Gigi, the female protagonist of Colette's novella Gigi (1944), is full of character. Independent and mischievous, and a little tomboyish, she leaves a lasting impression on the reader. I am wondering if she was based on a real person in Colette's life?
Colette grew up in Burgundy and seems to have lived in Paris and known the city pretty well by the time Gigi came out. I am not sure Gigi would have been considered a typical Parisian girl at that time, but she certainly comes off as an interesting character to the modern reader.