In 1955, Édith Piaf was the first to sing one of her lyrics: “C'est à Hambourg”, written with Catherine Sauvage. She was twenty-two, and “Les Amants d'un jour” and “Comme moi” would follow. Her stone bears only two years of death, her own and that of her partner Claude Delecluse.
The story
In 1955 Édith Piaf sang for the first time a text by Michelle Senlis: “C'est à Hambourg”, written with Catherine Sauvage. The lyricist, born Fricault at Montgeron on 20 July 1933, had just turned twenty-two.
She then wrote for Piaf “Les Amants d'un jour” (1956) and “Comme moi”, to music by Marguerite Monnot, and for twenty years supplied words to the great voices of French song.
She died in 2020, nine years after her companion Claude Delécluse. The stone in Division 89 carries only the years of death: “Claude DELECLUSE, 2011. Michelle SENLIS, 2020.” Two women, two years — no birth, no song, and no mention of Piaf.
The grave
An inscription of radical sobriety, which bears neither date of birth nor trade: “Claude DELECLUSE, 2011. Michelle SENLIS, 2020.” Only the years of death, for two women who shared their lives — Claude Delecluse having gone before her partner by nine years. Nothing of Piaf, nothing of “Les Amants d'un jour”. The grave is in Division 89, Transverse Avenue no. 3, seventeenth row.
On site, do not miss
An inscription of radical sobriety: “Claude DELECLUSE, 2011. Michelle SENLIS, 2020.” Two years of death only — no birth, no trade, no song title.
Visitors' questions
Where is Michelle Senlis's grave?
In Division 89, Avenue Transversale No. 3, seventeenth row, with her partner Claude Delecluse. The inscription is severely plain: two names and two years of death, with no year of birth and no trade named.
Alice Ozy, Division 89What did she write for Piaf?
Three songs: “C'est à Hambourg”, written with Catherine Sauvage and first sung by Piaf, in 1955; then “Les Amants d'un jour” (1956) and “Comme moi”. She was twenty-two when she started out.
Édith PiafWho lies with her?
Her partner Claude Delecluse, who died in 2011 — nine years before her. The stone carries their two names followed by their years of death alone: “Claude DELECLUSE, 2011. Michelle SENLIS, 2020.” — and nothing else.
Jacques PlanteHow do you find her grave on the spot?
Take Avenue Transversale No. 3 and count to the seventeenth row, in Division 89, high up in the cemetery. Look for a plain stone carrying two women's names and two bare years, with no epitaph.
Jean Nohain, Division 89Audio guide to Père Lachaise: the best unusual guided tour!
Discover the secrets of the most astonishing tombs
the audio guidefrom€6.99