This is a page that turns in the history of the PAF. After 18 years of existence, viewers bid farewell to Plus belle la vie during a bonus broadcast on Friday November 18 on France 3. The opportunity for the channel to devote a special evening to closing “the last chapter of ‘an unforgettable story’ which began in 2004.
After 18 seasons, more than 3,290 characters and 4,665 episodes, Plus belle la vie has brought together millions of viewers over the seasons. Chain intrigues, love galore, liters of tears and twists and turns, never has a soap opera held fans of all ages in suspense. Until this final 1h30 episode which attracted nearly 2.8 million witnesses in front of Seven Weddings for a Funeral.
After the death of Roland Marci (played by Michel Cordes), victim of a heart attack, the fans did not hide their emotion. “He represented the most emblematic figure of the series since its debut in 2004”, confided Denis, faithful of the series, for Planet. For his mother Denise, “Roland represented the founding father of the series, he was there from the first episode and he was one of the emblems of the series”.
To end the series on a happy note, several unions were celebrated between the star couples of the France 3 series. An event marked by the return of many actors for the final episode, including a flash mob with all the heroes. “It was festive and pleasant as a finale” tells us Florine, “even if certain scenes were sent”. Despite the absence of certain stars like Laetitia Milot, the viewer and her parents, Philippe and Martine, followed the soap opera for 11 years (intermittently).
“The advantage of this series is that they tackled all social issues,” recalls his mother, a retired National Education worker. Marriage for all, domestic violence, euthanasia or even presidential news… it is a unifying program that viewers will miss. “My daughter still very much regrets the end of the series”.
Now that the series is over, what awaits France 3 viewers? This Monday, November 21, the Marseille soap opera will be replaced by Open kitchen in replay with Mory Sacko. The chef revealed in Top Chef will have the heavy task of replacing the Mistral band from 8:05 p.m. Usually, the cooking show aired on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m.
But, what do these viewers think of the program? “It’s going to be complicated to succeed Plus belle la vie”, admits Martine, comparing it to La Cuisine des mousquetaires by Maïté. But, this culinary parenthesis will only be temporary. As Ouest-France indicates, France 3 will broadcast a program on the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, hosted by Carole Gaessler in January 2023.
For fans of fiction, they will be able to find what they are looking for on other television channels. Martine and Philippe remain faithful to France Télévisions by continuing to watch “in advance” Un si grand soleil sur Salto. As for Florine, she also chooses the same platform to watch Tomorrow belongs to us and Here everything begins, flagship series of TF1. “We each have our preferences”, admits Philippe. “It’s easier to watch after work.” Will their success be there on France 3? Will competing series attract new fans? Response the following Tuesday to the announcement of the hearings by Médiamétrie.
