The index page for the 1954 French flap section of this website is here.
Reference for this case: 5-oct-54-Clermont.
Please cite this reference in any correspondence with me regarding this case.
The most detailed source on this case would be, according to the regional catalog of the "landings" of the Info-OVNI ufology bulletin, the newspaper La Montagne for October 6, 1954.
This newspaper reportedly told that on October 5, 1954, at 05:27 p.m. in Clermont-Ferrand, Mr. Bourroux, living on the Avenue de la République, was preparing to close his shutters when his attention was attracted by two luminous objects that moved at great speed in the cloudy sky.
"These two craft" of rounded shape and a bright white color circled for a time above the city, hesitated, "then landed on the hill of Chanturge". Nothing came out of these craft "that took off almost instantly vertically, seemed to search for a direction, then disappeared north behind the hill at very high speed."
The ufology magazine Lumières Dans La Nuit also mentions the observation, from the same newspaper article, but more briefly: on October 5, 1954, in Clermont-Ferrand, Mr. Bourroux had seen two luminous craft land on the hill of Chanturge. He watched them with binoculars but nothing happened. Both craft took off vertically and quickly disappeared.
[Ref. lpc1:] NEWSPAPER "LE POPULAIRE DU CENTRE":
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Around 6 o'clock in the morning, Mr. Pierre Lucas, a baker in Loctudy (the Finistère), who was busy getting water from the bakery yard, suddenly saw in the night a machine in the shape of a saucer of 2 m. 50 to 3 meters in diameter. He saw an individual measuring about 1 m. 20 who approached him and patted him on the shoulder, uttering unintelligible words.
The bakery workman managed to keep his cool and went back to the bakery where the stranger followed him.
In the light, Mr. Lucas was able to stare at the visitor. His face was oval, covered with hair and eyes the size of a raven's egg.
The young man called his boss, but before the latter had time to come down, the nocturnal unknown had disappeared as well as his saucer of which no trace was found.
A beer-dealer of Concarneau, for his part, stated that he had seen in the sky two luminous disks of the form of round tables extended with a kind of tail.
One of the discs was motionless while the other was maneuvering nearby. The two discs disappeared after 10 minutes after launching a rocket.
Two saucers were seen yesterday in the sky of Clermont [missing part]
In Beaulieu, the Corrèze, a mysterious machine was seen Monday by several people worthy of faith.
On the other hand, one of our readers in the Charente, M. Hubert de Saint-Just, asks us to rectify an information to which his name has been associated by mistake, or as a result of a dubious joke. This, moreover, is what M. de Saint-Just writes:
"In the issue 228 for October 6th, 1954, of the" Populaire du Centre", you published on page 3 (5th column) an information according to which I would have written to you to have seen a "luminous object" evolving in the sky above the Montrollet village.
"My wife and I were amazed to read this information because we never wrote to you about this, for the simple reason that we did not see anything like that.
"I do not know who borrowed our identities and for what purpose this was done - I would like to know!
"But I want to formally deny this information which is totally unfounded and would be glad that you would publish this denial, stating that I had nothing to do with the information that provoked it. I am persuaded that your good faith was abused and that this same good faith will lead you to give a favorable result to my request.
"I do not mean to take a position on the problem of the "flying saucers": I know only what the newspapers publish.
[Ref. hml1:] "LE HAUT-MARNAIS REPUBLICAIN" NEWSPAPER:
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Quimper. At about four o'clock on Tuesday morning Mr. Pierre Lucas, a baker at Loctudy (Finistere), who was busy getting water from the bakery yard, suddenly saw in the night a machine in the shape of a saucer of 2 m. 50 to 3 meters in diameter. He saw an individual measuring about 1 m. 20 who approached him and patted him on the shoulder, uttering unintelligible words. The baker's workman managed to keep his cool and went back to the bakery where the stranger followed him.
In the light, Mr. Lucas was able to stare at the visitor: his face was oval, covered with hair, and eyes as large as a corbel's egg. The young man called his boss, but before the latter had the time to come down, the stranger had disappeared as well as his saucer, of which there no trace was found.
