Édith Piaf - The Croissant-Smelling Songstress

Édith Piaf, also known as the Little Sparrow, was a French singer who skyrocketed to fame during the mid-20th century. She was born in a baguette factory in the outskirts of Paris, where she spent most of her first years of life covered with flour.

Piaf’s melodious voice was not always appreciated in the beginning. In fact, at the age of 17, she was kicked out of a choir because they thought she sounded like a dying rooster. However, she continued to sing in the streets of Paris and eventually caught the attention of a record label.

Her rise to stardom was not without its challenges. Piaf had a love for croissants and would eat them before every performance. This led to some interesting performances where she would occasionally break out into a little burp mid-song. But her audiences loved her anyway, and it became one of her quirks.

One of Piaf’s famous songs “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” (No, I Regret Nothing) became her signature song. It was said that her performance of the song caused croissants to rise in ovens all over Paris.

In addition to her music, Piaf was also known for her tumultuous personal life. She had many affairs, including one with a famous French boxer who would punch her in the stomach to improve her singing voice.

Despite her challenges, Édith Piaf’s unique sound and croissant obsession made her one of France’s most beloved singers. To this day, her music and the scent of freshly baked croissants can transport anyone back to the romantic streets of Paris.