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In the footsteps of Coluche in Paris

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Discover the filming locations of Coluche's best roles in Paris, from The Wing or The Thigh? to Banzaï and Inspector Blunder.

Coluche, his filming locations in Paris

A legendary comedian and humorist, Coluche was also a candidate in the 1981 presidential elections, from which he withdrew under pressure and threats. Founder of the famous Restos du cœur in 1985, his passion for two wheels will unfortunately prevail in 1986. Behind him, the actor leaves behind many mythical roles and places to discover to follow in his footsteps.

Duchemin Guide premises – The Wing or The Thigh?

Duchemin Guide premises – The Wing or The Thigh?

The premises of the famous Duchemin guide rewarding the best restaurants are located at 5 place d’Iéna in the 16th arrondissement. Charles Duchemin (Louis de Funès) tried many times, within these walls, to convince his son Gérard (Coluche) to take over the management of the publishing house. The two main actors took advantage of the shooting of the film to play some friends. While Louis de Funès brings in his friend and regular screen wife Claude Gensac, Coluche brings in promising young actors such as Gérard Lanvin, Martin Lamotte, Marie-Anne Chazel and Bruno Moynot.

Address: 5 place d’Iéna, 75016 Paris, France

Planet Assistance – Banzai

Michel Bernardin (Coluche) works at Planète Assistance, an international assistance company. The offices of this company are located at 46 avenue des Ternes in Paris. In addition to the French capital, Banzaï also allows you to discover many other corners of the world such as Hong Kong or New York. In the latter, Michel is accosted by thugs from the Bronx. One of them is James McDaniel, best known for his appearances in Malcolm X, New York Police Blues and Stargate SG-1. Banzai was his very first film role.

Address: 46 avenue des Ternes, 75017 Paris, France

Lambert’s apartment – So Long, Stooge

Lambert's apartment - So Long, Stooge
Lambert’s apartment – So Long, Stooge

Lambert (Coluche), a solitary alcoholic gas station attendant, lives in this apartment. He’ll be murdered on the landing of the building. Adapted from Alain Page’s novel, the film triumphed at the 1984 César Awards, winning five trophies, including Best Actor for Coluche. But the man whom France knew above all as a comedian was very dissatisfied with his performance, judging that he had done nothing. He himself was depressed at the time of the shooting, living through his divorce and the suicide of his friend Patrick Dewaere. The scenes filmed seemed natural to him. Sensing that his lead actor could be rewarded, Claude Berri insisted that the film be released before the end of the year, even though the shooting took place in June 1983. It totalled 3.8 million entries.

Address: 35 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France

Louis Dupin’s apartment – La Vengeance du serpent à plumes

Heir to a Parisian apartment, the butt-puller of an alpine resort, Loulou Dupin (Coluche), takes possession of his property. Problem, the dwelling is occupied by two young women, the mistress of an international terrorist and his accomplice. The street is called “chaussée” because of the fill brought to cover this ground, originally marshy. In addition to France, Mexico is featured in the film, including Chichen Itza, ancient Mayan ruins considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, located in the province of Yucatan.

Address : 53 rue de la Chaussée d’Antin, 75009 Paris

Fouquet’s – Inspector Blunder

Fouquet's - Photo credit: Fantrippers
Fouquet’s – Photo credit: Fantrippers

Michel Clément (Coluche), who had just passed his police entrance exam, rushed to Fouquet’s to tell his mother the good news. The establishment is a favourite haunt of another famous law enforcement officer, Maigret. When he arrived in Paris, Le Fouquet’s was the first restaurant that Georges Simenon observed. Later, when his income allowed it, he became a regular visitor. It is one of the good Parisian tables regularly cited by the writer in his novels. In 1988, a plaque was installed in several of these establishments. It said, “Tribute to Georges Simenon. This place is that of the chief curator Jules Maigret, the gourmet guest of honor of this house”.

Address: 99 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France

Other places in Coluche’s footsteps

Apart from films, Coluche has always been linked to Paris. Born in the 14th arrondissement, he regularly hangs out with his friends in the capital or in Montrouge. After several odd jobs, Michel Colucci found his way as a comedian.

Le Vieux Bistrot

Le Vieux Bistrot - Photo credit website levieuxbistrot-paris.fr
Le Vieux Bistrot – Photo credit website levieuxbistrot-paris.fr

After selling flowers with his mother, Coluche is hired at the Vieux Bistrot where he learns to be a comedian. With a simple, country decor, the establishment offers quality traditional cuisine without any frills.

Address: 54 rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris, France

Home of Coluche

Home of Coluche - Photo Wikimedia Commons by Christian D'AUFIN
Home of Coluche – Photo Wikimedia Commons by Christian D’AUFIN

In the mid-1970s, Coluche moved to this Parisian house with his wife Véronique and his son Romain. A convivial place to celebrate, it was within these walls that the comedian worked on his 1981 presidential campaign.

Address: 11 rue Gazan, 75014 Paris, France

Montrouge Cemetery

Montrouge Cemetery - Photo Wikimedia Commons by Mu
Montrouge Cemetery – Photo Wikimedia Commons by Mu

Coluche’s final resting place, the cemetery of Montrouge. It is here that in 1986, after a ceremony officiated by Abbé Pierre, the comedian is buried. Regularly visited, Coluche’s tomb is still in bloom, even more than 30 years after his death.

Address: 18 avenue de la Porte de Montrouge, 75014 Paris, France

Staircase Veronique and Marius Colucci

Numerous street artists have paid tribute to the comedian throughout the capital. One of the most imposing works is the Veronique and Marius Colucci staircase. Produced by Zag & Sia, the two painters first represented Coluche in 2016 before joining his wife, Véronique, when he died in 2018.

Address: 6 Rue Lemaignan, 75014 Paris, France

The Fantrippers Buying Board

The Paris guide to the 1000 cult places of films, series, music, comics and novels

The Paris guide to the 1000 cult places of films, series, music, comics and novels

The coolest guide in Paris!

The café of Amélie, the mansion of Untouchables, the jazz club of the finale of La La Land, the Hôtel du Nord of the mythical replica of Arletty “Atmosphere”, the cinema of A bout de souffle, the restaurant of Ratatouille, the quays of the Seine of Midnight in Paris, the secret places of the Da Vinci Code, the grocery store of January in La Traversée de Paris , the Bridge of Inception and Peur sur la ville, the addresses of the spectacular scenes of Mission Impossible 6, but also series Call my agent, Gears, Le Bureau des légendes, Sense8, Sex and The City, Gossip Girl…

Etienne Daho’s Café de Flore, Jay-Z and Kanye West’s hotel in Nas in Paris, Serge Gainsbourg’s Poinçonneur des Lilas metro station, Serge Reggiani and Marc Lavoine’s Mirabeau Bridge, Mc Solaar’s Lyon station…

The places evoked in the comics Adèle Blanc-Sec, Largo Winch, Blake and Mortimer, Michel Vaillant…

But also in the novels of Ernest Hemingway, Victor Hugo, Leo Malet, Daniel Pennac, Marc Levy, Guillaume Musso… you’ll find all the must-see places of Parisian Pop Culture in this new guide.

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By Damien Duarte

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Passionné par la culture pop depuis son enfance, ses références vont de Donald Duck à Batman en passant par Marty McFly. Fantripper dans l'âme, voyager sur les traces de Ghostbusters, James Bond ou des héros de romans comme Cotton Malone fait partie d'un séjour idéal et réussi !

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