Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville elected president of the French Heritage Society

Love of French heritage and friendship with America… Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville cultivates these two qualities. “It’s even in the DNA of our family,” smiles this descendant of Alexis de Tocqueville, author of the famous Of democracy in America, whose intellectual heritage he brings to fruition from the family castle in Cotentin. This “coherence of interests,” he said, designated him, “naturally,” to take over as president, on January 1, of the French Heritage Society.

The American law association brings together “chapters”, a type of club, individual patrons and foundations in eleven cities in the United States. They are committed to supporting the restoration of buildings classified as historic monuments or listed in the complementary inventory with their significant and tax-exempt donations. Nearly 14 million euros have been collected since 1982 for the benefit of various buildings: private and public castles, small churches, such as the Sainte-Marie-aux-Anglais chapel, in Mezidon Vallée d’Auge (Calvados), and high places in the History of France, like the Monkey Cabinet of the National Archives. “We first mobilize our members around prestigious monuments, such as the Grand Palais or the Mont-Saint-Michel, then we show them a more modest heritage which also needs their help.”

“Strengthening ties”

At 67 years old, this lawyer has also held the position of secretary general of the High Legal Committee of the Paris financial center since January 2025. He knows the United States very well: “I studied there through a small foundation dedicated to my ancestor and regularly organizes conferences there.” At the French Heritage Society, Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville will work in tandem with his American alter ego: Timothy Corrigan, Californian interior designer. “We want to encourage the next generation of heritage defenders by presenting them with excellent know-how and the restoration professions. And also strengthen the links of our culture and common history with America,” he adds.

Isn’t the task difficult in the current context? “Our friends are from all political sides, but all remain very attached to their European roots,” replies the one who is delighted that Francophilia and passion for heritage continue to create bridges across the Atlantic.