In an unexpected twist straight out of a quirky novel, the sleepy Normandy town of Thiberville has become the talk of the region after a €10 million windfall landed in their laps. The donor? A Parisian meteorologist named Roger Thiberville, who, in a delightful stroke of irony, had never set foot in the town that shares his name.
Locals were flabbergasted to learn about the inheritance, which is equivalent to five times the town’s annual budget. Mayor Guy Paris, the town’s long-standing leader, was caught off guard by a call from a solicitor bearing the news. “When they said €10 million, I thought maybe it was a new weather pattern,” Paris quipped to France Bleu radio.
The unexpected inheritance has Thiberville buzzing with excitement and bewilderment. Known for its 19th-century chateau and not much else, the town is suddenly pondering grandiose projects, from eco-friendly bowling greens to a state-of-the-art football pitch. “We’ll handle this like our municipal budget—cautiously,” Paris assured, likely eyeing the town’s wishlist like a kid in a candy store.
The late Thiberville, who passed away last August at 91, left only one request: that his ashes, accompanied by a plaque, be placed in the town’s cemetery. “It’s like he wanted to visit in spirit,” mused one local resident, chuckling at the thought of a permanent resident who never really visited.
In a move that feels like the plot of a whimsical film, the town is now planning to repay a €400,000 loan for a new primary school and embark on a series of community projects. The mayor is already in talks with regional officials to ensure the funds are used wisely.
As Thiberville charts its future with this newfound fortune, one thing is certain: They’re ready to weather any storm, especially now that luck is on their side. Who knew a meteorologist could make such a lasting impression without ever checking the local forecast?