A beer-dealer of Concarneau, for his part, declared that he saw in the sky two luminous disks of the form of round tables extended with a sort of tail. One of the discs was motionless while the other was maneuvering nearby. The two disks disappeared after ten minutes after launching a rocket.
Mantua. -- The traffic was interrupted for more than one hour in the center of Mantova by groups of people gathered to observe a strange "white object" which moved, at a high altitude, clearly visible on the background of the blue sky.
After performing extremely rapid maneuvers, the sphere-shaped apparatus - which, according to some witnesses, was part of a "flying saucer formation" - stood motionless in the sky for some time before it sisappeared on the horizon.
On the other hand, the "Martians" seem to want to visit Italy too. Indeed, a fisherman from Roverbella, in the province of Mantua, said he was approached last night by a "mysterious individual", dressed in red, who reportedly told him "unintelligible words", and who reportedly quickly moved away before the fisher had the time to call his wife.
Saint Brieuc. -- Several residents of Saint-Brieuc saw last night, a flying saucer that took the form of a cigar before disappearing. They were able to observe it for over an hour.
The same phenomenon was observed in Trégueux where a cyclist returned home frightened by what he had seen.
Two saucers were seen in the sky of Clermont. The first, 10 kilometers from Beaumont. It moved west to east. Witnesses said the craft moved closer to them and became less and less brilliant. When it was only 150 meters away, they felt a "curious sensation" and were nailed to the spot. At this timet there was an odor of nitro-benzine. Soon the craft moved away, the discomfort ceased and the saucer disappeared.
The other saucer was seen above the hills of Chanturgues, near Clermont. It moved vertically and was of a brilliant white.
A saucer was also spotted in Billom by a group of 30 people. The craft moved over the city. It moved horizontally. It was visible for three or four minutes before disappearing. An intense light emanated from the craft.
The newspaper of Coulommiers "Le Pays Briard" publishes a letter sent by one of its readers, Mr. E. Farnier, member of the Society of Civil Engineers of France, about a flying saucer.
In this letter Mr. Farnier stated that he saw above his property at Jouy-sur-Morin a large disc of 8 to 10 meters in diameter, rotating on the spot, with red-violet lights, making a whistling sound a bit similar to that of the arrival of a jet plane. The craft was about 400 meters high and hovered for more than 20 minutes above me", Mr. Farnier said, "so had all the time to check it out. The machine then disappeared in the direction of Coulommiers."
In his letter, Mr. Farnier specified:
"Former commissioner with the Aero-Club of France, having served in the aviation, I was not the victim of a hallucination and this machine was not a sounding-balloon, but a thick circular wing hovering on the spot and moving at very high speed gradually taking altitude."
[Ref. lfo1:] NEWSPAPER "LE FIGARO":
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(CONTINUED)
Cigars, saucers, flying cylinders, fly again in the four corners of France.
Two saucers made an appearance in the sky of Clermont, the first, within ten kilometers of Clermont, moved in west-east direction. Witnesses stated that the machine approached within 150 meters of them while they felt a curious feeling and were "like frozen where they stood"... A strong nitrobenzine odor was perceptible.
The other saucer was seen above the hills of Chanturgues, close to Clermont. It evolved vertically and was of a brilliant white.
A saucer was also seen in Billom by a group of thirty people. The machine evolved above the city. It moved horizontally. It was visible during 3 or 4 minutes before disappearing. An intense light was produced by the apparatus.
(Continued on page 11, col. 7 and 8)
Note: the next part of the article can be read here.
[Ref. rln1:] NEWSPAPER "LE REPUBLICAIN LORRAIN":
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Quimper. -- Around 4 o'clock in the morning, Mr. Pierre Lucas, a bakery worker in Loctudy (Finistère), who was busy drawing water from the courtyard of the bakery, suddenly saw in the night a craft in the shape of a saucer of 2 meters 50 to 3 meters in diameter.
The baker managed to keep his cool and returned to the bakery, where the stranger followed him.
In the light, Mr. Lucas was able to stare at the visitor. He had an oval face, all covered with hair and eyes the size of a crow's egg.
The young man called his boss, but before he had time to come down, the nocturnal stranger had disappeared, as well as his saucer, of which no trace was found.
