Paris was with Charles Aznavour from the very beginning. It was in its streets that he grew up, heard the voices of the artists of the day, and then forged his own identity as a poet-singer. Traces of his private and public life still dot the Parisian landscape today, in commemorative plaques, gardens and street names.
Walk in Charles Aznavour's footsteps through the capital, visiting the neighborhoods where he grew up, the tributes paid to him and the legendary venues where he sang, to rediscover the intimate link between the artist and the City of Light.
French-Armenian singer-songwriter and actor Charles Aznavour was born in Paris in 1924. Born into a family of Armenian exiles, he made his debut in Parisian cabarets and was noticed by Édith Piaf , who took him on tour. Small, stooped, with a hoarse voice, he broke the codes of the charm singer by imposing a deeply expressive style.
His songs, such as "La Bohème", "Hier encore" and "Emmenez-moi", tell of love, the passage of time and exile, with aptness and melancholy. He also wrote for other big names, from Juliette Gréco to Johnny Hallyday. An international artist, he sings in several languages and performs on the world's greatest stages. An actor in his spare time, he has also worked with Truffaut and Chabrol.
Tarnier Hospital (6ᵉ arr.). Charles Aznavour was born in this clinic at 89 rue d'Assas, on May 22, 1924. His family then lived in an apartment at 36 rue Monsieur-le-Prince, in theOdéon district. It was here in the Latin Quarter, frequented by students, musicians and street performers, that he first heard the voices of the city.
22 rue Navarin (9ᵉ arr.). During the Second World War, the Aznavour family lived in precarious conditions and played a discreet protective role, sheltering Jews and Armenians in this apartment. In 2024, to mark Charles Aznavour's 100th birthday, a commemorative plaque was unveiled at this address in tribute to the family's actions during those dark hours.
Charles Aznavour Garden (8ᵉ arr.). For the centenary of his birth, the City of Paris also decided to name a garden after the artist near the Champs-Élysées, on the site of the Carré Ledoyen. The garden, with its redesigned paths and renovated landscaping, surrounds the Jardin d'Érevan, the Esplanade d'Arménie and the statue of Komitas, reinforcing the link between Paris, Aznavour and Armenia.
Charles Aznavour bust (6ᵉ arr.). Installed at the Odéon crossroads, the discreet but symbolic bust was inaugurated in tribute to the artist, as was a commemorative plaque at 36 rue Monsieur-le-Prince where he lived during his childhood.
Le belvédère de la Bohème (18ᵉ arr.). The City of Paris also inaugurated this 'belvédère de la Bohème' at the intersection of rue Saint-Vincent and rue de la Bonne, on the heights of Montmartre. With its panoramic view of the hilltop, the belvedere is a must-see for lovers of the artist's poetic texts.
Things to do in the Montmartre neighborhood: Ideas for outings and great places to visit
Are you going to Montmartre and looking for a great place to visit? Here are some places in the 18th arrondissement that are sure to delight you! [Read more]
Location
Montmartre
Montmartre
75018 Paris 18
Things to do in the Montmartre neighborhood: Ideas for outings and great places to visit
