Man Leaves Millions To French Village That Hid His Family From Nazis
January 30, 2021
An Austrian man who fled the Nazis with his family during World War II has left part of his fortune to the French village whose residents helped hide them.
Le Chambon-sur-Lignon in south-east France
Eric Schwam, who died at 90 years old in December, wrote the surprise gift into his will for Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a commune in south-central France.
Mayor Jean-Michel Eyraud says he left the village a "large amount" in his will, without confirming a figure.
But his mayoral predecessor told the local media that the total is about €2m (£1.7m; $2.4m).
Eyraud told AFP that Schwam's gift would be used to fund education and youth initiatives.
Le Chambon-sur-Lignon has a population of only about 2,500 people but has a reputation as a place of refuge, dating back to the French Protestant Huguenots who fled religious persecution during the 17th Century.
The town was recognized by Israel for its extraordinary effort in protecting Jewish refugees from the occupying Nazis.
Stray Dog Becomes the Star of a Wrestling Match
Grateful Man Celebrates His 60th Birthday With Pizza, Receives Thousands Of Birthday Wishes
Two Cats Sitting Under an Umbrella Have the Internet Asking One Very Important Question
Dad Tells His Children He Won The Nobel Prize In Medicine
She Broke Her Nose the Night Before Her Daughter’s Wedding
Photographer Captures Dogs “Flying” Through the Air, and the Photos Are Pure Joy
Hero Chick-fil-A Employee Saves Woman and Baby
Dad Goes Viral for Dancing at Olivia Rodrigo Concert With His Daughters
