Brigitte Macron and Vanessa Paradis lead the mourners today as France’s fashion set have arrived in Paris for the funeral of Jane Birkin.
Both of the French-British singers surviving daughters Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon, as well as her grandchildren Alice and Ben Attal cut sombre figures to pay tribute to the actress, who died at her home in Paris last week following a long battle against cancer.
The 76-year-old star of cult films including Blow-Up was ‘found dead by a caregiver’ in the French capital this morning, said a family friend.
Dressed appropriately in all black was Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The first lady, who is considered one of the chicest women in France, was joined by many French actors, including Jose Garcia, Catherine Deneuve and Sandrine Kiberlain.
Samuel Benchetrit, left, and Vanessa Paradis arrive to Jane Birkin’s funerals ceremony at the Saint-Roch church in Paris
Brigitte Macron lead the mourners today as France’s fashion set have arrived in Paris for the funeral of Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin’s daughters Charlotte Gainsbourg, centre, and Lou Dillon, center right, arrive to mourn their mother
Charlotte, left, joined pallbearers as they said goodbye to the fashion icon
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon, the daughters of late singer, actress and muse Jane Birkin arrive to mourn their mother
Jane’s grandon Ben Attal looked emotional as he headed into the funeral
Ben and Alice Attal, Jane’s grandchildren, joined their mother Charlotte Gainsborough and aunt Lou Doullion to mourn their grandmother
Flowers are seen in front of the Church of Saint-Roch before the funeral of late singer, actress and muse Jane Birkin in Paris
Ms Birkin’s music echoed around the streets of Paris today as the London-born singer and actress’s family and friends attended her funeral.
A crowd built up around the church of Saint-Roch on Monday morning, as a close friend said she was preparing to re-join loved-ones including former boyfriend Serge Gainsbourg.
Recalling the Anglo-French showbusiness star who died last Sunday week, singer Etienne Daho said: ‘My Jane, thank you for your talent.
‘Your elegant and natural beauty, your pungent, macabre, and British humour, accompanied our gloomy adolescence. We wanted to be you, or Serge.’
Lou chatted to a priest before heading into the service
French actress Catherine Deneuve looked emotional as she arrived at the funeral of Jane
Algerian actress Maiwenn looked stylish in all black as she attended the funeral
Mr Daho recalled others who had died, including Mr Gainsbourg and Ms Birkin’s eldest daughter, Kate Berry.
Mr Daho said: ‘You will find your parents, Kate, Serge, your friends and your dogs. And we will miss you terribly.’
Those invited to the Saint-Roch funeral included film star Catherine Deneuve and singer Vanessa Paradis.
Marianne Faithfull, another English singer who adopted Paris as her home, posted the words: ‘My dearest Jane is gone.’
Ms Birkin’s family members at the funeral included her surviving daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg, 51, and Lou Doillon, 40.
French singers – and brothers – Alain Souchon and Pierre Souchon wore all black for the service
French photographer Tony Frank looked emotional as he headed to the church
All listened to some of Ms Birkin’s hit songs – notably from the 1969 studio album Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg – which were played from giant speakers outside Saint-Roch.
Ms Birkin had fought a ‘fierce battle’ against cancer before her death.
She had described her leukaemia – which she was diagnosed with in 1998 – as a ‘not very painful cancer,’ but in May she cancelled a serious of concerts when it got worse.
She said at the time: ‘I have always been a great optimist, and I realise that I still need a little time to be able again on stage and with you’.
Ms Birkin was best known as the former lover of Mr Gainsbourg, whom she first met in 1969 while co-starring in the French satirical romantic comedy
Ms Birkin was 21 at the time, and had moved to France with her toddler daughter, Kate Barry, after a brief marriage to the James Bond composer, John Barry.
Ms Birkin and Gainsbourg’s sexually explicit song, ‘Je t’aime… moi non plus’ (I love you, nor me) was a worldwide hit, reaching Number One in the UK Charts.
This was despite it being banned from a number of stations, because it was considered too risqué.
French President Emmanuel Macron described Ms Birkin as ‘A complete artist, her voice was as sweet as her convictions were ardent. Her legacy to us is songs and images that that will not leave us.’
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