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Wikipedia / Jean Villard

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. He served in the Swiss Army during World War I in Soubey, Jura, recalling that he defended the bridge that crosses the river Doubs.

Roles at the Theatre

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

  • 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

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

Plays at the Théâtre du Jorat Mézières

  • 1950 « Passage de l'étoile »

  • 1960 « La Grange aux Roud »

Bibliography

  • Albert Urfer, Qui va piano..., 1978

  • Alex Décotte, Le siècle de Gilles, 1995

  • Le meilleur de Gilles (3 volumes), Publi-Libris, 2003

Notes