the tomb of the first Miss France, renovated, awaits its flower crowns in Espelette

The very first Miss France, elected “Most Beautiful Woman” in the country in 1920, still rests in peace but no longer completely in anonymity. Since the inauguration of the renovated tomb of Agnès Souret, this Friday, June 14, in Espelette, her short life (1902-1928) has finally gone beyond the Wikipedia stage to enter posterity. And this, despite a ceremony marked by the absence of the Miss France committee – lack of time – and of the deputies, who had not seen this period of electoral reserve coming. “Too bad,” says Jean-Marie Iputcha. Between us, we’re good too. »

The mayor of Espelette thinks that the memory of Agnès Souret will capture attention, with or without the invited Areopagus. Her first Miss, however, is not part of the 27 club (1), since she died at 26 years old. In addition, the flowering of his tomb lags behind that of Luis Mariano, who sees nearly 30,000 admirers pass through Arcangues per year.

“Her name is certainly not as famous, but Miss France speaks to everyone,” underlines Jérôme Zapata. A tour guide in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, he remains knowledgeable about the beauty queen and her mausoleum, which he has been showing to tourists for ten years. “In the Art Deco style, my specialty, his tomb is one of only two in Aquitaine to have been classified as a historic monument. Everything accelerated when I launched an online petition to renovate it,” adds the guide. In fact, 18,000 euros were released (2).

“Become like her”

Former mayor André Darraidou (1989-2006) was the first to imagine this beauty, attached to the Saint-Étienne d’Espelette church. His wish has today been granted: under the watchful eye of Cultural Affairs, the Compagnons de Saint-Jacques have finished treating the pink marble; and Gérald Franzetti took care of the stained glass windows with care. “I find this renovation successful,” smiles Maude Ricard, elevated to the rank of Miss Basque Country in February. ” This woman [Agnès Souret, NDLR] is a reference for us, the Misses, continues the young Bayonnaise. We tell ourselves that we could perhaps become like her one day. »

Becoming Agnès Souret does not, however, only consist of receiving the crown, under the amazed eyes of Jean-Pierre Foucault. This design also implies a life shattered too early by peritonitis, after having eaten it from cabarets to social evenings, at the start of the Roaring Twenties. But Maude was thinking especially of the crown.

“I hope that this tomb will be more and more visited and decorated with flowers,” continues Jérôme Zapata. “We will have to put it in the guides,” adds Jean-Marie Iputcha. I am sometimes criticized for doing too much to attract tourists. I am told that Espelette pepper is enough to guarantee our notoriety. But I find it normal to highlight our heritage. I would be surprised if there were picnics at the cemetery. » Where we learn, in passing, that Agnès Souret was a free woman, a milliner who became a ballet dancer then a cabaret dancer at the Folies Bergère. That she dreamed of following in the footsteps of Sarah Bernhardt. His tomb will perhaps follow those of Luis Mariano.

(1) Formed by music legends who died at the age of 27, such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse.

(2) The Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs contributed 3,600 euros, to which was added an anonymous donation of 300 euros. The rest of the financing was provided by the town hall.