The final farewell to French cinema legend and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot took place on Wednesday in the coastal town of Saint-Tropez. The ceremony blended private family moments with public tributes for the global icon who passed away at the age of 91 on December 28 at her southern France home.
A Private Farewell at the Church
The core funeral service was a private affair held at the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Catholic Church in Saint-Tropez. It commenced at 11 a.m., as confirmed by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for the protection of animals. Attendance was restricted to guests personally invited by Bardot's family and her foundation.
However, local authorities ensured fans could participate by arranging a live broadcast of the ceremony. Large screens were installed at the town's port and two key plazas, allowing residents and admirers from around the world to witness the proceedings.
Saint-Tropez Pays Homage to Its 'Dazzling Ambassador'
Following the church service, Bardot was laid to rest in what was described as "the strictest privacy" at the marine cemetery overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This cemetery, where her parents and her first husband, filmmaker Roger Vadim, are also interred, offers a serene final view she cherished.
The town hall of Saint-Tropez released a statement last week, declaring, "Brigitte Bardot will forever be associated with Saint-Tropez, of which she was the most dazzling ambassador." They added that through her "presence, personality and aura, she marked the history of our town." Saint-Tropez served as her refuge for over half a century after she shockingly retired from filmmaking at the peak of her fame in 1973, aged just 39.
From Screen Siren to Controversial Activist
Bardot's life was a story of two powerful acts. Her first act made her a defining screen siren of the 1960s and one of the world's most photographed women. Her role in "And God Created Woman", directed by Vadim, catapulted her to international stardom and symbolised France's postwar liberation and sensuality.
Her second act began after she left cinema. She emerged as a highly visible and often controversial animal rights activist, founding and tirelessly supporting her foundation. While celebrated for her animal welfare work, her later-year associations with far-right political figures also drew significant criticism and debate.
The planned public homage at a nearby site allowed countless admirers to celebrate the enduring legacy of the woman known simply as 'BB'—a legacy that forever intertwines cinematic history, passionate activism, and the glamour of the French Riviera.
