Les touristes

Jean-Claude Annoux's song "Les touristes" offers a humorous and satirical portrayal of summer tourists invading picturesque locales. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of these visitors, who arrive in droves from early June to late August, likened to a pack of wolves. They come with dreams of an idyllic life, driving their impressive cars with a sense of conquest, ready to take over beaches and countryside alike. The song captures the tourists' carefree and sometimes reckless behavior, as they swim anywhere, climb everything, and seek to get their money's worth from their vacation.

Annoux's lyrics also delve into the tourists' physical transformation and social interactions. As the temperature rises, so do the tourists' efforts to tan, often resulting in less-than-flattering appearances. Despite this, they proudly display their sunburns and photos to friends back home. The song humorously notes their attempts to charm locals and flirt, often in a disorganized yet determined manner. The tourists' behavior is depicted as both amusing and intrusive, as they seek to integrate into the local scene, sometimes at the expense of the residents' peace and privacy.

The final verses of the song highlight the inevitable end of the tourists' escapades. As their vacation draws to a close, they reluctantly pack up, covering their sunburned skin and returning to their cars with a sense of melancholy. The song ends on a reflective note, acknowledging the cyclical nature of tourism, as one group of tourists departs, another arrives to take their place. Annoux's playful yet critical tone invites listeners to reflect on the impact of tourism on local communities and the often absurd lengths people go to in search of leisure and escape.