The final chapter for one of France's most luminous and controversial stars is set to unfold next week. Brigitte Bardot, the cinematic legend who became a fervent animal rights campaigner, will be laid to rest in Saint-Tropez on 7 January 2026. The town hall confirmed the arrangements, which aim to honour her global fame while respecting her family's privacy.
A Public Farewell on the French Riviera
A ceremony is scheduled at the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Catholic Church in the heart of the glamorous resort. Recognising the immense public interest, the event will be broadcast live on two large screens. One will be positioned at the port, with another in the central Place des Lices, allowing countless admirers to participate in the tribute. The town hall's statement paid homage to Bardot's indelible link to the area, declaring she "will forever be associated with Saint-Tropez, of which she was the most dazzling ambassador."
Following the church service, her burial will be conducted "in the strictest privacy" at the local marine cemetery, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. This secluded site is the final resting place for her parents and her first husband, director Roger Vadim. A public homage for fans is then planned at a separate, nearby location.
From Screen Siren to Divisive Figure
Bardot, who died aged 91 at her Saint-Tropez home, La Madrague, on 28 December 2025, retired from film in 1973 at the age of 39. She then dedicated her life to animal welfare, founding a powerful advocacy foundation. However, her later years were also marked by controversial political and social views. She was a vocal supporter of the far-right Le Pen family and was convicted multiple times by French courts for inciting racial hatred.
In a poignant personal tribute, her younger sister Mijanou shared a childhood photo on Facebook, writing a message that reflected Bardot's lifelong passion for animals. She expressed hope that Bardot now "knows whether our beloved pets are waiting for us on the other side."
A Complex Legacy Remembered
The reactions to her death underscored her complex legacy. Marine Le Pen hailed her as "an incredibly French: free, untamable, whole" figure. Meanwhile, Bardot's final interviews reiterated her divisive stances, including her dismissal of the #MeToo movement and defence of actor Gérard Depardieu. As Saint-Tropez prepares to say goodbye, the world will remember Brigitte Bardot not just as the breathtaking star of And God Created Woman, but as a multifaceted and often contradictory icon of the 20th century.
