When you think of France, you probably imagine yourself strolling along the Seine, listening to the distant accordion playing a soft lullaby of La Vie en Rose or Je ne Regrette Rien...
You're not alone - that's what first pops to most people's mind! Today, let's take a P'Niche peek to learn more about birthday girl and chanteuse Édith Piaf...
Picture it: 1915 Paris in the Belleville quartier, which is located in the northeastern hilly area of Paris (outskirts of Paris at the time) - edging it's southern neighbor of Ménilmontan.
We've reached the end of the year, a blustery day in December when a legend was born.
And born in a legendary fashion...
Born (literally) in dramatic fashion, little Édith Piaf (née Édith Giovanna Gassion) was said to have been born under a doorway - 72, rue de Belleville, specifically, on December 19, 1915.
Talk about a special delivery!
She was born to parents Line Marsa, a café singer and Louis Alphonse - a busker (street acrobat and performer).
Petite Édith's childhood was riddled with angst and woes. Abandoned by her parents at a very young age, she was reared by her paternal grandmother - in a brothel.
She temporarily lost her vision, aged three, suffering a compilation from a bout of meningitis. Thankfully, she was able to regain her sight at the age of 7 (often thought to be prayers answered by a pool of prostitutes who gathered funds for a pilgrimage honoring Saint Thérèse de Lisieux. (We covered her briefly in our tale about Notre Dame des Victoires).
At that very tender age of 7, Édith joined her father on the road, soon after performing in the streets (often in the company of lesser known and petty criminals). Joined by her friend Simone Berteaut, as well, she was able to use her uniquely sweet voice to scrape by a meager earnings.
Aged 15, Édith continued her street singing, and with Simone, was able to detach from her oftentimes abusive father. The two were able to gather enough cash to rent an apartment of their own at 18, rue Véron, in this hills of Montmartre.
Still in her teens, Édith met and fell in love with Louis Dupont, giving birth to a daughter Marcelle, who heart breakingly passed of meningitis as a 2 year old toddler, in 1935.
Still in 1935, and now aged 19, Édith was discovered by Louis Leplée - the famed owner of Le Gerny Cabaret on Rue Pierre-Charron (75008).
It was Louis who aided Édith overcome extreme stage fright and work through her tiny frame (a petite 4'8" - 142 cm tall).
Dressing her in her now trademark black dress, Louis lovingly gave her the nick name "La Môme Piaf," which loosely translates to "the Waif Sparrow Piaf."
Of course, we know that that name stuck with her and is spoken with acclaim - and reverence - to this day.
Despite gaining recognition and now recording her first two records (the latter being composed by Marguerite Monnot), tragedy, which had a way of following our heroine, would strike in 1936.
On April 06, Louis Leplée was found murdered. Adding insult to injury, Édith was brought in for questioning, with the thought that she may have been an accessory in his death. All accusations were later dropped when it was learned that the killings were mob related.
Innocence notwithstanding, Édith's reputation had taken a hit, leading her to recruit French lyricist Raymond Asso for some damage control.
While working together, Raymond helped Édith to permanently take Édith Piaf as her stage name.
The pair also became involved romantically and during this time, Raymond helped to steer Édith's career, bringing her back to the spotlight - for the right reasons.
They continued to engage Marguerite to compose songs that would lend themselves to portraying Édith's autobiography, romanticizing her street songs and humble beginnings.
As we edge into World War II, we note that our Little Sparrow was one of the most popular and sought after acts. While her many concerts for German service men were highly controversial and frowned upon (leading to many whispers of Nazi collaboration), Édith was later cleared of any wrong doing.
In fact, she was working for the French Resistance the entire time and had been instrumental in several Jewish comrades with their escape from Nazi persecution.
Post War, her fame only grew with her writing and Performing the iconic "La Vie en Rose" in 1945.
Post war, Édith had other lovers, (notably boxer Marcel Cerdan), but was more focused on her career. That said, the song "Hymne à l'Amour" was written and dedicated to Cerdan, after his tragic passing in a plane crash in 1950.
That same year, in 1950 alone, Édith was booking shows all over the globe. She sang all over Europe and South America to rave reviews. It took us a little longer to warm to her in the States but, she was able to secure several televised performances on the wildly popular Ed Sullivan show all throughout the 1950s.
That said, drama would once again appear for Édith. After 1951, she was injured in three major car crashes. Her treatment led her to fall to dependency on morphine, with an already existing alcohol addiction.
After many spectacular and well publicized affairs, and Édith noting herself that Marcel Cerdan was her deepest love, Piaf married twice in her lifetime.
It was 1952 that saw Édith's first trip down the aisle, when she wed singer Jacques Pil (né: René Ducos). Dear friend Marlene Dietrich was her Maid of Honor. That union lasted from 1952-1957, ending in a divorce.
In 1962, Édith found companionship with a man 20 years her junior.
She and her hairdresser, Théo Sarapo (Theophanis Lamboukas) wed, with this marriage lasting one year - until her passing in 1963.
In her 60's Piaf continued to work, sing, and tour extensively.
She adored particularly performing to her loving home audiences in Paris.
In fact, it wasn't until 1960 when her recording of the Charles Dumont and Michel Vaucaire song "Je Ne Regrette Rien," became her official anthem - a touchstone title to which all people would link her to.
In April 1963, Édith recorded her last song. It was "l'Homme de Berlin," which she recorded with her husband Théo, with her last spoken words being, "Every damn thing you do in this life, you have to pay for."
Shortly after that recording, Édith slipped into a coma, stemming from an ongoing battle of liver cancer.
She passed at age 47, on October 10, 1963, in the French Riviera. Husband Théo drove her body to Paris secretly, thus leading her fanbase to believe she had died in her hometown - Paris.
She is laid to rest in Père Lachaise beside her beloved daughter, Marcelle.
While Marion Coltillard portrayed Piaf with impeccable skill in the 2007 bio-pic, we think that The Sparrow would have given a Standing O to Céline Dion's rendition of "Hymne à l'Amour" at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympiad.
You can view this truly poignant and exceptional performance here.
You can visit le Musée Édith Piaf
5, rue Crespin du Gast (75011)
Métro: Ménilmontant (Line 2)
Opening times:
Monday to Wednesday, 1pm - 6pm
By appointment only
Make by telephone: +33 (0) 1 43 55 52 72.
Tickets are 10€
What do you say, P'Nicher? Are you inspired by the music and life of Édith Piaf? Do you have a favorite song? Let us in the comments below et à bientôt!
I adore her - I knew she lived with strife and hardships, but wow. Love her