In the distant 1939, having learned that the Germans would soon enter Paris, a 23-year-old young woman hastily left her apartment in the capital. She went south, where it was safer.

All these years, the woman regularly paid her utility bills, but she never returned. When in 2010, after her death, her heirs learned about the apartment, they were simply shocked as soon as they crossed its threshold.

Wehrmacht soldiers in occupied Paris.

In 1939, the owner of the apartment, Madame de Florian, was forced to leave Paris in fear for her life, since the city was threatened with capture by German troops.

She took with her only the most necessary things, and locked the apartment with a key.

After the end of World War II, the woman had the opportunity to return back, but for some reason did not. For 70 years, Madame de Florian paid rent for the apartment, but none of her relatives knew about it.

The woman died at the age of 91, and only then did her relatives learn about the inheritance.

Madame de Florian’s apartment

Auctioneer Olivier Chopin-Janvry was invited to evaluate the items inside the apartment. …