Brigitte Macron and Vanessa Paradis led mourners today as France’s fashion set arrived in Paris to pay tribute to Jane Birkin’s ‘elegance and beauty’.
The First Lady was joined by the singer’s surviving daughters Charlotte Gainsbourg, 51, and Lou Dylon, 40, who cut grim figures to attend the funeral.
Charlotte’s children – and Jane’s grandchildren – Alice and Ben Attal were emotional as they walked into Paris’s Saint-Roch church, while Jane’s songs blasted through speakers in the streets of the French capital.
Jane died after a long battle with cancer. He was 76.
Etienne Dahoe paid tribute to the singer, noting how she will now be reunited with ex-boyfriend Serge Gainsbourg, her late daughter Kate Barry and her ‘parents, friends and dog’.
Mr Dahoe added that many wanted to be the singer, who also gained fame as the inspiration for the Hermes Birkin bag, and praised her ‘macabre British humour’.
Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, wore all black.
The first lady, who is considered one of France’s finest women, was joined by many French actors, including Johnny Depp’s ex-wife Vanessa Paradis and her husband, French filmmaker Samuel Benchetrit.
French film stars José García, Catherine Deneuve and Sandrine Kiberlain also attended to mourn the star.
Brigitte Macron leads mourners today as France’s fashion set descends on Paris for Jane Birkin’s funeral
The French First Lady was escorted to the service by a security team
Jane Birkin’s daughters Charlotte Gainsbourg, center, and Lou Dillon, center right, arrive to mourn their mother
Charlotte, left, joined the pallbearers as they bid farewell to the fashion icon
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Dylon, daughters of the late singer, actress and muse Jane Birkin, have come to mourn their mother.
Jane’s grandson Ben Attal looked emotional as he made his way to the funeral
Jane’s grandchildren Ben and Alice Attal joined their mother Charlotte Gainsborough and aunt Lou Dolion in mourning their grandmother.
Before going to the service, Lu spoke with a priest
Ms Birkin’s music echoed through the streets of Paris as the fashion set came to mourn the muse.
A crowd formed around the church in Saint-Roch on Monday morning, as a close friend said she was preparing to reunite with loved ones, including ex-boyfriend Serge Gainsbourg.
Singer Etienne Dahoe paid tribute to the Anglo-French showbiz star, who died last Sunday week, saying: ‘My Jane, thank you for your talent.
‘Your elegant and natural beauty, your sharp, macabre and British sense of humour, accompanied our melancholy adolescence. We wanted to be you or Sarge.’
Samuel Benchetrit, left, and his wife Vanessa Paradis arrive at Jane Birkin’s funeral at Saint-Roch church in Paris
French actress Catherine Deneuve was emotional at Jane’s funeral
Algerian actress Maiwene looked stylish in an all black outfit while attending the funeral
Mr Dahoe recalled others who died, including Mr Gainsbourg and Ms Birkin’s eldest daughter, Kate Berry, who fell 80ft from a window in her Paris apartment in 2013.
‘You will find your parents, Kate, Serge, your friends and your dog. And we will miss you terribly,’ said Mr Dahoe.
Marianne Faithful, another English singer who adopted Paris as her home, posted the words: ‘My dear Jane is gone.’
All have heard some of Ms. Birkin’s hits – notably from the 1969 studio album Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg – played from the giant speakers outside the Saint-Roch.
Ms Birkin had fought a ‘fierce battle’ with cancer before her death.
French singers – and brothers – Alain Suchon and Pierre Suchon wore all black for the service
French photographer Tony Franck became emotional on his way to the church
Flowers are seen in front of the Church of Saint-Rocque before the funeral of late singer, actress and muse Jane Birkin in Paris
He described his leukemia – which he was diagnosed with in 1998 – as a ‘not very painful cancer’, but he canceled a serious concert in May when it worsened.
He said at the time: ‘I’ve always been a great optimist, and I understand that I still need some time to be able to be on stage and with you again’.
Ms. Birkin was best known as a former lover of Mr. Gainsbourg, whom she first met while co-starring in the 1969 French satirical romantic comedy.
Ms Birkin was 21 at the time, and had moved to France with her young daughter Kate Barry after a brief marriage to James Bond composer John Barry.
Ms Birkin and Gainsbourg’s sexist song, ‘Je t’aime… moi non plus’ (I love you, nor me) was a global hit, reaching number one in the UK charts.
This was despite it being banned from several stations, as it was considered too risky.
French President Emmanuel Macron described Ms Birkin as ‘a complete artist, her voice as sweet as her convictions. His legacy to us is music and images that will never leave us.’
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