We visited Serge Gainsbourg’s Parisian house before it opened to the public

On Wednesday September 20, 5 bis rue de Verneuil, in Paris, will open its doors to the public. The legendary residence of Serge Gainsbourg had been closed since his death in March 1991. No photos or videos are allowed during the preview tour of the premises, which Franceinfo was able to attend. Charlotte Gainsbourg, initiator of this project, wants to preserve the mystery and discovery of this mythical place which has kept all its soul.

The artist’s daughter took time to realize the initiative of making the apartment on rue de Verneuil into a museum. Ten times, perhaps a hundred times, she hesitated, retreated, procrastinated. We made it this time. Audio guide around your neck and headphones on your ears, you are ready to enter into the intimacy of Gainsbourg and his family. Charlotte’s soft voice takes you by the hand, Serge’s daughter invites you to open the first door.

“Nothing seems to have changed”

It is the one which gives access to the main room, known to photographers and many journalists. This is where Serge gave his interviews. There also where he received police officers and taxi drivers at the end of the night, to remake the world and drink drinks, between a gigantic portrait of BB and his black Steinway piano which have not moved.

The emotion goes up a notch when you arrive in the kitchen, tiny, with a unique character: the glass fridge (where you can see, among other things, a can of “Kro”), the (empty) bottles of Château Brion 1928 (year of his birth), the mini television set: nothing seems to have been disturbed… A sensation that grips you from start to finish. As if the master of the place had left them yesterday.

White Repettos, a sign of Gainsbourg elegance

Going upstairs reinforces this impression. In the corridor leading to Serge’s office (with his famous library, so eclectic, so… Gainsbourian), a mini-dressing room containing 5 or 6 suits, 4 blue jeans and denim shirts stamped Gainsbarre, and, at the very bottom, 4 pairs of his famous white Repetto which he wore (without socks) in all circumstances, in all weathers. They are worn, deformed. Organic witnesses to the artist’s chaotic life. Each piece has its share of anecdotes, involving Serge, of course, but also Jane Birkin, Kate Barry (Jane’s daughter) or Bambou, modestly revealed by the (moved and moving) voice of Charlotte. Who shares multiple little pieces of life engraved in his memory since childhood, supported by ambient sounds from the period.

Charlotte’s secrets

From the bathroom chandelier, which served as a benchmark for his growth, to his father’s dark-walled bedroom. Precise, almost clinical account of this sad March 2, 1991 when Serge was found inert on his bed, on the left side. Story of this time which seemed infinite to her, during which she lay down beside him, in the company of Kate, her half-sister and Bambou, hearing, through the closed shutters, the voices of the fans, who sang in chorus “I came to tell you that I’m leaving” …

The challenge was great: how to adapt this doll’s house to the visit, where the size of the rooms will undoubtedly surprise more than one person? From this point of view too, it is a total success. The glass barriers, installed at the entrance to each room, are discreet and do not obstruct anything.

You come out of the place a little groggy, obviously a little upset. And you want to say to Charlotte: “well done, it was worth the wait!” “.

The House of Serge Gainsbourg is open to visitors from September 20 by reservation. It’s sold out until the end of December. Other reservation slots should be offered on Maison Gainsbourg