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Colombey-Les-Deux-Eglises is a french 650-inhabitant commune located in Haute-Marne, a department of Champagne-Ardenne region.
This commune is 27 km at the north-east of Chaumont (the prefecture), near the border of the Aube department.
This
village became famous after General De Gaulle purchased a house there,
called “La Brasserie”, which he renamed “La Boisserie”. He selected
Colombey because it was located at equal distance from Paris and
his east and north garrisons. Moreover he really appreciated its
austere sceneries made from moors and hoods over the provinces of
Champagne, Lorraine and Bourgogne, which illustrated his soul.
The General dedicated to Colombey the latest pages of his famous book War Memoirs :
« Vastes, frustes et tristes horizons ; bois, prés, cultures et
friches mélancoliques ; relief d'anciennes montagnes très usées et
résignées ; villages tranquilles et peu fortunés dont rien, depuis des
millènaires, n'a changé l'âme, ni la place...... »
He
is buried in the village cemetery in a humble grave with only the
inscription "Charles de Gaulle 1890-1970" but at the western exit of
the village a 164 ft (50 m) high Cross of Lorraine was built,
commemorating his distinguished wartime role as commander of the Free
French Forces.
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