Nice, 4 PM. This Wednesday, January 7, the Saint Pierre d’Arènes church hosted a memorial Mass for Brigitte Bardot. A few faithful, admirers, and anonymous individuals gathered in an atmosphere of contemplation to pay tribute to an emblematic figure of French cinema, whose commitment was felt far beyond the big screen.
Inside the building, the dim light accompanied a silent assembly. Some flowers placed near the altar and gazes turned toward the choir created a contemplative ambiance. In his homily, the priest spoke of “the unique trajectory of a free woman,” recalling both the popular icon and Brigitte Bardot’s personal commitment to the animal cause.
In the front row, several personalities were present, including the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, and the Member of Parliament for Alpes-Maritimes, Éric Ciotti, sitting side by side. Their presence was part of the shared contemplation by all participants.
Testimonies: Commitment and Emotion
Murielle, 65, a retiree, and Jean-Claude, 53, a farmhand, expressed in their own way the impact of Brigitte Bardot on their lives and their outlook on the animal world. Murielle shared her emotion: “I wasn’t in Saint-Tropez, but I was here. There were associations working for animal welfare, and frankly, it was very moving. At one point, we heard the Gipsy Kings, she loved them… excuse me, but I’m going to cry. I don’t regret coming. It was a beautiful tribute, we were among ourselves, my dog was there, other dogs too… it was really nice.”
She emphasizes Brigitte Bardot’s legacy: “She paved many paths for animal protection. There are still things she didn’t have time to finish, so it’s up to us to take up the torch. Animals are part of creation; we must take care of them. This Mass was a must-attend.”
Jean-Claude, a breeder, shares his view on the current situation of animals and Brigitte Bardot’s action: “The situation of animals today is alarming: we kill sick cows by the hundreds, without any awareness of life. Mrs. Bardot carried this message throughout her life. She might not have defended breeders, but the animal cause, yes!” He also praised the priest for his homily: “He made connections with the nativity scene, the donkey, and the cow, and explained why they were important. It was very touching.”
And he concludes on Brigitte Bardot’s legacy: “The mark she leaves is already indelible. A woman with the courage to invest herself wholly in a cause that transcends human existence. Brigitte Bardot in a word? Beauty: the beauty of deeds, the beauty of personality, the beauty of a woman, the beauty of life…”
For his part, Yves-Marie Lequin, chaplain for artists and celebrant of the Mass, explained: “What is important is responding to a request. Brigitte Bardot had a significant artistic career, so it is fitting to honor her. It was also an opportunity to recall her faith: she was Christian, proud to be Catholic, with a devotion to the Virgin Mary. This allows friends, those who knew her, and all the associations working for the animal cause to come together. It was a good moment.” At the end of the ceremony, the priest added: “The feedback I received afterward was very positive. People found it to be a beautiful moment of unity, memory, and tribute. The image that will remain of her is that of the animal cause, and of course, the beautiful images she left in cinema. She carried two things: a beautiful artistic career that made France shine and this animal cause for which she was recognized. She was whole, driven by her convictions, and as she used to say: ‘What matters to me is the animal and its place in this world.'”
Applause and Barking
At the end of the celebration, the applause of the assembly mingled with the barking of dogs from outside. A unique scene, symbolic for several participants, as an involuntary wink (or not) to Brigitte Bardot’s commitment to the animal cause.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of La Madrague, an iconic song associated with Brigitte Bardot. The faithful left the church in peace, leaving the image of a simple, intimate, and popular tribute, both respectful and deeply symbolic. Between songs, applause, and barking, Nice paid a final tribute to Brigitte Bardot, a cinema icon and animal defender.
