Les Compagnons de la chanson were originally part of a larger choir formed in 1941 in Lyon under the direction of Louis Liébar.

They became Les Compagnons de la chanson in 1946, and Piaf launched the group in Paris in May 1946 at a concert in Club des Cinq.

[4] Jean Cocteau, who was in attendance at their show, wrote of their performance: "The miracle has happened that these two solitudes joined together to create a sound artefact which so expresses France that the tears start to flow.

[15] They also performed in the operetta Minnie Moustache in 1956 written by group member Jean Broussolle and Georges van Parys.

[15] After the group and Piaf went on their separate ways, they continued to enjoy successes in France and Belgium until the late 1960s when one of the early members Guy Bourguignon died.

[3] The group also toured internationally, including North America multiple times, Africa, Russia, Israel, Japan and other countries.

Marc Herrand left in 1952 to resume his career as a conductor and was replaced by Jean Broussolle (baritone and composer, 1920–1984).

Jean Albert left in 1956 to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Jean-Pierre Calvet (tenor and lyricist, 1925–1989).