Colombey-les-Deux-Églises – 03.06.2026: The former residence of General Charles de Gaulle, La Boisserie, is currently at the center of a fierce inheritance dispute between his descendants. The four grandchildren of the general – Charles (77 years), Yves (74 years), Jean (72 years), and Pierre (62 years) – disagree on the planned sale of this historic estate, which has sparked not only family conflicts but also the interest of the French government.
The estate located in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, in Haute-Marne, was acquired in 1934 by Charles de Gaulle and served as his refuge as well as a symbol of his political and personal history. After the death of his son, Admiral Philippe de Gaulle, in March 2024, the ownership rights passed to his four grandchildren. They must now decide whether they wish to sell or keep this heritage.
The French government is closely monitoring this matter and is considering purchasing La Boisserie to protect this estate as a national heritage site and to make it accessible to the public. According to media sources, the real estate value is estimated between 800,000 and three million euros. President Emmanuel Macron as well as Minister of Justice Rachida Dati have recently spoken publicly about efforts to promote the preservation of the estate.
In particular, Yves de Gaulle, one of the grandchildren, has spoken firmly in favor of preserving La Boisserie. In an article for the magazine Le Point dated May 12, 2026, he described the house as a “solution for the future, by preserving it as a common heritage for all French people.” He proposes to entrust the estate to the administration of the Haute-Marne department to protect its historical value and to open the residence to visitors.
The conflict around La Boisserie illustrates the challenges associated with preserving important national heritage, especially when private family properties clash with public interest. Within the de Gaulle family, the desire to sell is creating tensions and uncertainty about the future of the house.
Beyond the family dimension, the general public is closely following the progress of negotiations and decisions. The outcome of this inheritance dispute will decisively influence the extent to which the legacy of the General de Gaulle can be preserved and presented with dignity to future generations. At the same time, the question arises as to how state institutions can protect historic sites when they belong to private hands.
Thus, La Boisserie symbolizes the fine line between private heritage and public cultural interest, which must continually be renegotiated in France.
Sources
- Le Point
- Boulevard Voltaire