Art & History - People and Places

An auspicious territory for vocations... a privileged setting to inspire the artists.

ILLUSTRIOUS CHARACTERS 

Many famous people were involved in the history of the Pays de Pézenas. Many kings and princes have been its benefactors.
In this small area were born Venel who invented Seltzer, Paul Vidal de la Blache who initiated human geography, organ makers Dom Bedos de Celles and Jean-François Lépine, François Hüe who was ornithologist and founded the Society for the protection of nature...
Not to forget Boby Lapointe, actor, full of fantasy, whose songs are still very topical.

MOLIERE IN THE PAYS DE PEZENAS

In 1645, Molière left Paris to begin travelling the provinces with his troupe "l'Illustre Théâtre".
In 1650, the troupe arrived in Pézenas. During three months, it entertained the Estates' representatives. The troupe was again in Pézenas in 1653 and performed at the Grange des Prés, residence of Prince of Conti. The troupe stayed one more time in Pézenas in 1656. Back in Paris, Molière became King's Louis XIV comedian; the southern people forgot him.
However, a precious relic was still in Pézenas: Barber Gély's wooden armchair, on which Molière liked to sit. But the interest for the comedian and playwright was aroused by the discovery in 1885 of a receipt signed by Molière. Thus a real movement called Molierism was born in France whose climax was the building in Pézenas in 1897 of a building dedicated to Molière.
Since then, Pézenas' inhabitants never forgot Molière any more. Meet on website www.toutmoliere.net

PEZENAS THEATRE 

Set in the chapel of the Black Penitents built at the end of the 16th century, the building was converted into a theatre in 1803. This place was the seat of cultural life in Pézenas until it closed in 1947. The theatre had its heydays when "la Comédie Française" performed in the building. It is now undergoing restoration.

BOBY LAPOINTE

Boby Lapointe was born in Pézenas on 16 April 1922. 
He went up to Paris in 1951. In 1954, Bourvil sang "Aragon and Castille" in the film "Poisson d'avril" (April fool). This encouraged Boby to carry on writing. His début was at the Cheval d'Or in 1959.
Boby Lapointe made "silly" songs intelligent. A trivial topic is the foundation for an edifice of puns and other word games to make you roll in the aisles. 
Let's quote a few of his songs amongst the imperishable gems he wrote: "La maman des poissons", "La peinture à l'huile", "Ta Katie t'a quitté", "Le tube de toilette".
He was also an actor and a mathematician. 
Boby died at the beginning of summer 1972 leaving his work to remember him by and his songs travelling around the world. Every April, his birthplace holds a festival in his honour called the Printival. In 2004, around ten sculptures were unveiled that make an itinerary in the town. All the sculptures are inspired by his songs.  A museum dedicated to Boby opened in 2006.
To know everything about him, the official website is: www.bobylapointe.com