A beer merchant from Concarneau, for his part, declared having seen in the sky two luminous discs in the form of extended round tables with a kind of tail.
One of the discs was stationary while the other was moving nearby. Both disks disappeared after 10 minutes after launching a rocket.
A "curious sensation in Clermont
Clermont-Ferrand. -- Two saucers were seen in the Clermont sky. The first ten kilometers from Beaumont, at 4:45 p.m.. It was moving in a west-east direction. Witnesses said the craft approached them and became less and less bright. When it was only 150 meters away, they felt a "curious sensation" and were like rooted to the spot. At this moment there was a smell of nitro-benzine. Soon the craft moved away, the discomfort ceased and the saucer disappeared.
The other saucer was seen above the hill of Chanturgue near Clermont. It moved vertically and was of a brilliant white.
A saucer was also seen in Billom by a group of thirty people. The craft was flying above the town. It was moving horizontally. It was visible for three or four minutes before disappearing. An intense light emanated from the device.
A group of ten
La Rochelle. -- Last night, several people from Thouare-sur-Vie (Vendée) saw about ten shiny objects in the sky [...?...] MM. André Gardin and André Darsens, who were driving in a truck on the road [...?...] claimed to have seen a disc-shaped craft land in a field between the village of Lagrasse and the hamlet of Villemagne (Aude).
The craft, they said, was about ten meters in diameter. Before they could approach it, it surrounded itself with a blinding glow and disappeared.
Everywhere
Bergerac. -- Mr. Jean Defiz, firefighter in Bergerac, and Mr. Jean Labonne, claimed to have seen landing in the garden of the latter, a luminous disc about three meters in diameter, [...?...] by three crutches.
Dinan. -- In Mégrit (Côtes-du-Nord), a young farmer, Mr. Henri Lehérissé, claimed to have seen in the yard of his farm a craft with a diameter of about one meter inside which appeared two human shapes, motionless and the size of a child.
Nevers. -- At [?], Five residents of Château-Chinon (Nièvre) declared having seen, at very high altitude, a sort of luminous spot; which split into two disks. The object, they say, began to rotate, changing color several times.
Dunkirk. -- A resident of Dunkirk had, several days ago, declared having seen strange luminous objects in the sky of Bray-Dunes. An investigation had been opened. It concluded that they were two military aircraft whose metallic coating could have caused the illusion.
Finally, saucers, discs, cigars, spheres and other flying objects were seen at Granvillars (Territoire de Belfort), at Magnac-Laval (Haute-Vienne), at Saint-Jean-d'Assé (Charente-Maritime), at [...?...], (Côtes-du-Nord).
[Ref. gqy1:] GUY QUINCY:
about October 5 [, 1954]
[... other cases...]
? [=unknown hour]: Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme).
[... other cases...]
[Ref. ldl1:] UFOLOGY MAGAZINE "LUMIERES DANS LA NUIT":
The magazine indicates that on October 5, 1954, in Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme, Mr. Bourroux saw two luminous craft which landed on the hill of Chanturge. He observed them with binoculars but nothing occurred. The two machines took off vertically and quickly disappeared. The magazine indicates that the case was reported in the newspaper La Montagne on October 6, 1954.
[Ref. jgd1:] JEAN GIRAUD - "OVNI-INFO":
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DATE 10/05/1954
HOUR 05:27 p.m.
PLACE Clermont - Ferrand
WITNESS Mister Bourroux Avenue de la République
THE FACTS.
The witness was about to close his shutters when his attention was drawn to two luminous objects that moved with great rapidity in the cloudy sky. These two craft of rounded shape and brilliantly white, circled the city for a moment, hesitated, and then landed on Chanturge Hill. Nothing came out of these craft that took off almost instantly vertically, seemed to search for a direction, then disappeared north behind the hill at very high speed.
SOURCES.
Regional Press "La Montagne" Clermont for 10/06/54
INVESTIGATION.
No investigation made.
[Ref. fru1:] MICHEL FIGUET AND JEAN-LOUIS RUCHON:
The two authors indicate that in Clermont-Ferrand in the Puy-de-Dome, on October 5, 1954, at 05:27 p.m., Mr. Bourroux, living on rue de la République, is on the point of closing the shutters of his bedroom when his glance is drawn to two luminous objects which move at high speed in the cloudy sky.
