L'Heure d'été (album)

L'Heure d'été (English: "Summer Time") is the ninth studio album by French singer Marc Lavoine, released on 5 June 2005 through the labels Mercury France and Universal. Production was handled by Jean-Félix Lalanne, Christophe Casanave, Fabrice Aboulker, Yann Cortella, Pascal Obispo, Dimitri Tikovoï and Lavoine himself. The lyrics were primarily written by Lavoine himself as well. The album displays a consistent set of themes and lyricism throughout its songs, rooted in emotional intimacy, reflection, and melancholy, with lyrical content that deals primarily with love in its many forms—including its tenderness, fragility, and loss.

Upon release, the album experienced significant commercial success following its release. In France, the album debuted and peaked at number 3 on the SNEP Albums Chart, where it remained for several weeks. It was well received by the public and became one of Marc Lavoine’s most commercially successful albums. The album was certified double gold by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for physical sales exceeding 500,000 copies, reflecting strong nationwide popularity. In Belgium (Wallonia), it also performed well, reaching a peak position of number 6 on the Ultratop Albums Chart. It remained on the chart for an extended period and was awarded a gold certification by BEA (Belgian Entertainment Association) for sales of 25,000 copies. The album continued to chart in Belgium and France into the following year, appearing on the year-end album charts for both 2005 and 2006, which indicates sustained commercial performance. In Switzerland, the album peaked at number 23 on the Swiss Albums Chart, further illustrating its reach in Francophone and European markets beyond France.

Two singles were released from L'heure d'été, namely "Toi mon amour" and "Je me sens si seul"—each achieving moderate commercial success, particularly in France and Belgium. "Toi mon amour", the lead single, achieved notable commercial success in France, where it peaked at #24 on the SNEP Singles Chart. It also charted in Belgium (Wallonia) at #38 but did not make an impact on the Swiss charts. Despite not reaching the Top 10, it became one of Marc Lavoine’s most recognized songs. However, the song did not appear on year-end charts. In contrast, "Je me sens si seul" had a more modest reception. It peaked at #60 on the SNEP Singles Chart in France but did not chart in Belgium or Switzerland. It also did not feature on year-end charts. The single, while not as commercially successful as its predecessor, was appreciated for its melancholic tone and introspective lyrics. "Tu m'as renversé" and "J'espère", a duet with Belgium singer of Vietnamese descent Quynh Anh, were just released as promotional singles.