Tribute to Belmondo: these fans who come from afar to "thank him one last time"

Océane Théard, edited by Gauthier Delomez 08:23, September 09, 2021

TESTIMONY

For many French people, it is as if a member of the family is gone.

Thousands will be thronging Thursday around the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris to pay a last tribute to actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, popular icon of French cinema, who died Monday at the age of 88.

In total, 1,000 people will be able to attend the national tribute, in the corridors of the monument, from 4.30 p.m.

The others will be able to follow him outside thanks to two giant screens.

Among all these admirers of the actor, some did not hesitate to take the road to say a last goodbye to their hero.

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"We will never forget it"

This is the case of Laurent, an early fan of "Bébel" who came from Picardy to pay tribute to an actor who accompanied him all his life. "For me, it is important to be present, not far from him, to thank him one last time", confides Laurent at the microphone of Europe 1. "We will never forget him, we are with him. For me. , it is a duty in relation to the happiness he has given us ", he explains.

This enthusiast keeps precious memories of his meetings with the actor.

"When I went to see him to take pictures, sign pictures, we shook hands and he was very nice. He was always accessible. He always said to me 'to Laurent, my faithful admirer', 'to Laurent and his family '", remembers the fan, not without emotion.

"You could tell in his words that he remembered me, that he knew that I was a fan and that I always followed him."

"It's like saying goodbye to someone in the family"

Jean-Paul Belmondo's aura also crosses the country's borders. Fabien arrived from Belgium the day before the ceremony. He traveled more than 250 km from Mons to bid farewell to the movie star. "Jean-Paul Belmondo was and still is a superhero. For me, it's a bit of a tribute to everything he has given us. I had to be present," he confesses .

The Belgian admirer is already imagining the national tribute that will be paid to the actor at the Invalides.

"There will be the crowd. There will be a lot of emotion and obviously nostalgia to see someone who has finally been part of our family for a very long time. For me, he is installed in the house. We watched the movies as a family. It's like saying goodbye to someone in the family, "he says on Europe 1.

All the admirers of Jean-Paul Belmondo will be able to gather in front of the coffin of the actor which will be accessible to the general public from 7:30 pm, in the courtyard of the Invalides.