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Bertrand Vilain is a French antique dealer, passionate writer, and amateur investigator, best known for his work on the Seznec Affair — a highly publicized French criminal case dating back to 1923, involving the disappearance of Pierre Quéméneur and the conviction of Guillaume Seznec.
📚 Who is he and what does he do?
He is originally from Brittany (Finistère) and works internationally as an antique dealer, with activities in France and the United States.
He has been interested in the Seznec Affair since the mid-2000s, initially as a local history enthusiast and later as an independent researcher.
Based on his research, he maintains that Guillaume Seznec did not kill Pierre Quéméneur and explores various alternative theories in this century-old judicial mystery.
📖 Publications and research
He is the author of several books about the Seznec Affair, including The Seznec Affair: New Revelations (2011) and The Seznec Affair: The FBI Archives Have Spoken (2020), in which he presents new hypotheses based on documents and archival material he has consulted.
His books aim to highlight historical or documentary elements that could shed new light on the case, such as American archives or previously unpublished testimonies.
He has also coordinated private excavations at locations connected to the Seznec Affair, in collaboration with volunteers and other local history enthusiasts.
📰 In the media
Bertrand Vilain has occasionally appeared in documentaries or articles devoted to the Seznec Affair to present his findings or hypotheses, making him a recognized figure among those interested in judicial mysteries.
In summary, Bertrand Vilain is primarily known as an amateur investigator and author specializing in the Seznec Affair, combining historical research, archival work, and book writing to explore this famous French criminal case.