If in Grau-du-Roi, Jean Servière is known as an artisan baker, and more particularly for his fougasse aux grattons called “fougasse de Servière”, many are unaware of his passion for collections. Arrived at Grau-du-Roi in 1952 to work as a baker during the season, he returned there every year until 1960.
Married to a Graulenne, he took on management in Lunel, then he opened his bakery on August 16, 1964 at the corner of rue du Commandant-Marceau, a bakery that he would hold until November 16, 2016. Passionate about his profession, he cultivates also other areas of interest.
First he was passionate about numismatics and collected French coins and banknotes from 1792 to 2016. He has fond memories of the beginnings of his quest. “ At that time the flea markets were interesting, because you could find good deals there. “ But aware of the difficulties his children would have in assessing the value of his collection, in 2016 he decided to part with it.
Still having the virus of collecting coins, he started looking for European coins and French banknotes since the advent of the euro. If today his collection has grown considerably, he observes: “ I’m missing a few rarities from microstates. “
The passion for old postcards
But Jean Servière is also a keen researcher of postcards from Grau-du-Roi and his hometown of Lunel. He started this collection in 1952 and he still has the hope of finding the rare piece.
“ It will be difficult, he saidbecause the more time passes, the more these postcards become rare and the collectors numerous. “ His collection, he made it by frequenting flea markets or collectors in neighboring towns.
How many postcards does he have? Without hesitation he will answer you that he does not know.
Aged 88, Jean Servière spends a large part of his days in the middle of his collections, but for all that, he likes to spend a few hours in the morning at his cabin, which moreover many inhabitants of Grau-du-Roi know and had the privilege of being invited.
Midi Libre correspondent: 06 44 79 07 19
