For several generations, Grand-Saint-Germain was quite simply, a true institution. At the helm of the nightclub, Jean Bléron. His name was linked to the Sacylian establishment.
A major page in the nightlife of the Oise is being turned. Jean Bléron was the emblematic boss of Grand-Saint-Germain, this nightclub which was a reference in the south of Oise for several decades. Jean died this last weekend before Christmas, in complete discretion, as was this man of strong convictions whose watchword was “that everyone can have fun until the end of the night”.
Le Grand-Saint-Germain is an unmissable establishment. Known in the Paris region since the Kimbers and the less emblematic name Loulou, who became boss of the Lido de Creil, found there an almost permanent stage to test the new creations which will make generations of guincheurs dance.
A name inseparable from Grand-Saint-Germain
In the 70s, 80s and 90s, it was the place to go for a good evening. A warm welcome, good music, in short, atmosphere. This is what Jean Bléron loved, who knew how to make his establishment evolve with demand.
He was also a man with strong political convictions, even if he did not get involved personally. Very close to the RPR of the time, very Chiraquian in any case, he organized events and meetings on several occasions. Everyone remembers meeting Charles Pasqua in the 90s at the height of his popularity.
Bonds of friendship above all
Jean Bléron was close to the general councilor at the time, Alain Crevits. A bond of friendship united these two men. When the former general councilor died, then mayor of the small neighboring town of Labruyère, Jean was convinced at that moment: “the era is over,” he confided.
Then, gradually, the regulars turned away from the principle of the evening in a nightclub. The establishments closed one after the other, but Jean held on to this baby. For a long time, he lived in Sacy-le-Grand itself, a few dozen meters from his establishment.
The fire at Grand-Saint-Germain had bruised him
Then there was the tragedy, a fire in 2005, which destroyed Grand-Saint-Germain. Jean Bléron was particularly affected by this catastrophe. It was even more so when the rumor circulated that the fire “was not accidental”. An investigation quickly showed the opposite, but he was deeply hurt that some people could have thought that.
This establishment was his life. But rebuild a room while the general public is gradually turning away from nightclubs. Was this really reasonable? The choice was then made to definitively turn the page. In place of Grand-Saint-Germain, pretty residences are located. And if ghosts still haunt the area, they are only dancers and lovers of an establishment which still arouses a certain nostalgia today, almost twenty years after its closure.
Today, on social networks and in particular on a page dedicated to friends of Grand-Saint-Germain, it is sadness that dominates. For many, Jean was a friend, a confidant at times and above all, an upright man.
It is the world of the night, from the sixties to the two thousand, which is in mourning a few days before Christmas.
There is no doubt that with Loulou Dupont from Lido, Alain Vanhoutte from César’s, Jean-Claude Fannic from Espace, these four must create quite an atmosphere from where they are.
