In this Eure cemetery, the intriguing tomb of star-crossed lovers

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At the bottom of the Theillement cemeteryin the commune of Thénouville (Eure), we find the tomb of the star-crossed lovers. Two stelae: that of Clemence Vannier and that of Phileas Deschampsconnected by entwined hands. Between them, an angel prays.

It is a love storyas beautiful as it is sad, that the village does not want to forget. For proof: the tomb was cleanedin spring 2024, by stonemason Mathieu Sapowicz.

Clémence and Phileas were local children. He comes from Theillement itself, she from the neighboring town of Bosc-Renoult in Roumois.

They were born in 1828, grew up, fell in love with each other and married on April 30, 1850.

Unfortunately, the fairy tale takes a completely different turn. After only a few months of romance, Phileas dies suddenlyat 23 years old. Eight months later, Clémence gives birth to the fruit of their love : their daughter Clémence Valentine Victoire.

But fate persists and the young mother does not survive following childbirth. The village is then in mourning and, to pay tribute to the young lovers, their family decides to bury them together. Side by side, two hands embrace and connect the two tombsmaking their love eternal.

Since 1851, the lovers of Theillement have rested in the commune, but the intrigue around this story has never stopped because many questions remain: what did he die of? What happened to the child? History doesn't say it.

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