Hidden deep in the south of France, down the end of a long, secluded driveway, is a 17th-century mansion that is abandoned. Once a warm, lively home full of love, life, and laughter, the mansion is now still, its lovely interiors being reclaimed by nature. The grand estate, built in the 1600s, was last occupied in the early 2000s. Everything still remaining inside the mansion tells of a committed family, a successful life, and a tragic end that brought the mansion into its haunting stillness.
The Emergence of the Aubert Family
The home was the long-time residence of Mr. André Aubert and his wife, Manon. The two met when they were in their twenties, and the two of them were married during the 1950s. The two of them built a successful hoteling business in the neighboring cities, the fruits of their labor being the acquisition of this wonderful home. The two of them saw the house as a refuge, a haven from the urban commotion.
Years passed, and their happiness grew with the addition of their lovely daughter. She was the focus of their world, and years were spent raising and nurturing her on the large estate. Despite their work responsibilities, family time was never overlooked, and memories were forged in every room and across the large gardens surrounding their home.
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A Home Full of Life
The Auberts’ Lifestyle
The Auberts had lived quietly for decades. Their days were spent fishing on the secluded lake at the back of the mansion, with nights spent on the wide balconies overlooking acres of untouched country. No corner of the house was free of their history, with antique furniture, delicate chandeliers, and carefully accumulated antiques that had tales of the past.
Art and Literature in the Home
Manon, being a French history and art enthusiast, adorned the house with beautiful paintings and antique statues. André, on the other hand, was a literature enthusiast, and his library was a storehouse of information, with hundreds of books from all around the world. Their home was a piece of art of antique beauty, with the French country-style architecture coupled with the lived-in refinement that made it warm and inviting.
The Beginning of the End
Family Changes
As the years passed, their only child grew up and moved abroad to establish a family of their own. Though proud of their achievement, André and Manon missed their sole child deeply. They held on to each other, continuing their peaceful routine in their treasured home. But fate had other designs, and in the 1990s, Manon was diagnosed with pneumonia. Her health quickly worsened, and despite the finest medical attention, she died, leaving André bereft and lonely in the large estate that the two of them had enjoyed with such contentment.
André’s Lonely Years
With his daughter out of the house and no other relatives around, André chose to remain behind at the mansion full of memories of his deceased wife. The wide corridors, which had for long echoed with the joy of their celebrations, now echoed only with the whispers of the past. André’s was a lonely life, and with the passage of time, the once-great mansion began revealing the effects of decay.
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A Baffling Ending and an Abandoned Mansion
His date of death is unknown, but André is believed to have passed away sometime around the early 2000s. His body was not found for several years, and with no one around to take care of the mansion, it was simply allowed to crumble. Nature has since reclaimed the estate, slowly repossessing the property. The walls are covered with ivy, the antique furniture is covered with dust, and the lush gardens now sprawl with weeds.
Although the mansion has been abandoned for years, surprisingly, it is still well-maintained. The house looks like time has simply stood still. Dishes on the dinner table, clothes still neatly folded on wardrobes, and personal belongings scattered on the floor as if the family just left. It is a haunting experience, like a horror film or a game like Resident Evil Mansion.
A Journey Inside the Abandoned Mansion
The Entrance Hall
Stepping inside, the magnificent entrance hall welcomes visitors with a lovely staircase climbing up to the upper floors. The chandelier, which was once such a sparkling centerpiece, now hangs with cobwebs, softly swaying as if whispering tales of the past. The smell of old wood, dampness, and nostalgia fills the air, with a touch of wonder and melancholy.
The Drawing Room
The drawing room, the location of sophisticated social interaction, is now a pale imitation of its former self. The velvet curtains sag, and the antique piano is confined to the corner, its keys untouched for decades. Bookshelves still hold the volumes that André had accumulated, their pages yellow with age. Portraits of the family members still hang on the walls, their eyes upon visitors, adding the haunting atmosphere of the house.
The Kitchen and Bedrooms
Deep inside, the kitchen is filled with the detritus of daily life. A tea service is laid out on a wooden table, dust on the now-dull surfaces. Cupboards still contain dishes and utensils, a silent witness to the meals the family once shared. The bedrooms, even with their dust, still carry the personality of their former occupants. Clothes still hung up in wardrobes, old photographs on bedside tables, and a child’s room full of abandoned toys speak of a little girl who used to dash down these corridors. One of the most touching discoveries is the master bedroom, the one that was shared by Manon and André for their final years. The bed remains made, awaiting their eventual return. A pair of slippers is at the foot of the bed, a book is open on the nightstand, frozen in time. In these small things, the history of the mansion is most deeply felt.
The Mystery and the Myths
Over the years, the abandoned mansion has drawn explorers, historians, and urban legends. Some say the home is haunted by the spirits of its former residents. Strange noises, flickering lights, and unexplained cold spots have been reported by those brave enough to step inside. Whether true or simply the power of suggestion, the mansion exudes an undeniable sense of mystery.
Despite its eerie reputation, the home remains a fascinating relic of the past. It serves as a reminder of love, loss, and the passage of time. The story of the Aubert family, their success, their joys, and their heartbreaks, lingers in the walls, preserved in the stillness of abandonment.
What Lies Ahead?
Though untouched for decades, the fate of the mansion remains uncertain. Some believe it should be restored to its former glory, preserving the history within its walls. Others argue that its decay is a natural part of its story, a poetic tribute to the past that should be left undisturbed. Regardless of what the future holds, this abandoned 17th-century mansion remains a breathtaking and haunting piece of history, a place where time has stood still, and the echoes of the past continue to whisper their tales.
