Jean Villard Gilles



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 Doubs River.

Roles at the Theatre

 * 1919: L'histoire du soldat from Igor Stravinski 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

 * 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 of his

 * 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

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 »