Claude François's 'cursed' Paris flat is back on the market: the incredible story of Cloclo's final refuge

Some places seem to carry a weight too heavy for comfortable habitation. This one, tucked away in Paris's 16th arrondissement, is a case in point. The flat where Claude François, the legendary Cloclo, spent his last hours has just reappeared on the property market. Sold a mere five months ago, this property steeped in history – and mystery – is already looking for a new owner. The news has sent shockwaves through the community of fans devoted to the 70s idol.

The four walls that witnessed Cloclo's final moments

For those with a nostalgic bent, this isn't just any flat. It's the sanctuary where the singer of Alexandrie Alexandra died on 11 March 1978, electrocuted while changing a light bulb. Locals will tell you: this apartment on Boulevard Exelmans has retained a strange aura ever since. But it's not just the artist's death that fuels the legend. Word in the neighbourhood has it that three people subsequently met their end there under murky circumstances. It's the kind of tale the old-timers whisper to each other, almost as if to ward off bad luck.

A property under a curse?

What strikes people is the recurring pattern of tragedy. Since Cloclo's death, the flat has changed hands several times, and each time, fate seemed to intervene. The latest episode: the quick-fire sale last autumn. The buyer, a businessman with a passion for French popular music, never actually moved in. Local estate agents, who often prefer to keep the address quiet, describe it as a property "difficult to place". Not because of the price, but because of that persistent rumour of a cursed house.

Claude François's son, keeper of the flame

The name Claude François Jr. frequently comes up in this story. The star's eldest son, now a musician and producer, grew up in the shadow of this tragedy. While he's never officially tried to buy back his father's flat, he clearly feels a connection to that past. Perhaps he prefers to hold onto the memory of his living father, rather than this setting frozen in tragedy. He remains the discreet guardian of a legacy that thousands of fans continue to revere.

And where do the other Jean-Claudes fit in?

You can't mention that surname without a wry smile: Claude, a first name that seems to bring luck… or not. You immediately think of Jean-Claude Van Damme, the muscles from Brussels, who has also had his share of ups and downs. Or Jean-Claude Carrière, Buñuel's favourite screenwriter, who would surely have loved to write a script about this haunted dwelling. One thing's for sure: if those two ever crossed paths with this property, the combination would be explosive. But for now, they're keeping a sensible distance from the capital.

Patrice Leconte, the director who could film it all

Who better than Patrice Leconte to adapt this story for the big screen? The director of Les Bronzés has often dabbled in the strange and tragic (The Girl on the Bridge). With a subject like this, he'd craft a psychological thriller with the city of Paris playing a starring role. You can already picture the camera gliding along the Haussmannian buildings before pausing on that unremarkable façade behind which so many secrets lie. A film Cloclo's fans would flock to see as a pilgrimage.

Who will dare to take on the challenge?

As the property listing resurfaces, the question on everyone's lips is: which oblivious – or courageous – buyer will dare to settle in this nest of memories? Superstitious Parisians give a hollow laugh: "They might need to bless the place before stepping inside." Others, more pragmatic, see it as a golden opportunity for a museum or foundation dedicated to Claude François. In the meantime, the flat awaits its new owner. And if these walls could talk, they'd probably have tales to tell that would send a shiver down even Jean-Claude Van Damme's spine.

Need to know about this one-of-a-kind property:

• Location: 16th arrondissement, near the Roland-Garros stadium.
• Size: approximately 120 sq m, with views over the courtyard and garden.
• History: Final residence of Claude François, who died in 1978.
• Rumours: Three suspicious deaths following that of the singer.
• Availability: Put back on the market as of March 2026.

One thing is certain: this apartment will continue to be talked about, whether its new owner is a star or an unknown. And we'll be following the story closely, like friends at a Parisian café table, ready for the next twist in this extraordinary property saga.