Paris Hosts an Emotional Goodbye for a Cinema Legend
On September 30, 2025, the Saint-Roch church in Paris’s 1st arrondissement became the quiet stage for a deeply moving farewell to Claudia Cardinale, the Italian screen icon who died at 87. The church, a landmark that has welcomed other high-profile farewells, including those of Jane Birkin and Yves Saint Laurent, drew a crowd of friends, colleagues, and public figures paying tribute to a performer whose work helped shape European cinema and whose personal warmth left a lasting imprint on the industry.
The ceremony unfolded in a tone of restraint and reverence, reflecting Cardinale’s lifelong blend of artistry and independence. While the full guest list remains private, early photographs and local reporting revealed a cross-section of French cinema’s most enduring figures alongside notable public servants and diplomats. Attendees included close collaborators and longtime admirers who came to honor the star known for her grace on screen and her steadfast commitments off it.
A Who’s Who of Cinema and Public Life
Among the attendees were a respected actress known for her versatility, a veteran actor accompanied by his wife, and prominent politicians who valued Cardinale’s cultural influence. The Italian ambassador to France was present, underscoring Cardinale’s trans-national resonance. A well-known television host dressed in black joined the procession of mourners, while the ceremony highlighted the familial bond between Cardinale and Paul Belmondo — the son of the late Jean-Paul Belmondo — who travelled to Paris to celebrate a woman who shared a significant chapter of artistry with his father. Cardinale and Belmondo had shared screen credits in notable films such as La Scoumoune, Cartouche, and Le mauvais chemin, moments many attendees recalled with affection. In addition to cinema figures, figures from politics and culture — including a former minister and a celebrated cultural patron — were seen in attendance, reflecting Cardinale’s wide influence across French society.
The Ceremony, the Cremation, and the Foundation’s Call to Action
The religious ceremony began at 14:30 local time and was followed by Cardinale’s cremation in a process described by relatives as intimate and strictly private. In line with the family’s wishes reported by outlets such as Gala, there were no flowers or keepsakes presented at the service. Instead, visitors who wished to honor Cardinale’s memory were encouraged to donate to the Fondazione Claudia Cardinale, a foundation launched in 2023 to support emerging artists and to carry forward Cardinale’s values. The foundation operates in partnership with the Museo Novecento in Florence and the Château-Musée de Nemours, and its work continues to echo Cardinale’s belief in art as a tool for social and cultural renewal.
The religious tribute planned for October 1 in Nemours — the town where Cardinale spent her final years at Le Picardeau — will reflect a return to the actress’s roots and her enduring ties to the community that sheltered her later life. The Picardeau’s transformation into a cultural and artistic hub, housing the Fondazione Claudia Cardinale, embodies Cardinale’s lifelong commitment to nurturing talent. The foundation’s mission is explicit: renew the imagination around contemporary issues through art, with a focus on supporting young creators, a reflection of Cardinale’s own activism in women’s rights and environmental advocacy.
Claudia Cardinale’s Enduring Legacy
Cardinale’s filmography remains a touchstone for international cinema, with iconic performances in The Leopard, Once Upon a Time in the West, Cartouche, and All Roads Lead to Rome. Yet colleagues and friends emphasize that her influence extended far beyond her on-screen presence. As her representative Laurent Savry noted, she leaves behind “the heritage of a free and inspired woman,” a sentiment echoed by those who worked with her and by the countless fans who felt touched by her warmth and courage. The two ceremonies — a public memorial in Paris and a private religious observance in Nemours — collectively honor a life defined by artistry, generosity, and an unyielding commitment to the people and causes she cared about.
A Lasting Impression
Claudia Cardinale departed this world with her family close by, leaving a cinematic legacy that will endure as a blueprint for aspiring actors and a beacon for cultural philanthropy. Her memory will be kept alive through performances, retrospectives, and the ongoing work of the Fondazione Claudia Cardinale, which continues to empower a new generation of artists while embodying the values she championed throughout her career.
