Did you know that Hélène Boucher’s life story is as captivating as any Parisian tale? We are standing at Mail Hélène Boucher. It stands as a silent witness to a life that soared to incredible heights before tragically falling.
Hélène Antoinette Eugénie Boucher entered this world in Paris on May 23, 1908. Her father Léon Boucher was a Parisian architect. From childhood, she earned the nickname Léno. Léno would stay with her throughout her life among family. During World War I, she and her family left Paris. They found refuge in their family property in Yermenonville. There she started collecting photos and articles about planes and aviators.
Back in Paris at 169, rue de Rennes, Hélène attended Lycée Montaigne. She then went to Collège Sévigné. This was France’s first secular secondary school for young girls. Here she met Dolly Van Dongen, daughter of painter Kees van Dongen. Dolly became a lifelong friend.
At 22, Hélène Boucher decided to become a pilot. This decision came from the death of her brother’s friend. The test pilot Jean Hubert died. She had her first flight on July 4, 1930, at 22. Hélène became a student of Henri Liaudet. He was an instructor at the Aéroclub des Landes de Mont-de-Marsan.
In March 1931, she took her first flying lesson. By June 21, 1931, she had her pilot’s license. To get her professional license, she needed 100 hours of flight time. She also needed a night flight. She bought a used plane to achieve this. Hélène received her professional pilot’s license in June 1932. She became the fourth woman in France to do so.
In July 1932, she entered the Cannes – Deauville air rally. Her poorly prepared aircraft failed. She landed urgently. The plane snagged in tree branches. Léno escaped unharmed.
In early 1933, she began a Paris-Saigon raid. In July 1933, she participated in the 12 Hours of Angers. She finished 14th overall. Hélène was the first woman to cross the finish line. On August 2, she set her first world record. She reached 5,900 meters in her Mauboussin aircraft. This was the women’s altitude record for light aircraft.
Hélène began learning aerobatics in September 1933. Her instructor was test pilot Michel Détroyat. He said she would be the best in the world within months. In 1934, Hélène joined Maryse Bastié and Adrienne Bolland in feminist activism. She campaigned for French women’s voting rights.
In June 1934, Hélène Boucher signed with Caudron-Renault. François Lehideux hired her to promote Renault aircraft. This contract provided technical support. It also gave her a regular salary.
On July 8, 1934, she ranked second in the 12 Hours of Angers. She flew her Caudron-Rafale for twelve hours straight alone. She broke the world record for 1,000 km for light aircraft. On August 8, 1934, Hélène broke two records in her Caudron-Renault Rafale. She achieved 412 km/h over 100 km. She also hit 409 km/h over 1,000 km. On August 11, she set the women’s world speed record at 445 km/h.
Renault also contracted Hélène Boucher to promote its Vivasport car. Marcel Riffard designed both the Caudron Rafale and the Renault Viva Grand Sport.
On November 30, 1934, Hélène Boucher died in a training flight. It happened at Guyancourt aerodrome in a Caudron C.430 Rafale. The press reported a loss of speed on landing. The plane hit trees and crashed near Brouessy. Pilots Raymond Delmotte, Fouquet, and Goury were first on the scene. Hélène Boucher died in the ambulance on the way to Versailles.
Hélène Boucher’s funeral was at the Église Saint-Louis-des-Invalides. She was the first woman honored this way. She posthumously received the Legion of Honor.
The French Post Office issued a stamp in 1972. It featured Hélène Boucher and Maryse Hilsz. Many public facilities bear her name. A statue of Hélène Boucher was inaugurated in Voisins-le-Bretonneux in 2014. She is buried in Yermenonville. A monument there honors Hélène Boucher.