Until recently, this name hardly resonated with the vast majority of French people. Since the end of 1969 when the television series was broadcast “Jacquou le Croquant”, things have changed a lot. We rushed towards this theater of the adventures of the hero ofEugene Le Roy (local novelist) and Stellio Lorenzi (director of the series based on his work).
Jacquou, a hero in spite of himself
1815, Jacquou, young Périgord farmer, lives happily with his parents. But it doesn't last. The Count of Nansac had his Bonapartist father convicted. His mother will die of grief. Orphan, young Jacquou is collected by priest Bonal who undertakes his education. Thanks to the love of Lina and his friends, Jacquou becomes a determined young man. But he does not forget the injustice suffered by his parents and is determined to take revenge. He gathers around him all the crunchy ones who had to complain about Count of Nansac and transforms his revenge into fight for justice. After having ruined the count, he will be condemned then released and will return to his peaceful life as a peasant.
60s film adaptation
Jacquou the Crunch has been the subject of numerous reissues and two adaptations, that of Stellio Lorenzi in the form of television episodes in 1967, whose filming had a strong impact the Périgord Noir and the village of Fanlac. And the one at Laurent Boutonnat in 2007 for the cinema.
Périgord, a region rich in heritage, has inspired Eugene Le Roy, which places its story “Jacquou le Croquant » at the heart of existing places.
Village of Fanlac: upon the death of his mother, Jacquou was taken in by the priest of Fanlac, priest Bonal.
- House of Abbot Bonal
- The church of Fanlac
- Maison de Jacquou (no longer exists)
- Herm Castle (Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac): learning of Lina's death, Jacquou and the rebellious croquants set fire to the Nansac castle.
Only, there you go… Jacquou le Croquant never existed. He only lived in the imagination ofEugene Le Roy, this former tax collector with the face of a Breton bard, this “local and Sunday novelist” who has been nicely called le "Balzac Périgord".
