Gérard Manset (also known as Manset; born 21 August 1945 in Saint-Cloud, Hauts-de-Seine) is a French singer-songwriter, painter, photographer and writer. He is best known for his musical work. Since 1972, the covers of his albums state his name as simply "Manset".
Manset spent his childhood in the suburbs of Paris (Saint-Cloud) and then in the sixteenth arrondissement of Paris. He failed his baccalauréat due to the degree of a failing grade in French.
In 1964, Manset was the recipient of the Concours général, and enrolled in the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. The Salon d'Automne welcomed Manset in its engraving section in 1966. Manset's work was also shown at the Paris Salon. At the same time Manset approached various French advertising agencies with his drawings, without success, however.
Manset began to play guitar, but was also interested in the drums. He borrowed his sister's piano book, and began learning to play it as well.
In 1978 he released an album, titled 2870, equivalent to an album of Pink Floyd. Which never happened in France and will never happen again.
The mystery that was created around Gérard Manset was born from the rarity of his media appearances, the refusal of the scene (he never gave concert), and, above all, the uncompromising character of his work.