L'extraordinaire Tour De France D'Adélard Rousseau, Dit Nivernais La Clef Des Cœurs, Compagnon Charpentier Du Devoir

Released in 1981 on the Elektra label, this album represents a notable chapter in the career of the French folk group Malicorne. Founded by Gabriel Yacoub and Marie Sauvet, the band was instrumental in the 1970s folk revival, specifically focusing on the reimagining of traditional French music. This particular record serves as a conceptual work, weaving together the narrative of Adélard Rousseau, a historical figure from the journeyman carpenter tradition known as the Compagnons du Devoir, within the band's signature progressive folk aesthetic.

The production of the album reflects the band's move toward more polished and elaborate studio arrangements during the early 1980s. By centering the music around the life and travels of a mythical-historical carpenter, Malicorne leaned into their interest in regional folklore and social history. The record was received by critics and fans of the period as a testament to the group's ability to blend acoustic roots with contemporary studio textures, cementing their reputation for rigorous research and musical innovation.