The birthplace of Charles Trenet — Attraction in Narbonne

Magnificent place where one is transported into the universe and the songs of Charles Trenet, such as "Narbonne", "fidèle" etc ... it is the place where the artist was born on May 18, 1913. Much more than that, it is also the place where an exceptional artistic vocation and a unique talent were awakened. This old shack was for Charles Trenet the source of all inspirations. Childhood and memories in this sweet provincial France, near the Sea, rocked by the Tramontane, are still present, here in charming and good Narbonne, his lifelong friend, his city to which he remained faithful.

Charles Trenet left his mark on French song with his poetic songs. Nicknamed the "Singing Madman," he wrote nearly a thousand songs over several decades, including timeless hits like "Douce France" and "La Mer," which were covered worldwide. Despite his life as an artist, the singer always showed his love for Narbonne, through his songs (Narbonne mon amie) but also by selling his birthplace to the municipality, which is now a museum. The house is hidden at the end of the eponymous avenue, a few hundred meters from the fresco paying tribute to him on the Quai d'Alsace. Upon entering the house, after seeing his smiling statue, we are immediately immersed in the world of Trenet. A sweet scent of old wood emanates from the air, with some of his melodies accompanying us throughout the visit through video documents. The ground floor allows us to trace Charles's family origins, but also the birth of his taste for music, with the family living room adorned with instruments. It also contains sketches for the fresco dedicated to him, as well as documents exchanged with the mayor at the time, Hubert Mouly, during the sale of the house.

In the staircase leading to the first floor, "small-format" sheets of the most famous songs from "Le Fou chantant" (The Singing Madman) hang on the wall. This first floor was the area reserved for his mother, Marie-Louise. Here again, we can observe elements that inspired some of his songs: the window from which he watched the trains pass by, or the study, where Charles recounted his two years at boarding school, which had a profound impact on him. It was here that he uttered his first cry, in his mother's room, a "D minor," according to legend. Right next door is the sauna he had installed after Marie-Louise's death. He spent 20 minutes there every morning, a habit that was the source of his longevity.

Finally, the second floor is dedicated to Charles's career. It showcases the decorations he received, the international success of his hits, and the personalities he encountered throughout his life: Maurice Chevalier, Jean Cocteau, and Charles Aznavour, who nicknamed Trenet "the King." You can end your visit by singing along to one of his hits, thanks to the "Trenet Karaoke" located in his room. Charles Trenet used to end his concerts with "Y'a d'la joie"...

"Sur les pas de Charles Trenet" in Narbonne offers a unique experience following the footsteps of the famous French chansonnier, Charles Trenet. Born in Narbonne, Trenet is celebrated for composing around a thousand songs, including the iconic "La Mer." The city of Narbonne proudly honors his legacy by preserving the house of his birth, located conveniently along the railway line to Perpignan. Exploring this tribute to Trenet's life and work is a must-visit for fans of French music...

Ma mère, ma sœur et moi sommes venues expressément de Barcelone. La visite de la maison de Charles Trenet a été une expérience que nous n'oublierons jamais. Après avoir sonné à la porte, on nous a ouvert et nous avons été accueillis par une femme merveilleuse, très amicale et sensible, dont on pouvait voir qu'elle aimait la vie et la musique de Charles Trenet. Chaque chambre que nous avons visitée nous a fait remonter dans le temps, toutes étant méticuleusement arrangées, avec quelques mots de Charles Trenet nous accompagnant tout au long de la visite. Après avoir descendu ces majestueux escaliers, nous sommes revenus dans le hall, et c'est alors que je n'oublierai jamais les mots de la charmante réceptionniste qui nous a dit au revoir avec un grand sourire : « et vous partez avec de la joie...