French village’s surprise €4.5m

A villager left €4.5million as a surprise gift to her commune – four times its annual budget – in her will.

Connexion journalist

Published Monday 04 March 2019 - 15:15 Modified Monday 04 March 2019 - 15:15

Mayor Bernard Gilot announced that the legacy from Simone Daignas, 94, would be put to good use for the 700 residents of Mesves-sur-Loire in Nièvre, Bourgogne.

He plans to clear the village’s debt, start a clean-up operation and build a hall named after Mrs Daignas. Mrs Daignas had no heirs and died in a retirement home.