Urban Exploration - Lucienne's Manor
We received photos from a traveler and compiled them into a historical summary.
Manoir Lucienne is a place shrouded in thick mystery. The family who resided there was eminently discreet. This privacy, combined with the inconsistent information found within the dwelling, makes this family history a sort of obscure thicket. Consequently, I will write nothing that could be fueled by doubt.
This manor is located on the outskirts of a large city. Very discreet within its cocoon of vegetation, the sign still indicates the name of the hamlet, which now belongs only to memory. While the place was once enchanting, it has considerably degraded due to the culture of our mediocre modern society: the junction of two hideous major roads and the construction of a foul industrial and commercial zone.
The vegetation tends to offer the manor considerable protection from these nuisances. One must strain one's ears to perceive the din, and sharpen one's eyes to simply see the house. The main building is U-shaped. The courtyard is a delirium of wild vegetation. A path is worn through it, revealing the regular passage of visitors.
Why has it suffered so little from vandalism? The place has only been targeted by thieves. They likely didn't make a fortune; Lucienne lived with great simplicity—not in destitution, but in the pleasant simplicity of life. For once—and it is rare—my thanks go to this anonymous crowd of visitors who respected Lucienne.
The origin of the manor is quite distant, though no date carved on a porch confirms its exact year of construction. It is mentioned on the Napoleonic map, although until 1950, the name of the hamlet had a different spelling.
From a genealogical perspective, the lack of information is staggering.
Lucienne’s date of birth is unknown to me. She passed away in March 2014. She is buried in a family vault in the small cemetery of a neighboring village, under her maiden name. Her final bills, however, were addressed to her under her married name.
She served as an elected official in her town for nearly 20 years, working in social services.
She married Roger in 1964.
Roger was born in February 1916 in an affluent part of the Paris region, to a father with a French name and a mother with Italian names. He was legally recognized a few months later, as his father was at the front. He passed away in January 2007, and I do not know where he is buried. His place of death is inconsistent, as genealogy sites mention two different towns.
Genealogy sites show no children for them.
Yet, inside the manor, there are two bedrooms containing the belongings of a young boy and a young girl. There are also many documents bearing the names Bruno and Catherine, who have a different surname. Were they a niece and nephew? Corroborating information suggests that Bruno is a renowned doctor established in a foreign country.
And so, the manor fell asleep ten years ago.
Roger and Lucienne leave behind very little from an entire lifetime. It reminds us with humility that we will leave everything behind when we go. The fact that it hasn't been vandalized touched me, because it allowed me to find Lucienne and send her many positive thoughts. The story is closed, but the memory remains.
