Summer 2007. Hôtel de la Plage, in Vieux-Bourg. Room No. 8 savors its breathtaking view of Cap Fréhel one last time. She will not hear the delicate footsteps of the woman who stayed there for six to eight weeks every summer for around twenty years. Built in 1914, the establishment closed permanently.
The first time Brigitte Fontaine came there, it was with her mother. They arrived from Morlaix to spend a few days of vacation. Brigitte will return later, during a tour. “The first memory I really have of her, I must have been 18 years old,” rewinds Maryse Le Hingrat, former manager of the hotel. Brigitte arrived with her little yellow van to stop off. I didn’t know his Art exactly but I had already listened to his duets with Jacques Higelin of whom I was a fan. »
A character who stands out
Charmed by the place, the singer made it her favorite summer destination, almost without interruption from the end of the 80s to 2006. To the point of inspiring “Fréhel”, one of the flagship tracks of the album “Rue Saint-Louis-en -the Island” (2004). “I remember that she never looked at me in the eyes, probably out of shyness. She called me Maître Jacques whenever she wanted me to prepare a salmon tartare that she particularly liked,” relates Jacques Girard, brother of Maryse, in charge of the service in the dining room, then in the kitchen.
In this seaside village, which retains its authenticity and tranquility even in high season, Brigitte stands out. Surprised. Hustle. “We saw her pass by our house ten times a day,” confides Nicole Chatellier, whose house neighbors the hotel. She took three steps down Rue de l’Islet in a pink tutu, went back to her room, and came back down a quarter of an hour later, covered in a large dark cape. » Sometimes very perky and affable with the local residents, sometimes acerbic and sullen.
A cure for loneliness
The cigarette never leaves her. On the terrace of the bar where she daydreams. In her room where she writes. And even at Petit Bouchot, its daily canteen located two gardens away. Very few walks. A small court, friends and admirers, always at his side. “She had a phobia of being alone,” reveals Jacques.
Maryse recounts this anecdote: “One day, Brigitte said to me: ‘I’m going to be alone for three days, I can’t!” It was to the point of canceling the rest of the stay to return immediately to Paris. » The manager then suggested that he come and sleep at her place in Erquy. Relieved, Brigitte accepts. “The first morning, she said to me: ‘Maryse, I’m here at your house, you’re not going to continue to bother me!’ It was from that moment that we really got closer. » From then on, the two women had a mutual attachment and nicknamed each other Mamoune and Bribri respectively.
“Beneath her provocative appearance, Brigitte is an endearing, interesting, funny woman. »
The walls of the hotel have seen some great moments. An unparalleled celebration of nineteen years of marriage to Areski, his other half in life and on stage. The zero ball decided on a whim and made possible thanks to Jacques’ razor. A cup presentation to the winners of the boules competition by a facetious woman dressed as a Breton. The string of faxes received to choose the cover for the album “Les Palaces” (1997) at a time when the Internet and smartphones were in their infancy.
Deep mutual respect
“If I had to describe it? Beneath her provocative appearance, Brigitte is an endearing, interesting, funny woman, reveals Maryse. She often left her stay saying to me: ”What a laugh we had.” I continue to call her every year for her birthday. »
The tender affection seems mutual. In her book “Art Gallery in Kékéland”, published in 2002, the Morlaisian poet directly dedicated one of the chapters to her friend Maryse. “Her hair is almost red, which goes very well with her orange dress and sandals, and her tacky jewelry which suits her very well. […] His kisses are comforting and warming, which is appreciated because it is not often hot near Cap Fréhel. » From the hidden Brigitte.
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