The picturesque French Riviera town of Saint-Tropez witnessed an emotional farewell to cinematic legend Brigitte Bardot on Wednesday, as crowds lined the streets to honor the actress who revolutionized 1950s French cinema. Despite Bardot’s explicit instructions for a modest ceremony, admirers gathered in significant numbers to applaud her flower-draped coffin during its procession through the transformed fishing village.
The funeral service at a local church attracted notable figures including far-right politician Marine Le Pen and Equality Minister Aurore Bergé, both sharing Bardot’s passion for animal rights advocacy. The actress was laid to rest at a hillside cemetery overlooking the Mediterranean, joining her parents and first husband Roger Vadim, with her only son Nicolas-Jacques Charrier among the pallbearers.
Bardot’s passing at age 91 on December 28th marked the end of an era for French cinema. Known affectionately as ‘BB’ in her homeland, she appeared in nearly 50 films including the groundbreaking ‘And God Created Woman’ before abruptly retiring from acting in 1973 to dedicate her life to animal welfare through her foundation.
While President Emmanuel Macron eulogized her as ‘a legend of the century,’ Bardot’s later years were marked by controversy surrounding homophobic remarks and multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred, which complicated her legacy and alienated her from mainstream political circles. The ceremony balanced celebration of her artistic achievements with acknowledgment of her complex public persona.