Page 39 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

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5 CHANSONS

“La mer” (1946)
Charles Trenet
“La vie en rose”
(1946)
Edith Piaf
“Tous les garcons
et les filles” (1962)
Françoise Hardy
“Je t’aime… moi
non plus” (1968)
Serge Gainsbourg and
Jane Birkin
“Les Champs-Élysées”
(1970)
Joe Dassin

A collection of mementos
in the Musée d'Edith Piaf in
Paris, and (inset) Jane Birkin
and Serge Gainsbourg

PRESERVING THE
HERITAGE: LE HALL
DE LA CHANSON
Le Hall de la Chanson,
or “Le Hall”, preserves
the heritage of France’s
most cherished musical
style. Located in the
Parc de la Villette, it is Discover Origin Stories
an ideal spot to seek out In Paris, Gainsbourg fans pay homage at his former home (5 bis
concerts, talks, seminars rue de Verneuil); the inside has remained untouched since his
and other events in its death in 1991, but it remains private and accepts no visitors.
140-seat auditorium. Across the river, near Cimetière du Père Lachaise, Edith Piaf is
You can even sing along remembered in the intimate Musée Édith Piaf (5 rue Crespin du
at the weekly Café Gast); full of mementos, it is opened by appointment only. Further
Chantant event held south, you can follow in the footsteps of chanteuse Mireille
in Le Hall's new Mathieu, who still lives in Avignon, while in the nearby fishing
cabaret restaurant. village of Sète, the streets are filled with the sounds of the
legendary singer Georges Brassens, who made his home there.
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