The Serge Gainsbourg house and museum in Paris has been put into receivership, a kind of bankruptcy, because of alleged financial mismanagement by one of its financial backers. The museum can no longer pay its bills despite sold-out tickets a year after it opened.
The company that runs the Maison Gainsbourg, a museum that includes the building where the pop icon Serge Gainsbourg lived for 22 years, has been put into receivership because it no longer has money to pay its suppliers.
The Paris commercial court approved the move on 18 September to address a €1.6 million shortfall, according to the Informé investigative website. This forces a reorganisation but avoids liquidation.
The developer Dominique Dutreix, who owns half the project with Gainsbourg’s daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg, has been ordered by the court to reimburse €1.5 million of unauthorised withdrawals.
In court in March, Dutreix said the withdrawals were covered by the agreement signed with Gainsbourg, which he said was not clear about what was allowed. The court disagreed.
Since 9 August the museum has been unable to pay suppliers, including security and cleaning staff, electricity bills and accountants.
This, despite its success at attracting visitors since it opened on 20 September 2023.
Financial difficulties aside, the museum will not be closing, according to a lawyer representing Charlotte Gainsbourg
"The company is solvent, but it has accumulated debt linked to startup costs, and it cannot pay it back in the short term,” Jean Aittouares told the AFP news agency.
At a hearing in November, the commercial court will decide if it needs to continue monitoring the company for another six months.
(with AFP)
