The objects set up around the abbey of Murbach in Alsace, France give thought to the ongoing crimes of theft being perpetrated by thieves who quietly take these fine things, and sell them off in a brisk and highly illegal black market. I'd be ashamed to own anything stolen in such a way, depriving those of us who appreciate and revere sacred things of those very things!
You can actually acquire old things quite legally in France, even funerary objects and religious items! Look in the trash bins of cemeteries, and speak directly to the church watchers. They are usually right nearby. Ask in one of the nearby houses, approaching respectfully, never disturbing the inhabitants during their meals or their siestas, and go away if they don't know anything, thanking them anyway. The keys for many chapels and such are often right there with someone, or you can ask at La Mairie, the town hall. Go ahead and inquire if there are any things which might be for sale, or discarded, or for lack of restoration, are being let go. You can, for example, arrange to take things and restore them, as long as you do this openly and legally, and show that you will only enjoy the restored object for a short period of time, returning it properly to its correct place eventually. It might take you awhile to raise the money. A simple Will in France will suffice, and you can have it filed in the central system, giving a copy to the proper authorities at the church or whatever, to reassure them that the coveted object is in your care for the purpose of saving it, and that the intention is to get it back where it belongs, protected behind a grille you would put in, perhaps! These are reasonable people, and by politely insisting and doing things correctly, you can actually join in with the preservation of special things! Your efforts will afford you the actual possession of these things, while you are having them restored or are properly raising the money, through local charitable collections, perhaps, during the duration of this project YOU initiate. What a lovely thing for you and your family, what a great gesture! If we do not get involved and assist in the preservation of our heritage, it might be lost!
A "notaire" in France is not expensive, and these people can arrange all of this for you. It's quite proper, and you should have a Will done, anyway!
I am American-born, but have dual nationality, at this point. Even before I became a European citizen, I insisted my husband join me, despite the fact that we had precious little money, at our local notaire's office, to draw up our Wills. These, we wrote in our own hand, as the typewriter or computer is seldom appropriate for such purposes, and we learned that just because we were legally married, when one of us dies, the other will NOT automatically inherit our property, unless we have a Will stipulating such!
We have no issue, meaning no children, so our property would perhaps revert to the Republic of France. That could be okay, I suppose, but I would rather that my brother, living in the USA, and his son, my nephew, get many of my things, and that several friends and institutions also benefit! Thus, I have been able to reassure my brother and those others that not only is a copy of my Will in my home, but it is still in the Notary's office (even though he moved on to a different group of Notaries!), and it is further properly recorded in France! My brother, for example, need only ask the USA to contact France, and locate this Will upon my death, and because I have properly seen to its being done, everything has been set out and my brother does not have to speak any French to have things done!
This abbey of Murbach, in Alsace, in the Upper Rhineland, meaning it is farther from the source of the river than points at the river's origins, was the most powerful in all of Alsace for a long, long time. Count Eberhard gave a huge parcel of land to some monks in the 8th century, and this wonderful abbey was established. It lasted until the 18th century, when it was added to and modified to a Baroque style, which was then fashionable. Alas, money ran out, and the monks left to live in a nearby village. Must of the abbey was destroyed or left in ruins, so what is here is only a bit of what once was, but what a lovely bit it is!
Do try to come here. There is camping nearby, and this is a place of peace and of beauty.
I can guide you. Contact my agent, RicHernandez in Paris, France at +33(0)698001705, during business hours only, please. He speaks English, French and Spanish, and can easily arrange for me to assist you. I am adept in many things, although disabled, and can facilitate your business activities here in France or elsewhere, and my artistic skills and other connections and experience can help you have a better journey here, or can increase your bottom line.
copyright 2010 Lisa B. Falour, B.S., M.B.A. all rights reserved LISA, INC. (EURL)
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