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1984 : Serge Gainsbourg brule un billet de banque en direct | Archive INA (INA Culte)In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet” is an epic card of the Memes FR pack, number 3731 of the collection, and the 753rd best-known meme of its 3499 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet” meme mean?
The image is used to illustrate a deliberate act of provocation, a way of signaling indifference toward a rule or authority seen as unfair, even at the cost of causing a scandal. It gets reused alongside a carefree act of defiance, usually with a touch of dark humor, in keeping with the rebellious persona tied to the singer.
Where does the “Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet” meme come from?
On March 11, 1984, during the widely watched French talk show “7 sur 7”, hosted by Jean-Louis Burgat on TF1, Serge Gainsbourg set fire with his lighter to three-quarters of a 500-franc banknote live on air, filmed in close-up, while commenting on the act and ignoring its illegality, which the host pointed out on set. He claimed to be denouncing what he called a “tax racket”, a 74% tax rate on his income. The scene, closely watched at the time, remains tied to the singer's provocative public image and is still shown as a symbol of his taste for televised scandal.
- 1984Serge Gainsbourg burns a 500-franc banknote live on the talk show “7 sur 7” on TF1.
How to use the “Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet” meme
- Sharing the image alongside a deliberate act of defiance against an overbearing rule.
- Citing the scene to illustrate a calm, offhand provocation.
- Bringing up the burnt banknote to sum up a jaded comment about taxes.
Also searched as
- gainsbourg burning banknote
- gainsbourg 500 franc note
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- why did gainsbourg burn money
The “Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 3731 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | Memes FR pack |
| Fame | 50/100 · #753 of 3499 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
| Suggested by | @avengedseb |
How to get the “Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet comes out of the Memes FR pack as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet”
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Frequently asked questions
Why did Gainsbourg burn a banknote on television?
He wanted to denounce a 74% tax rate on his income, which he called a “tax racket”, by burning part of a 500-franc note live on air.
On which show did Gainsbourg burn the banknote?
On “7 sur 7”, a widely watched French talk show hosted by Jean-Louis Burgat on TF1, on March 11, 1984.
Was Gainsbourg's act legal?
No, the show's host reminded him live on air that the act was illegal, which Gainsbourg ignored.
How much was the banknote Gainsbourg burned worth?
It was a 500-franc note, about three-quarters of which he burned with his lighter.
How do I get the Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet” is an epic card of the Memes FR pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Gainsbourg qui brûle un billet card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Serge Gainsbourg — Wikipédia · checked on October 30, 2026.
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