The Young Girls of Rochefort

The Young Girls of Rochefort

Year: 1967

Runtime: 126 mins

Language: French

Director: Jacques Demy

RomanceComedyDramaSong and danceDazzling vocal performances and musicals

Street scenes filled with song and dance follow two Rochefort sisters—Delphine, a dance teacher, and Solange, a piano teacher and composer. Poet‑painter Maxence, serving in the military, and Simon, a music‑shop owner who has just returned from Paris, each search for love. Unaware that their ideal partner is already nearby, their lives intertwine.

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Timeline & Setting – The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

The events unfold in a contemporary mid-20th-century France setting, with a vibrant town fair, music shops, and café culture. Fashion, music, and dance reflect the era’s cultural mood as the characters chase Parisian dreams. The period’s optimism and social milieu shape the romance and artistic ambitions of the twins and their circle.

Location

Rochefort, Paris

Rochefort is a French seaside town on the Bay of Biscay where a Sunday fair fills the town square. The story centers on life in Rochefort, with its café, dancers, and an art gallery forming the backdrop. The dream of moving to Paris frames the narrative, contrasting small-town charm with big-city artistic ambitions.

🏖️ Seaside town 🎪 Festival atmosphere 🖼️ Art & culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:20

Main Characters – The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

Meet the key characters of The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Delphine Garnier (Catherine Deneuve)

Delphine is a disciplined ballet teacher who dreams of Parisian stardom. She balances art with life in Rochefort and navigates love and ambition, challenging possessive relationships along the way. Her drive marks her as the more determined twin, while remaining deeply connected to family and hometown roots.

💃 Dancer 🎨 Artist ✨ Ambitious

Solange Garnier (Françoise Dorléac)

Solange accompanies the dancers as pianist and is determined to compose for a future Paris scene. She forms a romantic arc with Andy and uses her music to bridge Rochefort with a broader world. Her artistic temperament pushes her toward independence and self-expression.

🎹 Pianist 🎼 Composer ✨ Independent

Maxence (Jacques Perrin)

Maxence is a sailor-painter-poet who searches for an ideal partner and a deeper sense of meaning. He becomes a catalyst for Delphine and Yvonne’s paths, representing the broader world of art and romance beyond Rochefort. His presence highlights the transient, aspirational nature of Paris-bound love.

🖌️ Artist 🎨 Painter 🚢 Sailor

Andy Miller (Gene Kelly)

Andy is an American composer touring in France, whose arrival sparks Solange’s romance and musical opportunities. He embodies the cross-cultural blend of the film’s world—glamour, rhythm, and a pathway to big-stage performances. His presence links music to love and ambition.

🎶 Composer 🌍 American 💫 Charmer

Guillaume Lancien (Jacques Riberolles)

Guillaume is Delphine’s egotistical boyfriend who tries to steer Delphine’s career for his own ends. His self-centered attitude contrasts with the sisters’ sincerity and artistic drive, highlighting the tension between control and independence.

🎭 Ego 💼 Ambition

Yvonne Garnier (Danielle Darrieux)

Yvonne runs a café in the town square and anchors the family with warmth and practical wisdom. She supports her daughters’ dreams while reflecting on past choices that shaped the twins’ paths. Her presence grounds the story in everyday life and maternal care.

☕ Café Life 🫶 Family Matriarch

Simon Dame (Michel Piccoli)

Simon owns a music shop and acts as a bridge between Rochefort and the wider artistic world. He reveals a romantic past and helps connect Solange with Andy, contributing to the town’s cultural mood and the twins’ opportunities.

🎵 Music Shop 🧭 Connector

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:20

Major Themes – The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

Explore the central themes of The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎶 Music & Dance

Music and dance drive the story, from Solange’s piano accompaniment to Delphine’s dance ambitions and the film’s musical numbers. The performances at the fair symbolize artistic expression and the sisters’ pursuit of broader recognition. The presence of Andy Miller and Simon Dame ties performance to romance, underscoring art as a path to love.

💘 Romance & Destiny

Romantic attraction pulls the twins toward Paris and away from their immediate relationships. The interplay with Étienne, Bill, Guillaume, and Andy shows different routes to fulfillment, some at odds with personal independence. Fate and choice collide as love intersects with ambition and self-discovery.

🌟 Dreams & Ambition

Delphine yearns to dance in Paris, while Solange aspires to compose and connect with the wider musical world. Their dreams propel the plot, forcing them to weigh comfort against pursuit of a larger stage. The Paris dream anchors the film’s sense of self-determination and growth.

👯‍♀️ Sisters’ Bond

The twin sisters share a strong, supportive bond that frames their choices and resilience. They navigate competition, romance, and the need for independence while remaining tied to family and hometown roots. Their partnership provides emotional continuity as they chase separate but parallel destinies.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:20

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The Young Girls of Rochefort Summary

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The Young Girls of Rochefort Summary

The Young Girls of Rochefort Timeline

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The Young Girls of Rochefort Timeline

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