Jean-Paul Dréau, Lyricist of 'Le Coup de soleil', Dies at 73

Jean-Paul Dréau, the French songwriter known for penning the hit 'Le Coup de soleil', has died at the age of 73. Born in Oran on June 12, 1953, Dréau, whose real name was Jean-Paul Benchetrit, wrote and composed numerous successful songs for artists including Michel Polnareff and Chimène Badi. His death was reported on August 4, 2026, by Le Monde. Dréau's contributions to French pop music have left a lasting impact, with his work being performed by some of the country's most beloved performers. The cause of death has not been disclosed. He is remembered for his lyrical craftsmanship and melodic sensibility, which helped shape the sound of French popular music over several decades.