Marseille’s vibrant energy, its unique blend of cultures, and its distinctive rhythm have develop into the very foundation of Gabrielle Giraud’s comedy. Observing and capturing the nuances of everyday life, she’s honed a talent for imitation and storytelling since childhood. “As a little girl, I used to mimic my family members, I always loved to entertain and make people laugh,” says Gabrielle Giraud, a rising star in the Marseille stand-up scene.
Following high school, Giraud naturally gravitated towards cinema studies, a world she’d been exposed to through her mother, a head hair and makeup artist on film sets. She began her career as a behind-the-scenes director, creating making-of content, and then transitioned into the role of assistant director on television series. However, she recently left that position to fully dedicate herself to her passion: performing stand-up comedy and making audiences laugh.
From Snapchat Videos to the Stage: A Stand-Up Revelation
The turning point came during the 2020 COVID-19 confinement. Giraud filled her days creating humorous videos using Snapchat filters. Encouraged by friends, particularly her friend Iris, she shared her account publicly, and the response was immediate. This initial success fueled her desire to explore stand-up further.
Emerging from lockdown, Giraud sought a new artistic direction, “in search of more meaning.” She initially enrolled at the Théâtre de l’Art Dû, but found the environment too formal. She was more captivated by the classes offered by Bedou, a fellow stand-up comedian. “I was immediately drawn to the introspective aspect of the discipline and the freedom to advise my own stories rather than follow a prescribed script,” explains Giraud, who grew up admiring the comedic styles of Elie Semoun and Elie Kakou.
After a few months of training, she took the stage for the first time on December 26, 2021. The experience was exhilarating. She recounted the story of her aunt Fred, a boisterous Marseillaise who was famously apprehended by the police – a story that quickly became a crowd favorite, or as Giraud describes it, “a banger.”
Her talent quickly gained recognition. She was noticed by the programmer at the Garage Comedy Club, a venue that energized her with its “electric atmosphere.” “That’s when I realized there might really be something to this,” she recalls. Giraud now boasts over 120,000 followers on Instagram, a testament to her growing popularity. Her comedic style centers on playfully dissecting stereotypes about people from the South of France, skillfully mimicking accents and mannerisms, and delivering sharp, insightful observations. She draws inspiration from everywhere, constantly observing and taking notes.
To test her material with different audiences, Giraud ventured to Paris, performing in bars in Montmartre – often under challenging conditions, without microphones and to small crowds. This experience proved invaluable, forcing her to refine her act and build resilience. “Parisian stand-up is a bit of a school of humility. You stumble, you learn,” she admits, realizing she could “export her humor beyond Marseille.”
A Successful First Show and a Growing Voice
Upon returning to Marseille, Giraud balanced her operate as an assistant director with her burgeoning stand-up career, but eventually found herself overwhelmed and decided to dedicate herself fully to the stage.
With the support of her family, particularly her mother, whom she affectionately calls “mamageuse,” Giraud developed her first full-length show. Transitioning from ten-minute sets in comedy clubs to a 70-minute performance was a success. Her show tackles intimate and politically charged topics, including her coming out, her identity as a queer woman, body image, and social injustices. Giraud uses humor as a powerful tool “to entertain but likewise to plant seeds in people’s minds.” She believes that laughing at absurdity or injustice creates a shared understanding, opens dialogue, and can shift perspectives.
Her show has already attracted nearly 3,500 attendees across France, and she plans to continue touring even as simultaneously writing her second show. Giraud maintains a rigorous discipline, balancing her creative work with boxing – which she describes as “essential to my mental balance” – and volunteering with Les Petits Frères des Pauvres (Little Brothers of the Poor), a charity supporting elderly people.
Funny, sensitive, engaged, and a unique performer, Gabrielle Giraud has established herself as a prominent figure in the booming Marseille stand-up scene. The city’s energy clearly informs her work, and she’s become a voice for a new generation of comedians.
A Taste of Marseille:
A restaurant in Marseille?
Le Partenope, a small trattoria in Le Panier.
A spot to recharge?
I like to go to the Bains des dames. I need the sea to recharge and identify peace.
A Marseillaise expression?
“Quésecé.”
A venue to play?
I would say the Garage Comedy Club and the Vig’s.
Giraud is currently scheduled to perform at the L’Art Dû theater in Marseille on June 12, 2026, as part of the Scène Méditerranée series, according to listings on L’Art Dû’s website. She will also be performing with Julien Vinh on May 31, 2025, at the same venue.
As Gabrielle Giraud continues to refine her craft and expand her audience, she represents a vibrant new voice in French comedy, one deeply rooted in the culture and character of Marseille. Preserve an eye on her upcoming performances and the release of her next show.
What are your thoughts on the rise of stand-up comedy in France? Share your comments below and help spread the word about this exciting new talent!
