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Jules Maigret

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Jules Maigret is a famous fictional detective from France. He works as a commissaire, which means an inspector. He leads the Paris Brigade Criminelle at 36, Quai des Orfèvres. A writer named Georges Simenon created this character. Maigret is a beloved figure in many books. People all over the world enjoy his stories. They have been translated into more than 50 languages.

Marcel Guillaume commissaire divisionnaire 1932
Marcel Guillaume commissaire divisionnaire 1932

Maigret has a very specific way of working. He is not just a man of logic. Instead, he relies heavily on his intuition. He often says, "I never think." He likes to immerse himself in a victim's life. This helps him understand why a crime happened. He is also known for long interrogations. He will sit with suspects for a long time. He uses beer and sandwiches to keep going. He wants to be a "mender of destinies."

Simenon began writing about Maigret in the late 1920s. He was traveling on his boat, the Ostrogoth. This boat was traveling through northern France and Holland. While the boat was being repaired in Delfzijl, he wrote. He finished the first true Maigret novel in 1930. This book was titled Pietr-le-Letton. It was later published in a magazine called Ric et Rac.

Delfzijl Maigret 02
Delfzijl Maigret 02

Maigret is a very large and powerfully built man. He has broad shoulders and large hands. His eyes are a greenish gray color. He has thick hair and thick eyebrows. He usually wears a thick black overcoat. In the 1930s, he wore a bowler hat. By the 1940s, he switched to a fedora. He also frequently smokes a tobacco pipe. He is happily married to his wife, Louise. He is aided by a group called "The Faithful Four." This team includes Lucas, Janvier, Lapointe, and Torrence.

Many people have wondered who inspired this character. Some believe he was based on Marcel Guillaume. Guillaume was a real French police commissioner. Simenon also said his father might be an influence. Other writers think Simenon saw himself in Maigret. Between 1930 and 1972, many stories were published. There are 75 novels and 28 short stories. These stories have become many films and radio shows. Maigret remains a classic part of French culture.

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File:Marcel Guillaume commissaire divisionnaire 1932.jpg
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File:Delfzijl Maigret 02.JPG
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