Flore Ormea, nicknamed Florette, was born on 29 January 1921 in Beausoleil (Alpes-Maritimes).

She met Jacques Henri Lartigue on 12 January 1942, in Monte Carlo. He was 27 years her senior.

Florette became Lartigue's companion and then wife and remained with him for the rest of his life, sharing his passions, experiences and travels.

In 1979 Jacques and Florette decided to donate Lartigue's entire photographic output to the French state in what, at the time, was an unprecedented initiative for a French photographer.

Together, they decided to set up the Association des Amis de Jacques Henri Lartigue to ensure the integrity and proper exploitation of the collection. When Jacques died in September 1986, Florette became vice-president.

In 1990 she published La traversée du siècle, un récit intime et illustré de la vie de Jacques Lartigue (Bordas, Paris).

Florette Lartigue died in Paris on 2 May 2000.

©2002 Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication - France/AAJHL - Tous droits réservés