Serge Gainsbourg lived at 5 bis rue de Verneuil from 1969 until his passing in 1991, composing songs, raising his family, and hosting illustrious guests. Charlotte recalls quiet Sundays spent browsing comic books in his office, lying on the carpet as the sound of his typewriter filled the room. The house, she remembers, was filled with small rituals—morning coffee, the familiar flick of his Zippo lighter, the careful arrangement of objects that seemed to form a personal symphony of his daily life.

Thanks to headphones and a spatialised sound technology, visitors can conjure such scenes as they explore the two-storey residence, filled with furnishings, artwork, and collected ephemera reflecting his eclectic taste and singular genius, guided by the voice of Charlotte Gainsbourg retracing personal memories and anecdotes all about to the house.

From the ground floor living room, a sombre yet theatrical space featuring black felt-lined walls, English-style bow windows, and black diamond marble flooring, to the private quarters upstairs—including Gainsbourg’s study where he retired to read, write, and compose, a mahogany-panelled bathroom, and his bedroom—everything has been preserved just as Gainsbourg left it.

Just across the street at 14 rue de Verneuil, the museum presents a curated journey through Gainsbourg’s artistic evolution. Divided into thematic chapters, the permanent collection showcases 450 original objects, from handwritten manuscripts and artworks to his legendary wardrobe. Among the highlights is the famed single-button pinstriped jacket—purchased on Portobello Road in 1973, which became a second skin to the artist, and an emblem of his dandyish nonchalance. The museum’s design allows visitors to experience Gainsbourg’s story as he might have narrated it himself; through rare archival footage, film clips, and recorded interviews, his unmistakable voice resonates through the space. The museum also houses a book and gift shop, where literary classics from Gainsbourg’s personal collection sit alongside exclusive vinyl pressings of his discography.

At the same address, Gainsbarre is a space where music continues to resonate beyond the static confines of display cases. By day, the space is an understated café; by night, it transforms into an elegant piano bar, conjuring the spirit of Gainsbourg’s early career playing in Parisian cabarets. The decor, a meticulous recreation of his home’s design language, is punctuated by water lily-printed carpeting, lacquered mashrabiya screens, and atmospheric lighting that reveals handwritten manuscripts embedded within mirrored walls, while the drinks menu includes a selection of his favourite cocktails such as the Gibson, the Terrible, and the infamous 102—his clever way of ordering a double shot of Pastis 51 (a traditional French anise-based spirit). Every evening, live pianists bring the space to life, with repertoires spanning jazz, blues, and Gainsbourg’s own compositions, ensuring that the soundscape of his world is never silent.

In what is an exquisitely curated homage to the artist, his world is not merely remembered but revived, ensuring that his presence will linger on in both sound and spirit into the future.