A unique curiosity in France, in the world, and elsewhere! The village of the mailboxes is St Martin d'Abbat, located in the Loiret department, and in the surroundings, with directory, competitions, interactive map, and all that!
It's the story of a Parisian...
It is the story of a Parisian who, at the time of his retirement, left Paris, very well known, to settle in Saint Martin d'Abbat, a little less known, we will say!
Around 1994, he went to see the mayor to propose that he set up a "cultural identity" for the village. Then, as his thinking became more refined, he came to propose, before the municipal council, the idea of the "mailbox village". Needless to say, at the time, this led to amused scepticism, like, "but, what is this crazy idea? ».
But since the Parisian was a little stubborn (even though he wasn't Breton!), he created an association, and launched a first contest... and, surprise, about thirty personalized mailboxes appeared.
Second contest, third contest... and, as a result, the media are starting to show up! With a little irony, it must be said, for this village that is starting to personalize its mailboxes, at the time of the e-mail! But the main thing is that we talk about it!
The official signage "the village of the mailboxes"
In 2001, the mayor will soon leave office, and he makes a courageous decision for a strong act: at both ends of the city, there will now be a completely official sign indicating to the amazed motorist that he is entering the "mailbox village".
And it was around that time that newspapers and television began to spread the great news!
Once this is done, personalized mailboxes, an expression of "street art" or, more simply, of an extremely creative folk art, are not necessarily an end in themselves. By the notoriety they create, they move from passive receptacles of communication to megaphones, and the original association will use this megaphone to talk about conviviality and environmental protection.
And mailboxes are spreading everywhere!
The idea is beautiful, smiling, friendly, friendly, friendly, creative... in short, it encourages many people to implement it quite easily, for their own mailbox, from their own home!
So have fun walking around on an interactive map of the region, with each little dot representing a work of art! Click on each point, and you will see a picture of the work in question. Guaranteed surprises!
Office du tourisme
Mairie Germigny-des-Prés 45110
Place du Bourg
45110 Germigny-des-Prés
Tél. : 02 38 58 27 03
https://www.letterboxvillage.com/ACCUEIL.HTM
Click on the image
Click on the image
