On April 17, 2026, France lost one of its greatest actresses, Nathalie Baye. At 77 years old, the artist passed away after a battle with Lewy body disease, a neurodegeneartive condition. The actress’ funeral took place on Friday, April 24 at the Saint-Sulpice church in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, which also hosted Johnny Hallyday’s burial in December 2017. The ceremony was described as “simple,” reflecting the style of the late star, followed by a private burial as requested by her family.
Catherine Deneuve, Valérie Lemercier, David Hallyday, and Brigitte Macron were among the notable figures who gathered at Nathalie Baye’s funeral service which began at 10 am on that Friday. Many iconic French cinema figures attended, including Fanny Ardant, Richard Berry, Jack Lang, François Ozon, and the First Lady Brigitte Macron, showing their respect for the late actress. Laura Smet delivered a touching speech in honor of her mother during the ceremony, praising her for her dedication and protection until the end.
Valérie Lemercier, a close friend of Nathalie Baye, paid a special tribute to the actress through music during the funeral service. Instead of using words, she chose to showcase her feelings through a musical performance. Valérie Lemercier performed the song “Mon amie la rose,” a poignant gesture that was well-received by the attendees and noted for its significance. Jacques Weber mentioned in an interview that Valérie Lemercier’s performance was requested by Laura Smet to honor her mother’s memory with a song that Nathalie Baye loved.
