Cultural and historical highlights

Colombey-Les-Deux-Églises has a clear cultural and historical focus. The Mémorial Charles de Gaulle, La Boisserie, the Croix de Lorraine and the village church offer different ways to explore contemporary history, family history and architecture.

The Mémorial and the Croix de Lorraine

The Mémorial Charles de Gaulle is a place of remembrance and interpretation dedicated to Charles de Gaulle. Its immersive scenography presents the life, work and legacy of the general, as well as the history of the 20th century. Its focus therefore extends beyond a single biography, placing de Gaulle’s life’s work in a broader historical context. At the foot of the Croix de Lorraine, the Mémorial has 2,000 square metres of exhibition space. The Croix is 44 metres high and made of pink granite and bronze. The exhibition space and the monument offer two ways to engage with the subject: immersive interpretation and a tangible symbol of remembrance. A Mirage IV is permanently displayed in the Mémorial’s car park.

La Boisserie: family home and park

La Boisserie is the family home acquired in 1934 by Charles and Yvonne de Gaulle, set in a 2.5-hectare park. It has been open to the public since 1979. On a visit, you can see the entrance hall, living room, dining room, library and park. This visit offers a different emphasis from the Mémorial: the focus here is on the family home and the rooms open to visitors. Check the current visiting arrangements before your visit.

Church and architectural history

The village church has an axial chapel with Romanesque capitals, side chapels dating from the 16th century, and a nave and side aisle from the 19th century. These dates reveal the different periods represented in the building. An axial chapel is aligned with the main axis of the church interior; capitals are the upper parts of columns or pillars. A pew reserved for the de Gaulle family is also in the village church.

Route connections and practical information

Colombey-Les-Deux-Églises lies at the starting point of the tourist Champagne route. This route connection adds a geographical reference point to the cultural themes. When planning, you can choose between Colombey as a destination in its own right and the route as a broader framework. For practical orientation in the village, a square with a toilet and water is available next to the town hall. Before travelling, check whether the municipal information is still current.

The differences between the cultural sites can help you choose your focus: the Mémorial presents a life in the context of the 20th century, La Boisserie centres on the family home, and the village church highlights architectural history through its dated features. The Croix de Lorraine serves as a monumental symbol of remembrance.

Discover more destinations: Le Val-D'esnoms, Villegusien-Le-Lac, Verseilles-le-Bas, Vecqueville, Chatoillenot, Parnoy-en-Bassigny, Foulain, Orges

For the wider travel overview: Haute-Marne.