Man Bequeaths €10 Million To Normandy Village Sharing His Name Although He Never Visited It

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NEW YORK (VINnews) — In an astonishing bequeathment which occurred in France, a man gave in his will over €10 million to a village in Normandy, although it is not known that he had ever visited or had any connection to it – except for it sharing his name.

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Roger Thiberville did not have any heirs, so he decided to bequeath part of his fortune to his accountant and the rest to Thiberville, a village of just 1,800 residents in the Eure district.

The maire of Thiberville confirmed the good news, stating that “it is a lovely surprise just before Christmas”.

Guy Paris, the maire of Thiberville, was first notified of the donation back in August when he received a call from a notary, however the exact sum was only confirmed in the last few days.

Not much is known about Roger Thiberville. He was a weather engineer who lived in a small flat in Paris and led a discreet life, according to Actu. He came from a family of winemakers and inherited from both his parents and his sister, who also died without an heir.

He died on August 23 this year aged 91. The bulk of the donation came from four Paris flats that he owned. He is not known to have ever set foot in Thiberville.

The village will not pay any inheritance tax on the €10 million as it is a public receipt and therefore there is not a requirement to according to the tax code.

The money, which is five times Thiberville’s yearly budget, will be used to pay off debts.

“It could also help us to complete projects such as an artificial football pitch, a new fire station, renovation of the public garden, introducing a France services centre, etc.” Mr Paris told Actu.

There are plans to install a headstone in Mr Thiberville’s honour in the Thiberville cemetery and, as per his last wishes, spread his ashes there. The headstone will bear a sun and clouds in reference to his career as a weather engineer.

“Mr Thiberville did not ask for anything in return for his bequeathment but we owe him that at least,” said Mr Paris.

Leaving a legacy to villages in wills is not a rare occurrence although one of this level is almost unheard of. It is only the third bequeathment of such value in France’s history.

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Andy
Andy
1 month ago

Just cause you have $ doesn’t mean you are smart

Yumi Santiago
Yumi Santiago
1 month ago

Article headline: “Although He Never Visited It”
Article inside: “although it is not known that he had ever visited”
Typical poor reporting