Picture a love story spanning 65 years – not with a person, but with a quaint medieval village in rural France.

Claude Robert, a successful winemaker and owner of Domaine de la Provenquière in Capestang – a picturesque wine-producing town in the sun-drenched Hérault region of southern France – first stumbled upon Sévérac-d’Aveyron during a business trip to Paris back in the 1960s.

Perched in the Aveyron department of the Occitanie region, this historic gem with its towering castle and cobblestone streets captivated him instantly. Since then? Monthly pilgrimages, hundreds of visits, all fueled by sheer fascination for its heritage.

Now, in a gesture that’s rocking the French countryside, the 80-something philanthropist has etched Sévérac-d’Aveyron – a community of just 2,400 souls – into his will for a staggering €6 million ($6.5 million) legacy.

“This will forever mark our town’s history,” gushes Mayor Edmond Gros, still buzzing from the news.

The bounty breaks down like this: Robert has already gifted €2 million in priceless treasures – a trove of masterpieces including paintings by renowned artists, antique furniture from the 16th to 18th centuries, and a one-of-a-kind collection of southern French silverware, hailed as unique in the Occitanie region. These gems will star in a special exhibition set for 2026, breathing new life into the village’s museums.

Upon his passing, another €4 million will flow in, earmarked strictly for restoring the iconic castle and upgrading local museums. “Rest assured, his collections will receive our utmost care and be showcased as they deserve,” promises the mayor of this fairy-tale-like spot.

In an era where fortunes chase urban glitz, this vigneron’s devotion spotlights the magic of France’s hidden rural treasures.