Bachelet spent part of his childhood in Calais and developed a lifelong appreciation of the North of France, which later inspired his hit song "Les corons" (1982).

He also composed music for movies, including Emmanuelle (1974),[2] Story of O (1975), Black and White in Color (1976), Coup de tête (1979), Les Bronzés font du ski (1979),[2] the British-made Sex with the Stars (1980), and Gwendoline (1984).

Robert Fripp won an out-of-court settlement over the use of music in Emmanuelle based on King Crimson's "Larks' Tongues in Aspic".

[citation needed] His signature tune, "Les corons", released in 1982, is notably used as the supporters' anthem for the football club RC Lens.

[citation needed] Bachelet wrote, composed and became artistic director for George Chakiris, who would sing songs such as "Mon pays c'est le soleil" (1979) and "La chanson de Bernardo" (1981).

In 2004, he also composed three melodies for Patrizia Grilo including two previously unreleased songs and a cover of her hit "Elle est d'ailleurs" in the Italian version "Di un altro mondo".

The 13-track album was released on Smart label under the title Hommage à Pierre Bachelet: Nous l'avons tant aimé and includes interpretations by artists Quentin Bachelet, Marie Espinosa, Didier Barbelivien, Dave, Gérard Lenorman, Patrick Sébastien, Amaury Vassili, Gilbert Montagné, Philippe Lavil, Enrico Macias and Chico & the Gypsies.

The album also contains two performances from Bachelet: "Les Corons" with Chorale des Mineurs Polonais de Douai and a remasterised version of "Flo" with Florence Arthaud.