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Juliette Armanet is a bit like the voice that carries you away without warning. Born on March 4, 1984, in Lille, she is 41 years old today, 1.68m tall. Here is a woman who seems to have stepped straight out of a French chanson novel, but with that little modern twist that makes all the difference.
Before finding herself in the spotlight, Juliette lived in Villeneuve d’Ascq in a bookshop family passionate about music. Her father, a jazz musician, didn’t just pass on his piano skills; he influenced her love of the great classics. But you know what? She gave up classical music at 11, not easy being a teenager!
She first preferred words, driven by her passion for literature and theater before diving into documentary filmmaking. A rather unusual path for a singer, a change from the usual Hollywood stories. And yet, behind this artist, there is a true journalist, a hardworking woman who has succeeded in every field she ventured into.
Then finally, she chose the stage. And there… poof! A masterstroke with “La Petite amie” in 2017. A spectacular success, just like that, overnight, for this woman at the piano, with that modest look but a voice full of emotion. We’ll tell you all about it, you’ll see, it’s fascinating.
Who is Juliette Armanet and her roots in French chanson
Juliette Armanet is more than a name, it’s a universe blending vintage and modernity. She proudly carries her Lille roots and that family musical culture. A daughter of booksellers who quickly grew up listening endlessly to Barbara and Bashung, how could it end otherwise?
Her public identity? A discreet elegance, often in black, sometimes reminiscent of Barbara with that depth in her gaze, but also Françoise Hardy. She has that little sweet touch in her singing, that sophisticated pop side that seduces you at first breath. At 41, she belongs to that new generation renewing French chanson without betraying its values.
Behind this slender silhouette, you’ll find a sensitive, generous woman who loves to play with words as much as with notes. She is also a fighter, a perfectionist not the type to be distracted, despite the huge pressure of carrying the heavy legacy of her illustrious predecessors.
She is also a secret lover of theater, which makes more sense when you discover she frequents the stage and cinema, even trying her hand at some roles like in Partir un jour.
The atypical beginnings before worldwide fame
Would you have bet that Juliette Armanet started her career at 15 on stage? No, first she studied literature and theater in Paris, then she went into documentary filmmaking, another form of storytelling, less sung, more visual.
A decade in journalism, notably for Arte with documentaries such as “Éloge de la jupe,” is not common. A life of a curious and committed passionate woman, who continues to express herself differently. It is under this dual hat that music returned naturally, without forcing, in 2014.
I admit, it’s this mix of culture and eclecticism that makes her music so captivating. She composed her first songs at 14, sang jazz with her father, but it was really later that she decided to fully devote herself to chanson. And then, she didn’t waste any time!
Her first real public step was a contest in 2014 with Les Inrocks that propelled her to the forefront. Imagine the scene: her, in pajamas at the bottom of her bed, struggling to finish a song, then her brother arriving to help wrap it all up. A very human anecdote, isn’t it?
The musical turning point and phenomenal success with “La Petite amie”
So, in 2017, the bomb exploded. Her first album, “La Petite amie”, was a huge critical and public success. Imagine: music mixing classical piano, light electro, a velvety voice, and lyrics about love and nostalgia – it hits the mark immediately.
Juliette Armanet immediately crafted a strong image, that of the good girl – but beware, she is a sentimental boxer! This bittersweet contrast seduces beyond the usual French variety crowd, and her audience quickly rushes to see her in concert. La Cigale, Olympia, legendary venues, she fills them all every time.
Critics talk about her as a successor to Sanson, Hardy, Berger. Not bad for a comparison, right? What amazed me is that she handles this pressure without ever losing her freshness or authenticity.
She also collaborates with big names: Julien Doré, or Saycet. Showing that she loves both the stage and studio creation. A meteoric rise but a steady will.
Some key hits that marked her audience 🎶
- 🌟 “L’amour en solitaire” – The hit that launched her with a bang
- 🌟 “Cavalier seule” – The title track of her already noticed EP
- 🌟 “Corail” – A must-hear collaboration with Julien Doré
- 🌟 “Fuguer” – A romantic and intimate ballad
- 🌟 “Le Dernier jour du disco” – Almost an anthem, heralding her second album
Juliette Armanet’s private life and personal challenges
Privately, Juliette is known to be rather discreet. We know she is very much in love with a man from the theater world, a passion that seems to feed her creativity. This intimate side is felt in her lyrics, always very sensitive, wrapped in a melancholic sweetness.
She is also very attached to her family and has often talked about her grandmother, especially in Biot, an important place for her, mentioned in interviews that I invite you to discover.
Well, like everyone, she has her detractors, some tensions – I think of the famous clash with Michel Sardou around “Les Lacs du Connemara,” which stirred social media a bit. But Juliette handled it with humor and above all a lot of class.
This woman does not get intimidated. She constantly explores, especially as a mother and a woman in her fifties, while staying fresh and innovative. A true steady force on the French musical landscape.
Recent projects, news and collaborations to watch in 2025
Since the release of “Brûler le feu” in 2021, Juliette has been releasing new material. In 2022, she even released a reissue called “Brûler le feu 2”, full of surprises for her fans with previously unreleased tracks and a more disco vibe. A clear sign that she never rests.
She was nominated at the NRJ Music Awards for her Francophone tour and Francophone artist of the year, a well-deserved recognition after these years. Not bad, right?
And then, she continues to get involved in cinema and television, as you can see in this film where she plays a head chef…
For those who want to follow all her news, here is her official YouTube channel. And honestly, it’s a breath of fresh air. Juliette Armanet is a musical journey but also a human story full of surprises.
