Andrée Hoppilliard

Andrée Hoppilliard (27 February 1909 – 19 May 1995) was a French aeronautical engineer at a time when it was unusual for women to enter the profession. While still a student, in 1935 she helped the Gaucher company to launch a new aircraft known as Gaucher RG.40 Week-End. Her own graduation was celebrated on the occasion of its launch. Thereafter, and in the years up to the Second World War, she played a key role in designing and constructing new light aircraft for Gaucher. She is one of the 72 women whose names are planned to be added to the Eiffel Tower.

Early life and education Andrée Henriette Valentine Hoppilliard was born on 27 February 1909 to Cléanthe Henriette Dubois and Lucien Hoppilliard in Château-Thierry in the Aisne department. Her parents were teachers. In January 1921, Hoppillard became a Ward of the Nation, one of the children adopted by the nations who lost a parent due to World War I.

In 1929, Hoppilliard was the leader of the Fédération française des éclaireuses group in the Lycée français de Jeunes Filles de Mayence.

Hoppilliard graduated from the École Polytechnique Féminine (EPF) in 1935. The unveiling of the aircraft was paired with the graduation ceremony of the "Helene Boucher promotion" class, held at the Saint-Cyr airfield. The Gaucher RG.40 Week-End was a light aircraft, seating two side-by-side, painted in blue and silver. The aircraft was christened Tatouka, a Malagassy word, during the ceremony. After the ceremony, Hoppilliard and Mme Paris drove to Yermenonville to place a bouquet of lilies and white carnations which had been on the plane at the Hélène Boucher monument.

Honours Hoppilliard was one of four women from the EPF who were included in the list of 72 women who are to named on the side of the Eiffel Tower. The other three are Marie-Louise Paris, Colette Kreder and Georgette Délibrias. The plan was announced by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo following the recommendations of a committee led by Isabelle Vauglin of Femmes et Sciences and Jean-François Martins, representing the operating company which runs the Eiffel Tower.