Intrigued, he observes the phenomenon in great amazement:
"These two machines of round shape, of a shining white, turned for a moment above the city, hesitated, then landed on the Chanturgue hill."
To the great disappointment of the witness who observes the phenomenon with binoculars, nothing comes out of these machines which take off almost instantaneously and vertically, seemed to veer, then disappeared behind the hill at a very high speed.
The authors indicate that the source is La Montagne, October 6, 1954.
[Ref. gep1:] UFOLOGY GROUP "GEPO":
| 10/6/54 | (7 p.m.) | Clermont-Ferrand (CC) | 003.0 9.06V3 |
[Ref. lcn1:] LUC CHASTAN:
Luc Chastan indicates that in the "Puy de Dômes" in "Clermont Ferrand" on October 5, 1954 at 17:27 hours, a witness living street of the Republic, is on the point of closing the shutters of his bedroom, when his glance is attracted by two luminous objects moving at great speed in the cloudy sky. Intrigued, he observes the phenomenon with a great curiosity. "These two apparatuses of round form, of a shining white, turned one moment above the city, hesitated, then landed on the Chanturgue hill." To the great disappointment of the witness who observes the phenomenon with a pair of binoculars, nothing comes out of these machines which take off almost instantaneously vertically, seem to try to find a direction, then disappear behind the hill at a very high speed.
Luc Chastan indicates that the source is "Ovni, Premier dossier complet... by Figuet M./ Ruchon J.L. ** Alain Lefeuvre pub. 1979."
[Ref. dcn1] DOMINIQUE CAUDRON:
Dominique Caudron indicates that the catalogue of 800 cases published in 1970 by Maurice Santos, is a good example of what one should not do; he indicates to extract from it the list of the cases of October 3, 1954; which he knows well as he had investigated into these cases of his area of Nord. For each case, below the text of the Santos catalogue, he states what should have been written, and the explanation after analysis, when there is one.
Santos wrote that for this case #552 of "various forms" that there was a luminous Unknown Flying Object in Clermont-Ferrand on October 3, 1954.
Dominique Caudron says that it was in fact on October 5, 1954, at 03:45 p.m., in Clermont Ferrand, 63, according to La Montagen for October 7.
He notes that the numbering of the cases by Santos seemed a good idea, but that it prevents the evolution of the catalogue, whose numbering becomes incoherent at the first update: "For example, this catalogue contains only 10 cases for the area of the Nord, whereas we know 48 of them. How to place the 38 others?"
[Ref. ubk1:] "UFO-DATENBANK":
| Case Nr. | New case Nr. | Investigator | Date of observation | Zip | Place of observation | Country of observation | Hour of observation | Classification | Comments | Identification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 195410 | ?.10.1954 | Clermont Ferrand | France | 20.55 | ||||||
| 19541005 | 05.10.1954 | Cleremont-Ferrand [sic, Clermont-Ferrand] | France |
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Possible planes or helicopters.
No source here specified whether these two craft were noisy or silent.
(These keywords are only to help queries and are not implying anything.)
Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme, M. Bourroux, objects, crafts, luminous, landing, hill, Chanturge, binoculars, vertically, fast
[----] indicates sources that are not yet available to me.
| Version: | Created/Changed by: | Date: | Change Description: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | Patrick Gross | April 16, 2003 | First published. |
| 1.0 | Patrick Gross | January 5, 2009 | Conversion from HTML to XHTML Strict. First formal version. Additions [lcn1]. |
| 1.1 | Patrick Gross | October 14, 2016 | Addition [dcn1]. |
| 1.2 | Patrick Gross | January 9, 2017 | Additions [lpc1], [hml1], [ubk1]. |
| 1.2 | Patrick Gross | June 28, 2019 | Addition [jgd1]. Explanations changed, were "Not looked for yet." |
| 1.3 | Patrick Gross | March 9, 2022 | Addition [rnl1]. |
| 1.5 | Patrick Gross | April 23, 2022 | Additions [gqy1], [gep1]. |
