Johnny Hallyday, Michel Polnareff… When the stars paraded at the Cherbourg casino

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Latest article dedicated to the former owner of the casino from Cherbourg (Manche), Maurice Leménager.

Under his leadership, between the 1950s and 1980sthe casino has become an essential place in the cultural world of our citythrough the musiquebut also the paint.

More than 1,600 artists welcomed

Back to the great hours and the big names who came to his establishment, for an evening or a exposition.

Inasmuch as director of the Casino, Maurice Leménager will have welcomed 1 620 artistesof the young talents like very big names, like Georges Brassens, Johnny Hallyday, Charles Trenet, Marcel Amont, Jean Ferrat, Mouloudji, the Peters Sisters, Michel Polnareff and many others.

In 1984as part of an article by Guy Mabire, journalist from La Presse de la MancheMr. Leménager had also recounted some anecdotes on the coming of the idol of young people at the Cherbourg casino in July 1961: “Johnny Hallyday had not received a fantastic fee, the latter must have been of the order of three thousand francs ».

What remains of our loves?

Maurice Leménager reigned over the world of Cherbourg nights. He wanted and defended a broad programwhich can suit everyone.

Moreover, at that time, the nightlife was not just limited to the casino: other establishments existed, such as the Royal and the Massif Central located Union Street or the Continental, which will become the Yalta, without forgetting the balls of the Hôtel de Franceor the Children of Cherbourg, youth meeting.

At the end of his professional activityMaurice Leménager had philosophized by emphasizing that the televisionpermanent and omnipresent, had most certainly destroyed the taste of going out and having fun.

However, it is true that the programming offered at the time by the Cherbourg casino was worthy of the finest varieties of French television. In 1949when he took charge of the establishment, the first artist to perform was the great Charles Trenet.

An important moment was also the arrival of the immense Sidney Bechet in July 1955. A few years later, the elegant Maurice Leménager received in his establishment the long-haired youth of the group Les Charlots, who a crazy atmospheremarking the director and spectators.

A certain smile

But the casino of this era is also painting and sculpture with the Admiralty Gallerywhere the Director defended eclecticism. Over 25 years, 385 artists will pass through this gallery, with the highlight of Christmas fair.

But life and time pass, like roulette turning on a gaming table. mars 1984after 35 years of galasof success of jeux but also of painting, the iconic director put an end to his functions as administrator of the Cherbourg casino, as well as its role as 1^is vice president of the uniondes casinos.

Retired our unforgettable director of the Casino shared his life between his apartment on rue Thomas-Henry in Cherbourg and his propertyof Saint-Jean-le-Thomas. Maurice Leménager died in June 1994rich in its souvenirs.

Today, thirty years after his deathmany Cherbourg residents remember his silhouette at the entrance to the Cherbourg casino, inseparable from his tuxedo and his smile.

Maurice Leménager is today a memory, a beautiful memory. That, perhaps, of a time when women and men prepared with a certain refinement to go out and go to the Casino de l'Amirauté, to have fun, meet and talk in real life, and not behind social networksscourges of our time.

Nicolas CALLUAUD

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