Jean Villard
Illustration — Gilles photographied in 1975 by Erling Mandelmann Jean Villard, known as Gilles (2 June 1895 in Montreux (Switzerland) – 26 March 1982 in Vevey), originating from Daillens, was a French Swiss multi-talented chansonnier, poet, humorist, comedian, actor, and cabaretist. He was friends with Édith Piaf, Ernest Ansermet, Jacques Brel, Jean Poiret, Michel Serrault and met also with Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz. He gave his last interview in December 1981 at his home, where he confided that "I have always tried my best to be a poet." One of Lausanne's parks, on the Avenue du Théâtre, now bears his name.
Also recorded as Gilles (of "Gilles et Julien")
Jean Villard
Urs.Schmid007 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Born
- 1895. · Vernex.
- Died
- 1982. · Saint-Saphorin.
- Nationality
- Switzerland.
- Occupation
- singer-songwriter, poet, actor, writer, chansonnier, cabaret performer and singer.
- Languages
- French.
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
Illustration — Gilles photographied in 1975 by Erling Mandelmann Jean Villard, known as Gilles (2 June 1895 in Montreux (Switzerland) – 26 March 1982 in Vevey), originating from Daillens, was a French Swiss multi-talented chansonnier, poet, humorist, comedian, actor, and cabaretist. He was friends with Édith Piaf, Ernest Ansermet, Jacques Brel, Jean Poiret, Michel Serrault and met also with Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz. He gave his last interview in December 1981 at his home, where he confided that "I have always tried my best to be a poet." One of Lausanne's parks, on the Avenue du Théâtre, now bears his name.
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wikidata · Q3175041 · wikipedia · Jean Villard
In this article
Roles at the Theatre
Roles at the Theatre
He served in the Swiss Army during World War I in Soubey, Jura, recalling that he defended the bridge that crosses the river Doubs.
• 1918: L'histoire du soldat by Igor Stravinsky and Charles Ferdinand Ramuz • 1920-1930: Several roles at the "Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier" in Paris, directed by Jacques Copeau • 1920: Cromedeyre-le-Vieil by Jules Romains, directed by Jacques Copeau, Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier • 1930: Plays in « La Compagnie des Quinze » • 1931: La Mauvaise Conduite d'après Plaute, Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
Chansonnier
Chansonnier
• 1932–1939 duo « Gilles et Julien », with A.-M. Julien (Aman Maistre (1903–2001) • 1940–1948 duo with Édith Burger, • 1948–1975 duo with Albert Urfer
Cabaret owner
Cabaret owner
• 1940: he founded the cabaret « Coup de Soleil » in Lausanne with Edith Burger, an anti-Nazi, resistance, gathering place • 1947: he founded the cabaret « Chez Gilles » in Paris • discovers Jacques Brel, then an unknown beginner whom he immediately hired. • 1955: « Chez Gilles » in Lausanne
Some well-known works
Some well-known works
• 1932: Dollar, first « chanson française engagée » of the 20th century • 1936: La Belle France the anthem of the French Resistance Popular Front • 1940: Les trois cloches interpreted by Édith Piaf with Les Compagnons de la chanson • 1940: 14 juillet • 1948: Le Bonheur • 1951: A L'Enseigne de la Fille Sans Cœur interpreted by Édith Piaf • 1954: La Venoge • 1958: Nos Colonels
Plays at the Théâtre du Jorat Mézières
Plays at the Théâtre du Jorat Mézières
• 1950 « Passage de l'étoile » • 1960 « La Grange aux Roud »
Cette plaque commémorative est apposée à ce qui était l'entrée du cabaret « Coup de Soleil » (1940-1948). Elle est située sur la Rue de la Paix, à Lausanne.
Boblafoudre
Places
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Vernex.
Birth place
Saint-Saphorin.
Death place
Books
• 1943, « Les Histoires de Gilles » • 1954, « Mon demi siècle », Librérie Payot • 1960, « La Venoge et autres poèmes » - images by Géa Augsburg, Editions du Verseau et Librairie Payot, Lausanne • 1963, « Chansons que tout cela!», (Le meilleur de Gilles », tome I) • 1969, « Mon demi siècle et demi », Payot • 1971, « Le dernier mot », (Le meilleur de Gilles", tome II) • 1978, « Amicalement vôtre, Récits, chansons et souvenir », Editions Pierre-Marcel Favre
Primary material
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reference work
- “Jean Villard”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q3175041: Jean Villard
General reference · Wikidata
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reference work
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General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 20 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Books
38,988 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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