The Extensive Potential of Loulou de Montmartre (2007-08)
- shelby-liza ndumbi
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Written by Shelby-Liza Ndumbi
Such little mercies. Here we are again with another TV series that got undeservingly swept under the rug without a conclusive ending. Loulou de Montmartre became one of my favorite French animated shows, along with: Foot2Rue (Street Soccer), Cédric, Les Malheurs de Sophie (Sophie’s Misfortunes), Baskup (The Basketeers) lol, Wakfu, and I’m still searching for more.
Synopsis: The story follows 12-year-old orphan Loulou and her friend/love interest Gaby (Gabriel) on their quest to unmask the Baron de Boisrobert’s plot that involves Montmartre and Loulou’s hidden lineage with the assistance of the Man with the Silver Cane by his side. Based on the 21 Tomes by Françoise Boublil and Jean Helpert.
SPOILER WARNING
••••
Major Characters of Paris 1899-1900
Baron Bertrand de Boisrobert:
If you’re looking for a self-obsessed, power-hungry socialite that stops at nothing to get what he wants by resorting to manipulation, murder, intimidation, bribery, arson, kidnapping, the acts of a chameleon and disposing of evidence, then you found him. He’s right there. Come get your boy --- But in all seriousness, he’s everything wrong with high society. His crazed need to rid Paris of Montmartre, where the seemingly unworthy live, so he could build luxury accommodations for those with ten bags of coins in their pockets to throw that money around like confetti is exactly the kind of action you’ll see him do.
The Baron had an entire coup planned.
His misguided version of “doing things the nice way” is barbaric. He wanted the Castle de Lagny, Loulou’s ancestral home, so badly that 12 years ago he killed the lawyer linked to our protagonist’s family to frame her father for murder. He took Loulou hostage with a dagger. He ordered the execution of Victor Duchêne, the former editor-in-chief of Le Clairon. He’s suspiciously too close to the police department. Eléonore, Loulou’s great-grandmother, died because of his deeds. He didn’t give a damn about his associates. The list of his crimes is endless. The gunshot wound didn’t stop the bastard from vowing revenge before the closing credits.
I can give him one compliment, and that’s his tenacity. He has plenty of it. It’s a shame that it’s used for greed. I know there are many menacing, wealthy people depicted in entertainment media, but the Baron de Boisrobert is memorable due to his name, his presence in the show, and his voice acting.
Gautier de Lagny:
Amazingly so, this man is one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever met. After being framed for the murder of his family lawyer, he ran away while being chased by the original Man with the Silver Cane. Fortunately for him during a flashback, we learn that Gautier assumed the identity of the Man for swift movement. He truly had to embody the visceral essence of that person’s way of talking, walking, responding to the Baron, Dédé le Borgne, and Boris Tcherenko. He felt disgusted with himself so many times and nearly resorted to old violent tactics once revealed. Seeing him like this demonstrated a level of internal division that I didn’t expect to witness.
With these declarations in the open, Dédé was willing to testify against the Baron, so he had Tcherenko cut Gautier’s only lifeline. That coerced him into hiding again, and it didn’t help that he ended up killing Tcherenko right as the cops passed by. Ha! How poorly timed. Gaby met up with Loulou by a fountain to inform her that her dad was fine, but they needed to find evidence to clear his name. What that would have been? I don’t know.
The scene where he was holding Loulou’s ballet shoes confirmed my suspicion that he was her father. He was just converging back into society after finding his wife and daughter, then —- BOOM! He’s back to square one.
Loulou and Gaby:
Loulou had to go through unexplained abandonment, the death of Père Ménard on New Year’s, temporarily losing contact with Gaby because she was attending a horrible boarding school, she was deprived of dancing, almost starved, had her big break taking from her by Solange, nearly drowned, went into hiding, found her mom, got exposed to the biggest deception, came close to being stabbed, but an established romantic route with Gaby in episode 26 turned things around and claim her Duchess title as Lorraine de Lagny. Damn. What I admired about her was her ability to remain focused, heartfelt, and resourceful at the same time.
I was pissed when she even thought of fraternizing with Charles… someone that clearly comes from money, which made it difficult for Gaby to compete. I’m glad she realized that she made a mistake. I noticed that they were each other’s best parts, so that nonsense would have ruined everything. No hate towards Charles since he does help keep our protagonist safe. Except for that one little fault where he stole the neckless Gaby gifted to Loulou. I think it was out of embarrassment that he gave it back to her.
I don’t have many favourite male characters, yet Gaby is a rare one. His street smarts provided him with a sharp tongue and an investigative mind in his pursuit to pull the chair from under the Baron. I like that he has his own voice and objectives that he could stand on. Working to take that man down affected him personally since he originated from Montmartre as well, he got separated from his grandfather because of that. Becoming the new editor-in-chief at such a small age meant that Victor Duchêne trusted him infinitely over any of the other senior employees. I found it bizarre that in some cases fans wrote in summary that he was the jealous one of the two boys crushing on Loulou, when really, it was Charles who was the most envious. He tried so hard to insert himself. Despite the Three-Paces-and-Turn shootout Gaby suggested, he was willing to let her go if it meant she was with the right person.
