Camille, Françoise Hardy, Carla Bruni, Edith Piaf

As I'm sure you've noticed, all the artists in the title are French female singers.
Being a half-French female myself, I love listening to these women pour their hearts out. They sound like they're dying of their crippling emotions whilst simultaneously pouting and maintaining their patronising arrogant air (I can say this as I'm half-French remember).

Camille

Camille is more commonly known as the frontwoman of Nouvelle Vague, the french indie band most famous for their successful cover albums, 'Nouvelle Vague' and 'Bande à Part' (the albums include songs from the Smiths, the Buzzcocks, Echo & the Bunnymen and Joy Division).
Two years before this however she was a solo artist, releasing her debut in 2002. Not my favourite though. 2005 was when my favourite album of hers was released, called 'Le Fil', a concept album that went gold. The reason for this name, which translates as The Thread, is that a quiet drone plays consistently through out - the eccentric Camille says this is 'her note'.
Here is a song from her 2008 release named 'Music Hole' and here is one where she uses her voice in interesting ways (which is also a theme in 'Le Fil').
She's quite unique I think.

The beautiful stylish Françoise Hardy

Hardy rather reminds me of Marianne Faithfull. Two stunning '60s style icons. They're about the same age now, 63 and 66, and still looking amazing.

Embedded is Françoise's short and sweet song 'Mon Amie La Rose':

A younger Carla Bruni

The equally bewitching Carla Bruni, now France's First Lady, is still bloody cool, and attractive. She's had all kinds of relationships, including one with a Prime Minister and a President, and is quoted to have said that she is easily "bored with monogamy". A former model and still a singer-songwriter, she has recently been cast in a Woody Allen film to top it all.
Carla's 'Quelqu'un m'a dit' is her most well-liked husky voiced chanson:

Edith Piaf

This Parisian needs no introduction. I admire her most of all, so much in fact that her song 'Les Mots D'Amour' is one of my Desert Island Discs. It's definitely not one of her most well-known.