Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle

Charles de Gaulle was born at 9 rue Princesse in Lille, in the home of his maternal grandparents on November 22, 1890. Throughout his childhood and youth, this house was a meeting place for his family. It was here, in a family united by patriotic and religious values, that the character of the future President of the Fifth Republic was forged.


In 2020, the Maison natale Charles de Gaulle underwent major renovations. The aim was to reinforce the structure of the house, but also to renovate and completely refurnish it. Rooms that had fallen into oblivion were rehabilitated and shown to the public for the first time. Listed as a historic monument and awarded the "Maison des Illustres" label, the house has been restored to look very much as the young Charles knew it. It is the only example in Lille of what a bourgeois home looked like during the Belle Époque.


The Maison natale Charles de Gaulle also offers regular temporary exhibitions, lectures and educational workshops.


In addition, there are two 13-stage walking tours, marked by a nail on the ground bearing the general's effigy. The route can be started at any stage. There is no chronological order either. Maps of the route, with explanations, anecdotes and family memories of each stage, are available from the Maison natale Charles de Gaulle and the Lille Tourist Office.


Circuit lengths: 6.3 km and 4.4 km.