when the singer Charles Dumont said “love Les Andelys”

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The singer-songwriter Charles Dumont died on the night of November 17 to 18, 2024at the age of 95. A musical figure who will have left his mark and above all many works that have become famous, including “Non je ne regrette rien”, sung by Edith Piaf.

Before his concert on September 21, 1991 at Andelys (Eure), which brought together 130 people in the village hall, he welcomed l’Impartial at his Norman home.

An eternal admirer of women, Charles Dumont never tired of singing about… love for her.

Through his titles for Édith Piaf, Juliette Gréco, Gloria Lasso, Dalida and Luis Mariano for which he had composed, he provided proof of this.

It was in 1960 that he met La Môme. Together, they composed “No, I regret nothing”. This will be the beginning of a bond, of more than thirty titles including a duet “Les Amants”.

His meeting with Piaf had started badly

However, it all started badly. When he had just presented his famous song at the singer’s home, he was turned away and then called back in the middle of the night.

The title, which became a huge success, allowed him to buy a residence in Tourgeville, not far from Deauville, where he hosted l’Impartial in 1991. Charles Dumont showed us his garden overlooking the sea with a view of Le Havre.

“My wife lives there all year round, and I come there as soon as possible. Here I turn into a handyman. I restored the ceiling, tapestry and even some furniture. I have a deep admiration for all manual professions. »

He loved Les Andelys

Evoking Normandy, and more precisely Les Andelys, the artist told us:

“I love this city. Château-Gaillard and its landscapes are magnificent places and sources of inspiration. There are also nice restaurants in Andelys, where I can also indulge in the sin of gluttony. »

Asked about the systematization of seeing his name associated with that of Piaf, he explained: “Edith Piaf still remains a star today. Even if it sometimes annoyed me, having been able to work with this great lady is a reference that is pleasant to remember. »

He had fun with his character as an eternal seducer: “What is certain is that I no longer have any illusions about that. I am conscious of my age and have many ice creams at home. »

“Love is the most important thing”

To the question of whether singing about love eternally isn’t too boring? He replied:

“Love is the most important thing for human beings. These stories are never the same, hence the multiple possibility of evoking them in songs. »

So did Charles Dumont regret anything? “We all have the opportunity to regret something. What is important is to know whether the life we ​​have lived is positive or negative. When it’s positive, there is nothing to regret. »

And to continue: “If personally, I have given happiness to unknown people and to those I love, as Edith sang with her soul, her heart and her immense talent, I don’t regret anything either! »

Patrick-Serge Lefebvre

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