A mass in homage to Brigitte Bardot will be celebrated in Nice, this Wednesday, January 7, at the Saint-Pierre-d’Arène church. The ceremony will take place at 4 p.m., on the same day as the former actress’s funeral in Saint-Tropez. The initiative brings together several associations committed to animal protection and is part of numerous tributes paid since the announcement of her death.
Since December 28, 2025, the French Riviera is in mourning. Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91. The passing of this figure associated with the region has sparked a series of public reactions. Tributes have multiplied in the media, on social networks, and within the associative world.
A mass in homage will be celebrated in Nice, Wednesday, January 7. The ceremony will be held at the Saint-Pierre-d’Arène church, at 4 p.m.. The date coincides with the funeral organized in Saint-Tropez. This initiative is supported by several representatives of associations working for the animal cause.
The mass will be celebrated by the artists’ chaplain, Yves-Marie Lequin. The event is supported by the Paca Animal Protection Federation, ARPA (Alliance for Respect and Protection of Animals), AJPLA (Justice for Animals Association), and ADA (Animal Defense Association). These organizations have long been engaged in defending animal rights, a cause closely associated with Brigitte Bardot’s life.
An announcement relayed on social networks
The announcement of this ceremony in Nice was made public on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Henry-Jean Servat spoke on the social network X. The journalist wrote: “after Saint-Tropez, with all the animal defense organizations, we are holding a solemn mass for Brigitte Bardot.” The message specified that the mass would be “celebrated by Father Lequin, the artists’ chaplain.”
Henry-Jean Servat also noted: “all animal friends are invited with their four-legged companions.” This invitation directly references Brigitte Bardot’s commitment to animal protection. The journalist and writer is currently paying tribute to Brigitte Bardot in an exhibition titled: Brigitte, Mylène & Michèle – The Sweethearts of the French Riviera at the Port Lympia cultural space.
In Le Parisien, Henry-Jean Servat reflected on the relationship with Brigitte Bardot. The reported comments mention a meeting in 1987. This meeting took place during an interview for Paris Match: “from the start, we got along wonderfully. We were both madly in love with animals. I was crazy about her, and we became very close.” These words highlight a closeness founded on shared beliefs.
Other memories were shared, notably stays at La Madrague. Shared travels are also mentioned: “I stayed at her place in La Madrague. I traveled with her, we had very intense moments together.”
Henry-Jean Servat added: “she had her whims, she had her passions, she was committed and often got carried away. But always for a good cause […] her rants against politicians were never mean, before summarizing her journey, Brigitte was a whole and combative woman.”
Funeral in Saint-Tropez
Brigitte Bardot will be buried in Saint-Tropez, in accordance with her last wishes. The religious ceremony will take place at the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church. The burial will occur at the commune’s marine cemetery. The selected date is Wednesday, January 7.
The mass organized in Nice runs parallel to the ceremony in Saint-Tropez. The approach aims to offer a moment of contemplation for those unable to travel to Saint-Tropez. The choice of Nice reinforces the connection between Brigitte Bardot and the French Riviera.
The announced presence of animal defense associations marks the focus of this tribute. The animal cause remains inseparable from Brigitte Bardot’s public image. The mass on January 7 fits into this continuity, between personal memory and collective commitment.
