Charles Aznavour had found his Provencal paradise in Mouriès, a village in the Alpilles. For thirty years, he came to relax between two concerts in the middle of his olive trees. It was there, at his home, that he died in the night from Sunday to Monday. Inhabitants, neighbors and fans alike pay homage to this "giant" of French song. And many hope that he will be buried in his adopted commune.
"More than 70 years of career, 1,200 songs, indefatigable ambassador of French song and culture ... We all have a good reason to find it great! " In cafes Mouriès Tuesday morning, we speak only of him: the" great Charles ", who worshiped this town of 3,600 inhabitants nestled in the Alpilles. On the tables and at the counter, newspapers are exchanged with all the Unes are dedicated to the artist, we remember the meetings, his medal of the City received in August 2017.
Charles Aznavour settled there thirty years ago, buying a property away from the village, among the olive trees. He came regularly to rest between two concerts. He was "discreet", repeat the inhabitants. But everyone has a memory, a good word, even a photo with him. "Of course we saw him, it was his house here," says Franck. But everyone respected his tranquility. And when we spoke to him, did not mention his career, he preferred to talk about the daily. "
"He will stay in our hearts"
Behind him, two women humming "La Bohème" by following the excerpt of the title broadcast on the television. In Mouriès, his disappearance "will leave a great void," said Bertrand, impressed by the international tribute to the artist. "Unfortunately, we knew it would happen, he was still 94 years old. But it will remain in our hearts, because Aznavour is a monument! And he did it all alone, despite all the resistance encountered early in his career. It's still impressive. "
Many would like Charles Aznavour to be buried "in the village rather than in Paris". He "loved this corner", which he described as "his paradise of Provence", says Anne, 56 years old, admirer of always. He felt "at peace in this environment," said Mayor Alice Roggiero. She saw him regularly: "He was chatting, we had very cordial relations. A man "simple, but with a class and obvious presence," she recalls. His death shocked everyone. "
"I love you and I will miss you"
At the tourist office of the first olive village in France, the phone has not stopped ringing since the announcement of the disappearance of the singer. "People want to know where to send flowers, where to find the olive oil produced on their property, if a special tribute will be made here ..." The mayor did not make a decision until he could talk about it the family of the artist, whose body was autopsied in Nîmes this Tuesday morning.
In front of his home along a small departmental road, Mouriés, neighbors and fans follow one another since yesterday to pay homage to him. At the foot of the heavy black grills at the entrance, flowers, messages. "I love you and I will miss you. I love La Bohème and Dying of Love, " says one of them. Others have deposited Armenian flags, the country of origin of his family.
Marcelle, Éliane, Marie-France and Tonio are taking a few minutes to recover. Originally from Saint-Etienne, staying in a neighboring village, they wanted to come: "Charles Aznavour, it's our youth. We found ourselves in his songs and we admired the man, for his work, curious about everything, who never gave up ".
Aznavour and its olive groves
His work force is often hailed. Even in Mouriès, where he came to relax, he had an office and spent a lot of time writing. He also liked to take care of his olive trees, planted on a few hectares, of which he confided the harvest each year to the mill Cornille, in the neighboring village of Maussane-les-Alpilles, to make an oil, "the reserve Charles Aznavour".
"It was an enthusiast, says Sophie Denis, the director of the mill. He had started a decade ago. His cuvée, protected designation of origin "Vallée des Baux de Provence", was tasted at the union. Its production was partly marketed. "He also offered bottles to his friends and to great chefs. " To celebrate the new oil, he organized every year a party," an olivade "at home, where we could find his friends: Michel Drucker, Jean Reno, Chico Gipsy Kings ...
"He did wonderful things"
At Bistrot du Paradou, not far from Moulin Cornille, Vincent Quenin will also remember the happy moments that the artist spent in his restaurant with his friends. "He had been coming for years, explains the owner since 2010. It's my former boss, Jean-Louis Pons, who knew Charles Aznavour in the early 90s. He came very often, had his table in a corner of the room. "
For him, "it's one of the biggest stars. Authors, composers and performers, there are not many. He did wonderful things. I am very happy to have known him, and sad today for his passing. But he will remain a giant. "