Paris bids farewell to a screen icon
Paris, September 30, 2025 — At Saint-Roch church in the 1st arrondissement, a solemn tribute gathered to bid farewell to Claudia Cardinale, the Italian screen legend whose influence stretched across generations of cinema. The ceremony offered a quiet, luminous setting for a life that bridged continents, eras, and genres, and drew a cross-section of French culture and international film society to pay their respects.
Under a clear Parisian afternoon, the church’s pale stone served as a fitting backdrop for a ceremony marked by restraint and reverence. The mood reflected Cardinale’s public persona: generous in spirit, outspoken when needed, and deeply anchored in family and craft. While the full guest list remained private, early images from the event revealed a circle of notable figures from French cinema and beyond who had come to honor the Italian icon whose work shaped generations of spectators.
Notable attendees
Among those seen at the ceremony were Catherine Jacob and Patrick Préjean accompanied by his wife Liliane Trichot; politicians Rachida Dati and Valérie Pécresse; and Emanuela D’Alessandro, the Italian ambassador in France. Nikos Aliagas appeared in a head-to-toe black ensemble, signaling a solemn farewell to an actress who left an indelible mark on European screens. Paul Belmondo, son of Jean-Paul Belmondo, traveled to Paris to honor Cardinale, a figure who had known his father well and shared memorable moments with Cardinale. Other familiar faces included Bernard Montiel, Jack Lang, and Nicolas Bedos, alongside a broader tapestry of colleagues and friends.
A private cremation and family-led remembrance
The religious service began at 14:30 and unfolded with a restrained grace. Following the rites, the cremation was planned as a private family affair, in line with the family’s wishes. In keeping with the couple’s stated preference, no flowers or keepsakes were requested. Instead, attendees were invited to consider a donation to the Fondazione Claudia Cardinale, reflecting the actress’s commitment to supporting culture and the next generation of artists.
A subsequent tribute will be held on October 1 in Nemours, Cardinale’s longtime home city, where she spent the final years with her children. The town’s Le Picardeau, a historic residence now serving as a cultural hub, stands as a symbol of Cardinale’s enduring legacy. The Fondazione Claudia Cardinale, established in 2023 in collaboration with the Museo Novecento in Florence and the Château-Musée de Nemours, aims to nurture emerging artists and foster cultural projects that echo Cardinale’s passions for the arts, women’s rights, and the environment.
Continuing a cinematic and cultural legacy
Claudia Cardinale’s filmography reads like a map of world cinema: Le Guépard, Il était une fois dans l’Ouest, Cartouche, and Tous les chemins mènent à Rome, among others. But she was much more than a collection of roles. Colleagues and friends alike described her as a free and engaged woman who used her fame to advocate for causes she believed in. As her representative Laurent Savry has observed, Cardinale leaves behind a legacy built on personal freedom and artistic integrity—an enduring model for current and future generations of artists.
Gala’s coverage notes the family’s clear stance on how to mark Cardinale’s passing, emphasizing a quiet, respectful remembrance over extravagant displays. The art that Cardinale championed, and the foundation carrying her name, continue to offer pathways for aspiring talents. The memory of this icon will endure in the films she helped to shape, in the causes she supported, and in the ongoing work of the foundation that bears her imprint.
Looking ahead: memory preserved, inspiration renewed
As Paris and Nemours prepare to honor Cardinale’s life in both solemn and celebratory forms, her story remains a beacon for artists and audiences alike. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in cinema, but the chapters that follow will be written by those she inspired—the generations who will carry forward her commitment to artistry, human rights, and environmental stewardship. Claudia Cardinale’s legacy, nourished by her family and the Fondazione, will continue to illuminate screens and stages around the world.
