region due to its idyllic setting and ruined medieval castle.

Perhaps the most notable thing of all about the town however is its bizarre UFO law which forbids extraterrestrial vehicles from flying overhead or landing within the vicinity.

"Any aircraft, known as flying saucer or flying cigar, which should land on the territory of the community will be immediately held in custody," the law reads.

It was established in 1954 after a local man reported witnessing two 'deep sea divers' emerging from a 'cigar-shaped spacecraft' in the local area.
These days the law is regarded as more of a light-hearted curiosity than a serious legal restriction and the mayor, Claude Avril, refuses to lift it on the basis that it 'makes a buzz' for the town.

Even the original implementation of the law was believed to have been a publicity stunt.

"At that time, people were talking a lot about extraterrestrials and the unknown, it was in fashion, and there were loads of stories circulating," said Elie Jeune, son of then-mayor Lucien Young.

"He wanted to make a bit of an advertisement for Châteauneuf."

"It was an excellent publicity stunt... and free."

Source: Russia Today | Comments (11)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #2 Posted by preacherman76 7 years ago
To funny 
Comment icon #3 Posted by Goodf3llow 7 years ago
*Too
Comment icon #4 Posted by woopypooky 7 years ago
as if the flying saucers will actually care....
Comment icon #5 Posted by Kurzweil 7 years ago
Yeah, the French banning ufos. That's something. Didn't these guys hide under a carpet during any war? Now the aliens should be threatened by their ban.
Comment icon #6 Posted by UFOwatcher 7 years ago
"publicity stunt"   Exactly and right up there with a ghost in my pub....
Comment icon #7 Posted by Maars 7 years ago
This is very funny.....nearly laughed myself into hospital
Comment icon #8 Posted by paperdyer 7 years ago
I certainly don't.  Of course you have to give them credit for taking a stand.  Just say no to UFO landings!
Comment icon #9 Posted by Codenwarra 7 years ago
Yes, if you don't count the Battles of the Marne, the Somme, Verdun and countless others 1914 -1918. The French army was blindsided by the German advance through the Ardennes in 1940, just like the British were. They were all in the wrong place.  Then their command structure started issuing contradictory orders and finally a fascist clique in their government took over.  Sneering at the French is a direct result of their refusal to join the invasion of Iraq.  
Comment icon #10 Posted by Codenwarra 7 years ago
This actually reminds me of when Skylab fell from orbit.  A few pieces landed in Western Australia and the local authorities fined NASA for littering.  That was a joke then, just in case.  
Comment icon #11 Posted by highdesert50 7 years ago
Perhaps a bit tongue-in-cheek as adroitly as the French can do. But, also a bit of history capturing the more open if not naive belief that we were being visited by bipedal aliens in silver suits.


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