The final worldwide tour of French performer Juliette Gréco, titled Merci, concluded a career that spanned six decades of chanson and cinema. Born in Montpellier in 1927, she became a definitive figure of the Parisian Left Bank, eventually gaining international recognition for her work with notable poets and composers who provided the lyrics and music for her distinctive vocal repertoire.
Early Life and Education
Raised in Bordeaux by her grandparents and later moving to Paris, Gréco trained as a ballerina at the Opéra Garnier starting in 1938. After experiencing periods of imprisonment and hardship, she relocated to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district in 1945. She began formal acting instruction with Solange Sicard and made her professional stage debut in November 1946, appearing in Victor ou les Enfants au pouvoir.
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Frequent visits to Saint-Germain-des-Prés cafes introduced her to key intellectuals, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Boris Vian, and Jacques Prévert. Sartre noted her unique ability to interpret poetry, leading to her designation as the muse of existentialism. She performed at venues such as Le Tabou and transitioned to cabaret singing in 1949 at Le Bœuf sur le toit, gaining popularity with songs like Si tu t'imagines.
Cinema and International Work
Gréco pursued a film career appearing in works by directors Jean Cocteau and Jean-Pierre Melville, with a notable role in Cocteau’s 1950 film Orphée. Following a mention in Time magazine, she attracted the attention of Hollywood producers, leading to parts in international productions like The Sun Also Rises in 1957. Throughout the 1960s, she released several of her most recognized songs, including Paris Canaille, La Javanaise, and Déshabillez-moi.
Public Life and Recognition
Throughout her career, she received numerous distinctions, including the Victory of honor in 2007 and being named a Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit in 2015. She held various ranks within the Legion of Honour, culminating in her appointment as Commander in 2012. Her influence extended into fashion and culture, resulting in a rose variety named in her honor and a commemorative plaza inaugurated in Paris in 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 1927, Montpellier
- Died: 2020, Ramatuelle
- Buried at: Montparnasse Cemetery
- Spouses: Philippe Lemaire, Michel Piccoli, Gérard Jouannest
- Major songs: Paris Canaille, La Javanaise, Déshabillez-moi
- Final tour: Merci (begun 2015)
- Highest honour: Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit (2015)
Questions readers ask
Was Juliette Gréco associated with the existentialist movement?
Yes, she was a fixture of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés cafe scene, befriending thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Boris Vian, which earned her the nickname the muse of existentialism.
What was the inspiration behind the Beatles song Michelle?
Paul McCartney stated the song was inspired by the French bohemian culture of the Left Bank and Juliette Gréco, whose style influenced the group's aesthetic during that period.
Achievements
- Commander of the Legion of Honour — 2012
- Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit — 2015
- Commander of the National Order of Merit — 2006
- Officer of the National Order of Merit — 1999
- Officer of the Legion of Honour — 2002
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: chanson
