In this episode of Mysteries of UFOs, we explore the Valensole UFO Incident, one of Europe's most famous close encounters. On July 1, 1965, French farmer Maurice Mass discovered a metallic oval-shaped craft landed in his lavender field in Provence. Near it stood two small humanoid beings in tight suits, seemingly studying the plants. When Mass approached, one of the beings pointed a device at him, leaving him paralyzed but conscious. The entities then boarded their craft, which silently lifted off and vanished.

Investigators later found flattened vegetation, scorched soil, and a circular landing imprint. The lavender in that spot reportedly withered and never regrew. Police and military officials deemed Mass a credible and honest witness, and even famed UFO researcher Jacques Vallée confirmed his consistency.

To this day, the Valensole case stands as one of the strongest close encounters of the third kind, notable for its daylight sighting, physical evidence, and non-hostile interaction.