A huge star of French song, Serge Gainsbourg left behind an indelible memory… as well as a house rich in memories. Renovated into a museum by Charlotte Gainsbourg, her daughter, the mansion attracts many visitors. It remains to be seen whether the other children of the one affectionately nicknamed “Gainsbarre” also benefit from the building's revenue.
Gainsbourg… this familiar name nostalgically recalls that of a mythical figure. Indeed, the composer and performer of I love you… me neither and of Sea, Sex and Sun left a lasting mark on the history of French song. This name also evokes that of his daughter, Charlotte. Child of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, the 53-year-old woman followed in her parents' footsteps by devoting herself to a career as an artist in music and song. To pay tribute to her father, Charlotte Gainsbourg transformed her parents' residence located at 5 bis rue de Verneuil into a sanctuary. Opened to the public on September 20, 2023, the former home of the famous Gainsbarre immerses visitors in the singer's world, from his grand piano to the ashtray filled with cigarette butts. It is the voice of Charlotte Gainsbourg which guides visitors through the house.
Maison Gainsbourg: a real success
This homage to the man with the head of cabbage is also a juicy affair. Located near the Musée d'Orsay, the private mansion where Serge Gainsbourg resided was a phenomenal success. The place was stormed by visitors according to information from Figaro. The French newspaper notes in an article published on November 15, 2024: “Every four months, the ticket office opens and the slots are immediately full. No tickets are available until the end of March 2025. And no one complained that the price increased from 25 to 29 euros in March, six months after opening […] the place generates 4 million in turnover, pays its expenses on a daily basis and is profitable.“It is therefore a juicy business in which part of the profits (10%) are redistributed to Lucien Gainsbourg, Natacha Gainsbourg and Paul Gainsbourg, the singer's other children. However, for Charlotte Gainsbourg, it turns out that the house located at 5 bis rue de Verneuil is a real financial pit.
Charlotte Gainsbourg au tribunal
In November 2024, the trial between Charlotte Gainsbourg and her former associate Dominique Dutreix continues. They had both collaborated on the renovation of Serge Gainsbourg's house. Yvan Attal's partner felt confident until the day the construction site stopped due to unpaid bills. Their company was placed in receivership in September 2024 and has accumulated a little less than 1.5 million euros in arrears with suppliers, in addition to 3 million in bank debts. For Charlotte Gainsbourg, this complicated economic situation is the responsibility of Dominique Dutreix. On Thursday, November 14, 2024, during the hearing between the two parties, the Figaro noted the words of lawyer Jean Aittouares. He states: “Dominique Dutreix repaid himself before the others. He had to provide the financing, he only provided debts. It was Charlotte Gainsbourg who convinced the Yves Saint Laurent house to contribute 3.4 million euros over several years, including 900,000 euros from 2022. As soon as this sum was collected, the next day Dominique Dutreix transferred 482,000 euros to himself. on his personal account.“While waiting for the end of the trial, Dominique Dutreix remains presumed innocent.
