Bardot to be buried by the sea in Saint-Tropez

Political divisions and global acclaim frame the legacy of France's most iconic actor and activist

SAINT-TROPEZ, FRANCE:

French cinema icon Brigitte Bardot, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 91, will be buried in a cemetery by the sea in Saint-Tropez, following a funeral ceremony on January 7 at Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church. The burial will remain private, local authorities confirmed, while a public tribute will take place in the Pré des Pêcheurs area of the town's historic La Ponche quarter.

Bardot, famed for her breakthrough role in the 1956 film 'And God Created Woman', appeared in around 50 films before retiring from cinema in 1973 to devote herself to animal welfare. She spent much of her later life at her Saint-Tropez home, surrounded by cats, dogs, and horses. Residents recall her frequent walks on the beach with her pets and her generosity toward friends and locals.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed Bardot as a "legend" who "embodied a life of freedom," while far-right figures including Marine le Pen praised her as "incredibly French: free, untameable, whole." Conservative politician Eric Ciotti suggested a national farewell similar to that held for rock star Johnny Hallyday, launching a petition that quickly drew thousands of signatures.

Left-wing politicians offered more measured responses.

Socialist leader Olivier Faure acknowledged Bardot as "an iconic actor of the New Wave" but noted her controversial political statements and multiple convictions for incitement to racial hatred.

Communist party leader Fabien Roussel emphasised her contribution to French cinema, while Greens lawmaker Sandrine Rousseau criticised what she saw as a contrast between Bardot's animal advocacy and indifference toward human suffering.

International media remembered Bardot as both a symbol of French sensuality and a fiercely independent activist. While some highlighted her legacy as a cinema icon, others noted her later life as a passionate, if polarising, defender of animal rights.

Despite political divisions, residents of Saint-Tropez recalled Bardot with affection. Philippe Volmier, who knew her for three decades, remembered her as "lovely, lovely" and recounted how she would walk her dogs along the beach, sometimes in mishaps that required his help.

For many locals, Bardot remained a familiar presence, blending celebrity glamour with a genuine devotion to her adopted hometown and the animals she loved.

Bardot had expressed a desire to be buried in her garden to avoid crowds, though local authorities said this was not permitted. She leaves behind one son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier, and a worldwide legacy that spans film, fashion, and animal advocacy.