It took me a while , worse when you have family about an hour from the city. But often said, living and visiting are two different things . When in the area stay with family and this time again,however, did it in reverse order, when to see Lille and its sights, (stay tune for posts), and then went to see family. Therefore, let me tell you about the Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle in Lille ! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille on November 22, 1890, in the house of his maternal grandparents, at 9 rue Princesse. Jules-Émile and Julia Maillot (textile industrialists), as was customary. wanted at the time. The same day, he was baptized at the Saint-André Church located on rue Royale. Charles de Gaulle sometimes stayed there during his childhood and adolescence. Each room of the house allows the visitor to immerse themselves in the time of the birth of Charles de Gaulle thanks to family memories, portraits, and personal objects from the family including the cradle, the baptismal robe, the saber from Saint-Cyrien…Purchased by the Charles de Gaulle Foundation in 1992, this house was transformed into a museum which has been managed since 2014 by the Department of the Nord 59.
The house recreates the characteristic atmosphere of a residence of the industrial lower middle class in the North of France at the end of the 19C. Family souvenirs and personal objects are exhibited there and evoke De Gaulle’s youth (cradle, baptismal robe, Saint-Cyrien sword, etc.). A space hosting 2 to 3 exhibitions per year has been set up in the right wing of the house.The house is open every day except Tuesday from 10h to 18h. Located at 9 rue Princesse, in the Old Lille district, The house is layout as follows : On the ground floor : the winter garden, the dining room, the small living room, the large living room, the kitchen. And on the First floor : the birth room, Madame Maillot’s room, the guest room,and the attic.
Two walking circuits are offered in 13 stages, marked by a nail on the ground bearing the image of the general. The course can be started at any stage. There is no chronological order either. Maps of the route, in which you will also find numerous explanations, anecdotes and family memories on each of the stages, are available at the house or Lille Tourist Office. Length of circuits: 6.3 km and 4.4 km. The annex History Factory, installed in the former tulle factory of his maternal grandfather, is converted into a culture center.
As it relates to the above, I like to tell you here about the Church Saint André, his baptismal church.
The Saint-André Church is located on rue Royale. Its construction took place from the 18C to the 19C. The Saint-André parish founded in 1233 and its church was outside the city wall around the road to Ypres (current rue Saint-André) in the extension of the main road of the castrum, former rue Saint -Pierre ( current rue de la Monnaie and rue de la Collégiale ) passing through the Porte Saint-Pierre gate The church was at the end of the new district near the rampart between the current rue Saint-André and the rue du rempart. Damaged by shells during the siege of 1708 by the imperial army, it was destroyed in 1784 and replaced by the current church which was originally the chapel of the convent of the Grands Carmes. The campanile, located near the choir, was erected in 1756. The bell tower, on the facade, was added in 1887.The church, with an elongated three-nave plan, without transept, measures 71 meters long by 23.5 meters wide with a vault height of 28 meters. In this church, were baptized: General Faidherbe, in 1818; Cardinal Liénart, in 1884; and General de Gaulle, November 22, 1890.
The Lille tourist office on the St André Church: https://www.lille.fr/Nos-equipements/Eglise-Saint-Andre
The Birthplace house of Gen de Gaulle of Lille : https://maisondegaulle.fr/
The Fondation Charles de Gaulle on the house : https://www.charles-de-gaulle.org/les-lieux-gaulliens/la-maison-natale-charles-de-gaulle/
There you go folks, a dandy city of the Nord that is North of France. I was finally back to Lille and it was great with many family memories flashing but glad I did it now. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle of Lille in Lille ! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 