This is the townhouse in old Lille where Charles de Gaulle was born in 1890, at his maternal grandparents' home. The rooms are furnished with family pieces and personal objects, tracing his childhood and the Lille bourgeois household he came from, before the exhibit moves into his wartime and political career.
The Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle stands at 9 Rue Princesse in the Vieux-Lille district of Lille, in Hauts-de-France, France. It is the townhouse where Charles de Gaulle was born in 1890, at the home of his maternal grandparents. Now a museum, it combines a preserved family residence with an exhibition on the life of the future general and president, and it offers a compact, personal view of the man behind the national figure.
The rooms are furnished with family pieces and personal objects, tracing his childhood and the bourgeois Lille household he came from. The birth room itself is kept close to how it would have looked in 1890, with the family cradle and period furnishings, and other rooms present toys, photographs, letters and documents. Visitors see how a Catholic, patriotic Northern family shaped his early outlook before the displays move on to his wartime leadership and political career, including the appeal of 18 June 1940 and his years as head of state.
A visit usually takes 45 minutes to one hour. Admission is about €6, with entry free for children under 12. The house is open from Wednesday to Monday, 10:00 to 18:00, and closed on Tuesdays. Weekday mornings are the quietest, while weekend afternoons and school holidays bring more visitors and small groups, which can make the narrow rooms feel crowded.
Because the house is compact, it works best paired with a walk through the surrounding Vieux-Lille district, with its Flemish-style brick houses, boutiques and cafés, rather than treated as a half-day stop. The Vieille Bourse and the Grand Place are within easy walking distance, and the Palais des Beaux-Arts is a short metro ride away.
The museum is five minutes' walk from the Rihour metro stop on lines M1 and M2. Displays are mainly in French, though translation aids or booklets may be available, so non-French speakers may wish to ask at the entrance. Photography policy varies by room, and visitors should follow signage.
| Admission | €6 / ~$7; under 12 free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Wed–Mon 10:00–18:00, closed Tue |
| Typical visit | 45 min–1 hour |
| Best time | Weekday mornings |
| Getting there | Metro M1/M2 to Rihour stop; 5-min walk |
| Address | 9 Rue Princesse, 59800 Lille |
Location
9 Rue Princesse, 59800 Lille
50.6361, 3.0617 View on map
Highlights
- The birth room with the family cradle and period furnishings
- Family objects, photographs and letters from de Gaulle's childhood
- Exhibition on his wartime and political career
- Location in the Vieux-Lille district
Tips for visiting
- Admission is about €6; children under 12 enter free.
- The house is closed on Tuesdays.
- Pair the visit with a walk through Vieux-Lille.
- Weekday mornings are quietest.
- Metro M1 or M2 to Rihour, then five minutes on foot.
When to visit
Weekday mornings are the calmest time to visit. Weekend afternoons are busier in the small rooms.
Accessibility
As a historic townhouse, the museum has stairs between floors and narrow rooms, so access for wheelchair users may be limited. Visitors with mobility needs should enquire in advance.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
About 45 minutes to one hour.
Is it worth it for kids?
Children under 12 enter free, though the history-focused displays suit older children best.
Is photography allowed?
Rules vary by room, so visitors should follow signage or ask at the entrance.
When is the house closed?
It is closed on Tuesdays and open Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 to 18:00.