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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Screen & Stage • Actor

France Castel

France Castel is a Quebec singer, actress, and broadcaster from Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

France Castel is a Quebec singer, actress, and broadcaster born in Sherbrooke. Her career spans music, film, radio, and television.

What it is

France Castel is a Canadian performer best known in Quebec for her work across music, film, television, and radio. She began as a singer in the 1960s and later expanded into acting and broadcasting. Her birth name is Francine Bégin, and most sources list her birth date as August 31, 1944, though some cite 1943.

Key details

Castel's film credits include *Karmina*, *Crème glacée, chocolat et autres consolations*, *Les Jeunes Loups*, and *Les Plouffe*. She is a major figure in Quebec popular music. Radio-Canada reports she was married at 16 and later had three children. She is currently in a long-term relationship with Chawky Bichara.

Why it matters

France Castel is a notable Quebec and Canadian entertainment figure whose career reflects the French-language cultural scene in Canada. Her longevity and versatility in music, film, radio, and television make her a recognized name in Quebec popular culture.

In short

  • Quebec multi-talented performer
  • Born Francine Bégin, birth year 1944/1943
  • Career in music, film, TV, radio
  • Long-term relationship with Chawky Bichara
Canadian angle

France Castel is a notable Quebec and Canadian entertainment figure whose career spans French-language music, film, radio, and television in Canada.

Quick questions

Who is France Castel?
France Castel is a Canadian singer, actress, and broadcaster from Quebec, known for work in music, film, radio, and television.
How old is France Castel?
Using the most common birth date of August 31, 1944, she is 81 in 2026. Some sources list 1943 instead.
What is France Castel's real name?
Her birth name is Francine Bégin.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_Castel
    Supports: Birth name Francine Bégin; born August 31, 1944 in Sherbrooke; Canadian singer, actress, broadcaster.
  2. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_Castel
    Supports: Describes her as a Quebec singer, actress, radio and television host; birth name Francine Bégin.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0144583/
    Supports: Lists alternate birth year 1943 and film credits including Crème glacée, chocolat et autres consolations, Karmina, and Les Jeunes Loups.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/person/france-castel/umc.cpc.4r5zzt4w4dsruqdg0ivrvn2nq
    Supports: States she was born Francine Begin in Sherbrooke and started as a singer in the early 1970s.
  5. Festival CINEMANIA — https://festivalcinemania.com/en/persons/france-castel-2
    Supports: Summarizes her career as singer, actress, and host; mentions around forty films and several named film and TV appearances.
  6. Radio-Canada — https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/les-grands-entretiens/segments/entrevue/10255/france-castel-franco-nuovo-portrait
    Supports: Discusses her marriages, long-term relationship with Chawky Bichara, and personal life details.