40 Fascinating Black and White Photographs of Françoise Hardy in London During the 1960s

French singer who made her big breakthrough in 1963, Françoise Hardy is one of the French icons of the musical wave known as the ye-yes. With her melancholic melodies and look, she embodied the new romantic girl, sweet and mysterious, both middle-class and rock that the 60s cherished.

Married to another French iconic singer, handsome Jacques Dutronc, they appeared as one of the most glamorous couples of the French stage before splitting in the 90s. With her long hair and slender figure, her Courrèges outfits or glittering Paco Rabanne dresses, she influenced many other icons such as Jane Birkin, Charlotte Gainsbourg or Carla Bruni.
Aging, she chose an androgynous look, sticking to short white hair and pants. It's after the title of her big first hit, Tous les garçons et les filles de moon age, that Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo named her brand Comme des garçons. French fashion designer Nicolas Ghesquières praises her as one of his main inspirations.

Hardy remains a popular figure in music and fashion, and is considered an icon of French pop and the 1960s.

Françoise Hardy walks in the streets of London on the eve of her performance at the Eurovision Festival in March 1963.

Françoise Hardy walks in the streets of London on the eve of her performance at the Eurovision Festival in March 1963.

Françoise Hardy walks in the streets of London on the eve of her performance at the Eurovision Festival in March 1963.

Françoise Hardy walks in the streets of London on the eve of her performance at the Eurovision Festival in March 1963.

Françoise Hardy. will be performing her song Love Goes Away at this years Eurovision Song Contest, representing Monaco. The 1963 contest is being staged at BBC TV Centre, London, pictured 22nd March 1963. Photo by Eric Harlow.

Françoise Hardy, aged 19 years old, in the UK to promote four new records, her first in English, London, Thursday 9th January 1964. Photo by Blandford.

Françoise Hardy, aged 19 years old, in the UK to promote four new records, her first in English,London, Thursday 9th January 1964. Photo by Blandford.

Françoise Hardy, in Mayfair, London, 11th March 1965. Françoise Hardy is in the UK for a recording session and to make a guest appearance on Ready Steady Go. Photo by Doreen Spooner.

Françoise Hardy in Mayfair, London, 11th March 1965. Françoise Hardy is in the UK for a recording session and to make a guest appearance on Ready Steady Go. Photos by Doreen Spooner.

Françoise Hardy, at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, Mayfair, London, 11th March 1965. Françoise Hardy is in the UK for a recording session and to make a guest appearance on Ready Steady Go. Photo by Doreen Spooner.

Françoise Hardy in Mayfair, London, 11th March 1965. Photos by Doreen Spooner.

Françoise Hardy in Mayfair, London, 11th March 1965. Photos by Doreen Spooner.

Françoise Hardy, in Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester, 13th May 1965. Françoise Hardy is taking a break from rehearsals at BBC Studios, Dickenson Road, Rusholme, where she will be appearing on Top of the Pops this evening. Photo by Ernest Chapman (Daily Mirror).

Françoise Hardy, in Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester, 13th May 1965. Françoise Hardy is taking a break from rehearsals at BBC Studios, Dickenson Road, Rusholme, where she will be appearing on Top of the Pops this evening. Photo by Ernest Chapman (Daily Mirror).

Françoise Hardy, in Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester, 13th May 1965. Françoise Hardy is taking a break from rehearsals at BBC Studios, Dickenson Road, Rusholme, where she will be appearing on Top of the Pops this evening. Photo by Ernest Chapman (Daily Mirror).

Françoise Hardy at The Savoy Hotel in London, 7th June 1965. Francoise Hardy will be appearing in cabaret at the hotel for two weeks. Photo by Eddie Waters.

Françoise Hardy at The Savoy Hotel in London, 7th June 1965. Francoise Hardy will be appearing in cabaret at the hotel for two weeks. Photo by Eddie Waters.

Francoise Hardy, filming on Exhibition Road in London, 11th October 1965. Francoise Hardy is filming a one hour special, titled Françoise in London, due to be aired on french television at Christmas. She will sing seven songs on the programme, which is being directed by her fiance Jean-Marie Perier. Photo by Doreen Spooner.

Françoise Hardy at the London airport, November 1965.

Françoise Hardy, rehearsing her show for a three week residency at The Savoy Restaurant, London, 31st January 1966. Photo by Bela Zola.

Françoise Hardy, in her hotel room, London, 3rd November 1966. Françoise Hardy is in the UK for a recording session and to appear on BBC TV show Juke Box Jury.

Françoise Hardy walks down The Strand in London, 5th November 1966.

Françoise Hardy rehearsing at the Savoy hotel for her third performance there. London, UK, 20th February 1967. Photo by Roger Jackson.

Françoise Hardy at The Savoy Hotel, London, February 1967. Photo by Maurice Kaye.

Françoise Hardy visits Carnaby Street and British Gear, a boutique in London’s Carnaby Street, UK, February 1967. Photos by John Pratt.

Françoise Hardy visits Carnaby Street and British Gear, a boutique in London’s Carnaby Street, UK, February 1967. Photos by John Pratt.

Françoise Hardy visits Carnaby Street and British Gear, a boutique in London’s Carnaby Street, UK, February 1967. Photos by John Pratt.

Françoise Hardy visits Carnaby Street and British Gear, a boutique in London’s Carnaby Street, UK, February 1967. Photos by John Pratt.

Françoise Hardy visits Carnaby Street and British Gear, a boutique in London’s Carnaby Street, UK, February 1967. Photos by John Pratt.

Françoise Hardy visits Carnaby Street and British Gear, a boutique in London’s Carnaby Street, UK, February 1967. Photos by John Pratt.

Françoise Hardy at The London Palladium Show, March 1967.

Françoise Hardy relaxes in the spring sunshine, Hyde Park, London, Sunday 14th April 1968. Photos by Edward Dean.

Françoise Hardy relaxes in the spring sunshine, Hyde Park, London, Sunday 14th April 1968. Photos by Edward Dean.

Françoise Hardy relaxes in the spring sunshine, Hyde Park, London, Sunday 14th April 1968. Photos by Edward Dean.

Françoise Hardy relaxes in the spring sunshine, Hyde Park, London, Sunday 14th April 1968. Photos by Edward Dean.

Françoise Hardy relaxes in the spring sunshine, Hyde Park, London, Sunday 14th April 1968. Photos by Edward Dean.

Françoise Hardy during recording session in studio, London, Sunday 14th April 1968. Photo by Edward Dean.

Françoise Hardy in London, May 1968.

Françoise Hardy in London, UK, Friday 26th September, 1969.

Françoise Hardy in London, UK, Friday 26th September, 1969.