Landru's villa finds no fans

Yesterday we had to see Mr. Tric, shoe merchant and owner of Villa Landru, in Gambais, when Mr. Carrier, notary, called again at 3 p.m. 10, his matches in his pocket and put the three notary candles back in a drawer because no enthusiasts showed up at the auction.

I don’t know what “they” have, said the poor man. “They come by the hundreds to visit this house. It is well located and comfortable. It has a vestibule, a dining room, a living room, two bedrooms, an attic, a kitchen and common areas built in excellent materials. There are 3,060 meters of land, including a beautiful garden. And, as the Work noted yesterday, with a little paint and a few nails, we can make it very habitable again. But no one wants it!…

“No doubt, two or three doors were stolen and the sink was taken away. I lodged a complaint without success with the public prosecutor in Mantes, and claimed damages from the courts before the Council of State, which dismissed my claim without explanation.

“However, I swear to you that this villa is as pretty as any other. Why the hell do we think it's haunted? I paid her around thirty thousand francs before the war. I would sell it for a pittance of 70 to 80,000 francs. It's tempting! However, no one is tempted. Would it be okay for me to make a museum of it, and to place a turnstile at the door?
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It was the subject of worldwide publicity, notes the tabellion. All the newspapers photographed it and me with it, adds Mr. Tric. It is a historic place.

That's the word. Gambais, before Landru, was a village in Seine-et-Oise, like its neighbor Gambaiseul. Now, Gambais is famous. But everyone laughs when talking about it: Don't go that way, they tell the young girls.

And Mr. Tric, without a tenant for three years, without a buyer since yesterday, is eating up money. Who wants a small house, in Gambais, in the trees?

E.B.