Paul-Olivier, whose real name is Olivier Pluquet, is a French Christian singer-songwriter. A former choir member of the Continentals Singers, he released his first album, Traces, in 1992, won the gold podium of French song in 1995 with Artiste de la Vie, then went on to release a string of worship albums through to his recent singles Merci Seigneur and Mon seul abri.
Paul-Olivier, whose real name is Olivier Pluquet, grew up surrounded by music long before becoming a familiar face on the French Christian scene. He cut his teeth as a tenor and soloist within the Continentals Singers, an international choir that has trained many young Christian singers, then opened for artists such as François Feldman, Exo, Master Musique, and New Gospel Family. He also worked as a backing vocalist alongside international worship figures such as Graham Kendrick and Ron Kenoly, before launching a solo career with the album Traces in 1992.
Three years later, his song Artiste de la Vie earned him the gold podium of French song and fifth place in the SACEM song competition, confirming his place in French-speaking Christian music. After Logo in 2001 and B-Attitude in 2014, he returned in 2022 with two standout singles, Merci Seigneur and Jésus est la réponse, a cover of the Andraé Crouch classic. His music, halfway between French variety and worship, always carries the same message: communicating the hope and faith that drive him.
- Origin
- France
- Style
- Christian song and worship, French variety
- Active since
- 1992 (first album Traces)
- Good to know
- real name Olivier Pluquet, former Continentals Singers choir member, has worked alongside Graham Kendrick and Ron Kenoly
How did Paul-Olivier get started?
Before releasing a single album, Paul-Olivier honed his craft as a tenor and soloist within the Continentals Singers, an international choral group that launched the careers of many Christian musicians. This experience led him to open for artists such as François Feldman and the Christian group Exo, and to sing backing vocals alongside recognized figures of international worship, Graham Kendrick and Ron Kenoly chief among them.
Building on this stage experience, he recorded his first album, Traces, in 1992. Three years later, Confidences pour Confidences and its flagship track Artiste de la Vie earned him the gold podium of French song, as well as fifth place in the major song competition organized by SACEM, the French society of authors and composers.
What makes Paul-Olivier distinctive?
Paul-Olivier has built his career at the crossroads of two worlds: classic French song, with its polished melodies and SACEM competitions, and Christian worship, designed to accompany a community in adoration. Few French-speaking Christian singer-songwriters can claim recognition within the mainstream French song circuit while remaining faithful, album after album, to an openly held message of hope.
His return in 2022, after eight years without a new album since B-Attitude, also shows his ability to reinvent himself: the singles Merci Seigneur and Jésus est la réponse, the latter a cover of the Andraé Crouch classic Jesus Is the Answer, herald a new acoustic project, Mémory Acoustique, cowritten with guitarist and arranger Joël Gombert.
Where should you start to discover Paul-Olivier?
For a first listen, Merci Seigneur and Mon seul abri, available as official music videos on his YouTube channel, give a good sense of his current musical direction: songs of gratitude and trust, with a stripped-back acoustic arrangement. Artiste de la Vie, from the 1995 album Confidences pour Confidences, remains the track that first brought him to a wider audience.
The rest of his discography, from Traces in 1992 to B-Attitude in 2014, is listed on TopChrétien Musique and available on the main streaming platforms, Deezer, Spotify, and Apple Music.
songs
Merci Seigneur
Single released in 2022, from the upcoming album Mémory Acoustique, arranged with guitarist Joël Gombert.
Mon seul abri
Official music video published on his YouTube channel, a song affirming trust in God as a refuge.
Discography
- 2022Jésus est la réponse· cover of the Andraé Crouch classic Jesus Is the Answer
- 2022Merci Seigneur· single
- 2014B-Attitude
- 2001Logo
- 1995Confidences pour Confidences· gold podium of French song for Artiste de la Vie
- 1992Traces· first album
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Paul-Olivier?
Paul-Olivier, whose real name is Olivier Pluquet, is a French Christian singer-songwriter. A former tenor with the Continentals Singers, he released his first album, Traces, in 1992, before going on to release many worship and Christian song albums through to today.
What is Paul-Olivier's best known song?
Artiste de la Vie, released on the album Confidences pour Confidences in 1995, earned him the gold podium of French song and fifth place in the SACEM competition. His recent singles, Merci Seigneur and Mon seul abri, are also among his most listened to songs.
Where can you listen to Paul-Olivier?
His official YouTube channel features his recent music videos, including Merci Seigneur and Mon seul abri. His complete discography, from Traces in 1992 to B-Attitude in 2014, is also available on TopChrétien Musique, Deezer, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Is Paul-Olivier a Christian?
Yes. Paul-Olivier describes himself as a Christian author, composer, and performer, with a mission to communicate his hope and his faith. His journey began in the Christian choirs of the Continentals Singers before he became a recognized voice in French-speaking Christian song.
What is Paul-Olivier's real name?
Paul-Olivier is the stage name of Olivier Pluquet, a French singer-songwriter active since the early 1990s in Christian song and worship.
Who has Paul-Olivier collaborated with?
Paul-Olivier has sung as a backing vocalist alongside Graham Kendrick and Ron Kenoly, two international worship figures, and opened for François Feldman, Exo, Master Musique, and New Gospel Family. His single Merci Seigneur is cowritten with guitarist and arranger Joël Gombert.