Georgian PM says rehabilitation of historical Leuville Estate to conclude in 2026

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the Leuville Estate in France, the historical residence of the first Government of Georgia in exile after their escape from the Soviet invasion of the country in 1921, was a “part of the country’s history” and its “most precious heritage”, and pledged rehabilitation and restoration works at the Estate, running under the management of the Georgian Government, would be completed by late 2026.

The Government Administration cited the PM as saying the works served to “preserve the heritage for future generations”.

Tea Tsulukiani, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Sports, provided Kobakhidze with detailed information about the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Estate.

The Government Administration said the roof of the Estate’s château, rehabilitation of the watchman's house and improvement of artistic residences had been completed as part of the effort.

The Museum of History of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia and France-Georgia Relations will be located on the first floor of the château’, while eight living spaces will be set up on the second floor. The Estate’s forth-hectare fence has also been restored. 

The Leuville Georgian Academy, a museum and archive space, library, conference hall, media library and a “Georgian corner” are scheduled to be set up on the territory of the estate until September 2026.

The château’s transfer to Georgia was agreed with France in principle in 2011 after the estate was recognised as a symbolic place for Georgia and a place of historical importance.

The 4.5-hectare venue, located 37 kilometres south of Paris, was transferred to Georgia in 2016, with the agreement signed by the State Minister of Georgia for Diaspora Issues and descendants and representatives of members of the 1918-1921 Georgian Government.

Kobakhidze, his delegation members and Leuville Mayor Eric Braive paid tribute to the memory of Noe Zhordania, the Chair of the Government of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia, during their visit to the venue.