Noir Désir was a French rock band from Bordeaux. They were active during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, and have had two albums certified double platinum in France and three certified gold. They have been an influence on numerous French musicians including Cali, Louise Attaque and Miossec. While active, the band consisted of Bertrand Cantat, Serge Teyssot-Gay (guitar), Jean-Paul Roy and Denis Barthe (drums).

Bertrand Lucien Bruno Cantat is a French songwriter, singer, and musician known for being the former frontman of the rock band Noir Désir. He is also a convicted murderer. In 2003, he was proven guilty without a doubt and convicted of the murder of French actress Marie Trintignant, which occurred in a hotel room in Vilnius. To some controversy, Cantat returned to Noir Désir after his release from prison in 2007, playing with the group until it disbanded in 2010. He subsequently formed a musical duo with Pascal Humbert, calling themselves Détroit.