French music review: Boulevard de l’enfance by Gauvain Sers

Born in Limoges in 1989, singer-songwriter Gauvain Sers started out with a career path that was decidedly unmusical.

After gaining a science-focused high school diploma, he attended preparatory classes in Paris (which are used to gain admission to elite engineering or veterinary schools) before enrolling at the ENSEEIHT engineering school in Toulouse.

However, he abandoned all that to take courses in music composition and songwriting at Manufacture Chanson in Paris.

It paid off – by his mid-20s, he was chosen by popular singer Renaud to open for a 75-date concert tour.

He also appeared on various television and radio shows with the singer – all this before even releasing his debut album, 2017’s Pourvu, which reached number two in the charts and went on to become certified platinum (100,000 units sold). The whimsical video for title track Pourvu was directed by Amélie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Sers has just released his fourth album, Boulevard de l’enfance, featuring his trademark tenderness and wit... and a lovely duet with legend Francis Cabrel.

Sers is touring throughout 2026.