Marc Lucien Lavoine (born August 6, 1962, in Longjumeau, Essonne, France) is a French singer, songwriter, actor, and television personality. Known for his deep, immediately recognizable voice and romantic pop repertoire, he became one of the prominent figures in French chanson from the mid-1980s onward. His work combines melodic pop, traditional French variety, and lyrics centered on love, memory, loneliness, and social observation.
Lavoine began his recording career in the early 1980s. His first notable success came with "Pour une biguine avec toi" in 1984, followed the next year by "Elle a les yeux revolver." The latter reached number four on the French singles chart and established his public image as a stylish young romantic singer. His first album, Marc Lavoine, also included "Le Parking des anges" and "Bascule avec moi," confirming his commercial appeal.
The albums Fabrique (1987), Les Amours du dimanche (1989), and Paris (1991) expanded his profile while retaining the elegant, emotionally direct style associated with his early work. His collaborations became an important part of his musical identity. "Qu'est-ce que t'es belle," performed with Catherine Ringer, and "Une nuit sur son epaule," recorded with Veronique Sanson, showed his ability to adapt his restrained vocal style to contrasting partners. The album Faux reveur followed in 1993, while Lavoine-Matic (1996) included "C'est ca la France," a socially conscious song that received the Victoire de la Musique award for best video.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Lavoine continued to release albums including 7e ciel, Marc Lavoine, and L'Heure d'ete. His most successful single of that period was "J'ai tout oublie," a duet with Cristina Marocco that reached number one in France in 2001. Other notable recordings include "Paris," "Toi mon amour," "Je ne veux qu'elle," and "Dis-moi que l'amour." After a period in which he concentrated on writing, acting, and other projects, he returned to the forefront of French pop with Je reviens a toi in 2018. Adulte jamais, released in 2022, reached the French top five. In 2024, Revolver revisited several of his best-known songs with symphonic arrangements and guest appearances.
Acting has been a parallel part of Lavoine's career since the 1980s. He gained wider recognition in Claude Chabrol's L'Enfer (1994), and later appeared in films such as Cantique de la racaille, My Wife Is an Actress, Le Coeur des hommes, Toute la beaute du monde, and Liberte. He also provided French voices for animated films, including Darkos in the Arthur and the Minimoys series and Tai Lung in Kung Fu Panda.
On television, Lavoine played Louis Daniel in the international crime series Crossing Lines and took the title role in the French police drama Kepler(s). He served as a coach on the French version of The Voice from 2020 through 2022, bringing his experience as both a performer and songwriter to the program. Across music, film, and television, Lavoine has maintained a career defined by versatility, understated theatricality, and a strong connection with French popular song.