Louis Pergaud, writer (1882-1915)

« Si j’avais su j’aurais pas venu » (if I'd of known, I wouldn't of come": the rough and ready speech which is the distinguishing feature of 'Petit Gibus' has passed into the language and become part of our heritage. His "papa", Louis Pergaud, the author of La Guerre des Boutons was born son of a primary school teacher in Belmont. He also lived for some time in Nans-sous-Sainte-Anne and in Guyans-Vennes and retained memories of the "wars" between school-boys which he would later turn to advantage. Becoming himself a primary school teacher, he wrote a collection of short stories De Goupil à Margot, histoires de bêtes which was awarded the Prix Goncourt in 1910. He was then 28 years old. He earned the nickname : 'le Balzac des bêtes" h he was deeply attached: To the men and woman living there, to the children who turned to each other to say : "and to think that when we're grown up, we'll perhaps be as stupid as they are". He died in the war in April 1915. His remains were never recovered.