Maurice Baquet

Maurice Baquet, born on May 26, 1911, in Villefranche-sur-Saône, was a multifaceted French artist whose talents spanned cello performance, acting, and sports. He passed away on July 8, 2005, in Noisy-le-Grand. Baquet's personal life included two marriages: first to Jacqueline Figus from 1944 to 1959, with whom he had a daughter, Sophie, and later to Maria Yakimova until her death. Together with Yakimova, he had four children, all of whom pursued careers in the arts, contributing to the legacy of creativity within the family.

Baquet's musical journey began at the Lyon conservatory, where he honed his cello skills before advancing to study in Paris alongside notable peers such as Henri Dutilleux and Paul Bonneau. Despite his early setback in securing a position with the Paris Opera orchestra, he maintained his passion for the cello, notably appearing in a poignant scene in Joseph Losey’s film *Monsieur Klein*.

His acting career took off in the 1930s with the October Group, where he collaborated with influential figures like Jacques Prévert. Baquet made his film debut in Marc Allégret's *Les Beaux Jours* in 1935, ultimately amassing a filmography of over 80 titles, with memorable roles in films such as *Bibi Fricotin* and *Ribouldingue*.

In addition to his artistic endeavors, Baquet was an adventurous spirit, engaging in ski mountaineering and comedic performances, including a memorable descent from the Butte Montmartre's stairs. He co-directed the award-winning film *Stars and Tempests* in 1955 and completed the first ascent of the southeast face of the Aiguille du Midi in 1956 with renowned mountaineer Gaston Rébuffat. A close friend of photographer Robert Doisneau, Baquet collaborated with him