Their dynamic was so mature, cute, and refreshing. They grew up so much individually and as a team that I would have broken someone’s neck if they didn’t end up together. And yeah, they kissed by the fountain, but after that, you don’t hear, nor see them do anything else. That’s when I started crying…
••••
[ Brainstorm Box ]
You know what’s strange? When I revisited the Wikipedia page, the information at the bottom telling readers that the creative team behind the show had scheduled to make three or four more episodes suddenly vanished... The latest modification was January 15, 2026. Absolutely unbelievable.
I hate when they think that “leaving it for the audience interpretation” is the correct choice. No one gives a damn about that! One of the episodes was titled “La Revanche du Baron” (The Baron’s Revenge) that could have addressed who mended his gunshot wound --- a possible new associate or innocent bystander --- and what he plans to do next since he explicitly said, as he watched Loulou and Gaby by the fountain, to enjoy whatever relief they currently have because this isn’t over. What does a rich person, who’s fallen from grace, even though he was never graceful in the first place, normally do to regain their status?
From what I’ve seen in other pieces of entertainment media, they attempt to lay low in bewildering places while they search for a way to make reasonable money as a startup or grab some of their hidden savings. He’ll seek out his connections and demand favors for previous schemes. The Baron will slowly but surely reappear in society, yet not under his legal name. He’ll be a chameleon like Tcherenko until the time is right to reveal himself. A murder charge would be significantly noticeable if there’s anyone fair left in the justice system; he’ll go down. However, since he tried covering it up the first time, he’ll do it again. This time, he’ll have to be more practical in his footsteps...committing arson and bribery is also bad.
The fact that Dédé wanted to unveil the Baron’s villainy should tell the cops that this man is crooked and not inspecting the matter further will incite distrust within the populace. Instead, they chose to be stupid. Plus, the true identity of the original Man with the Silver Cane hasn’t been discussed either.
Between episodes 8-11, preferably the ones titled “Injustice” and “L’incendie” (The Fire), Gaby’s grandfather, who’s moniker ‘Trompe-la-Mort’ (Death Cheater) is arrested for some do-lally tomfoolery to have him in prison or executed, which encourages his grandson to stage a protest to free him by force. The residents of Montmartre came close to brawling with the police if Loulou hadn’t intervened. The next approach was to help him escape just as they were transporting the inmates by boat, secure an exit vehicle and hide outside of Paris somewhere. The thing is, after that, we don’t see Trompe-la-Mort ever again. We don’t even hear, nor speak of him for the entire show.
I found that very odd. Wherever he went, we don’t know what’s happening over there. He’s Gaby’s last remaining relative, so they promised to see each other in the future. How long will that be? When they manage to apprehend the Baron? When they’ve cleared Gautier’s name? These questions are floating around ambiguously.
For a good portion of the series, Loulou demonstrated her love for ballet and was seen as the best one there is. Solange becoming her understudy enraged her, hence the events that led to Loulou’s near drowning. Not knowing the identity of the Man with the Silver Cane, Charlotte, Loulou’s boarding school friend, decided to pose as his target to get him off Loulou’s back. That’s why she left. If we look back at the promise Charlotte made, she said she’ll return once our protagonist performs on stage. And that hasn’t happened yet. Solange interfering was a cruel, but necessary way of ‘saving the best for last.’
In other words, my following item is the adoptive mother, Léontine, versus the biological mom, Sofia Visconti. For years, Sofia had to assume another name, Sylvia Newton, the singer, just like Gautier, so she could move around with ease in America. The tragedy of 12 years ago forced her to run and leave her daughter with Père Ménard. Léontine raised Loulou as her own, so she’d know her very well compared to the unfortunate lack of knowledge her birth mother has.
Her marriage was short-lived because of the sudden murder and backstabbing. A continuation of the story would allow Sofia to narrate her life in America and overcome her absinthism. As a Duchess-in-training, Sofia would teach Loulou about that unfamiliar world. As a couple, Gaby and Loulou would tackle elements like: him overseeing Le Clairon, and her integrating into her new lifestyle as well as him.
At first, I wasn’t sure, but now I am. All of what I’ve written would be enough for season two with 26 episodes. The new season would venture into establishing oneself into a past heritage, new responsibilities as a boss, exploring a slow-burn romance, duties as a co-mother, clearing one’s name, deluded revenge to reprise a messed-up sense of order, pursuing a dream, reconnection, disinfecting the police force, providing healthier educational environments, eliminating the gross imbalance of social hierarchies, etc.
I’d say I proved my point of the extensiveness of this beautiful masterpiece. 2D animation is sorely missed. This show warrants a watch, Cupcakes, though I recommend you view it on YouTube in French with English subtitles if you’re not versed with the primary language. It’s better for immersion.
Write to you soon!
TOP PHOTO: Promotional Poster
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