Maison Gainsbourg

Maison Gainsbourg is an intimate and concentrated experience of the life and work of Serge Gainsbourg. located at two numbers on the rue verneuil, between the fifth and sixth arrondissements of Paris, this House-museum is the culmination of a project that took three decades to see the light of day. the aim was to bring Gainsbourg’s genius to as many people as possible and to enrich knowledge of every facet of his work. the museum’s collection comprises around 450 original pieces, including manuscripts, works of art, photographs, emblematic objects, audio and video recordings, some of which have never been released before, jewellery and clothing, all belonging to the artist. the journey through Gainsbourg’s life is divided into eight chapters in chronological order, a deep and emotional path of discovery, always overshadowed by a veil of melancholy and mystery. the basement floor is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, the aim of which is to highlight some of the key events in the life and career of Serge Gainsbourg - also through loans from institutions and private collections.

the project of Maison Gainsbourg was entrusted to Jaques Garcia studio. the House-museum is located in an 18th century building that was once a publishing House, then a spa and finally became Maison Gainsbourg. the complete renovation project restores the architectural and collector’s vocabulary as Gainsbourg conceived it in the 1960s.

as a result, the museum itinerary begins in a long black corridor, almost as if walking down a path of initiation, and an entire wall is occupied by a bookcase-display cabinet filled with iconic pieces, letters, photographs and vinyl records. discreet lighting was devised for this rich and stimulating display, using microtraccia tracks with a special version of faretto micromen, the smallest of its kind, the 13x8 and arcoled linear systems: the light source blends into the scenery, leaving only the objects on display to capture the visitor’s attention. on the opposite side, eight large framed screens show a selection of archival television and film footage, photographs and radio recordings from the Gainsbourg universe. towering at the end of the corridor is ‘l’homme à tête de chou’, the sculpture by Claude Lalanne purchased in 1976 which inspired the title of Serge Gainsbourg’s album of the same name. turning into the second part of the corridor, the immersive and enigmatic atmosphere continues between black walls and soft light, just enough not to lose your way.

the bookshop-boutique maintains the exhibiting mood of the museum area, keeping the setting dark and intimate using black wooden furniture, on which precious volumes of art history, cinema, poetry and biographies dedicated to Serge Gainsbourg are displayed. in addition to the ambient light provided by discreet m1 micro spotlights fully recessed into the ceiling, 13x8 and arcoled are integrated in the display shelves, while the posters on display are illuminated by a special version of tubino parete integrated with cisei track.

the tour ends with the Gainsbarre, a café by day and piano bar in the evening, where the atmosphere is inspired by the early years of Gainsbourg’s musical career, when he worked as a pianist in the bars and cabarets of the french capital. the ambience is aesthetically consistent with the rest of the maison: walls clad in black felt, carpeting patterned with poppies and water lilies, black lacquered screens, occasional niches in white frames that punctuate the space, a pause in the penumbra containing posters and photographs. the light is low, intimate, inviting soft-spoken conversation. it comes mainly from fogli di luce positioned behind the bar counter and from the few tables present, on each of which is a manondovevamovedercipiù, a portable and rechargeable battery-powered lamp with exquisite finishings. next to the piano is a roy lettura, shedding just enough light on the sheet music.