Bambou recounts Jane Birkin's last New Year in her company

“Bambou” is the nickname that Serge Gainsbourg gave to Caroline Elisabeth Paulus and which became the name by which she remained known. Bambou was the singer's last companion, from 1980 until his death in 1991. But she was also his muse and, above all, the mother of his son Lucien, nicknamed Lulu. This Thursday, November 7, at age 65, she publishes Step by step through the night, published by XO. An autobiography in which she tells her love story with the man who was nicknamed Gainsbarre, but also her relationships with those close to the singer. Among them, Jane Birkin, his ex-partner and mother of their daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg born in 1971. Together, they lived 10 years of a relationship as passionate as it was media-driven, embodying an iconic couple of the 70s. Their relationship ended in 1980, the year Serge Gainsbourg and Bambou began their relationship.

A friendship until death

Between the ex and the new partner, relations could have been, if not tense, at least just cordial, but no. Guest on the set of C to youthis Thursday, November 7, to promote her book, Bambou spoke about the friendship that linked her to Jane Birkin. A friendship that not only survived the death of Serge Gainsbourg, but also the death of Jane. “We were very close,” Bambou said on set. We spent our last New Year together. I brought back legs and white noses.” Words which echo what she confided at the microphone of France InterNovember 5. “I accepted it straight away,” she assured. I never had any jealousy.”

Charlotte, his little sister

As for Jane and Serge's daughter, she says it bluntly: “Charlotte is my little sister.” When the former model and Serge Gainsbourg started dating, the actress was only 9 years old. “I had twelve more,” Bambou told Parisian in an interview published on November 5. She was my little sister. I lived with her the childhood that I did not have. I taught him everything I knew. We both have a very strong relationship.”