Paris, December 13 – A new footbridge, named after the iconic Franco-British singer and actress Jane Birkin, who passed away in 2023, was officially inaugurated on Saturday in Paris. The emotional ceremony was attended by her daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon, as confirmed by AFP.
An Emotional Tribute by Her Daughters
“The Jane Birkin footbridge, it’s poetic, she would have loved it so much,” said Charlotte Gainsbourg, her voice choked with emotion, in front of the bridge spanning the Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. The structure now proudly bears her mother’s name.
“It could be the bridge that connected her to England and brought her back immediately to France, her adopted country,” Gainsbourg continued, addressing a crowd of about a hundred people. She envisioned Parisians meeting there to “stroll” and enjoy the Parisian atmosphere.
“We’ll tell the taxi driver, ‘the Jane Birkin footbridge, please,'” the actress and singer quipped. “To meet, and flirt and kiss, to kiss on the Jane Birkin footbridge.”
Alongside Lou Doillon and Jane Birkin’s grandson, Roman de Kermadec, Charlotte Gainsbourg then unveiled a plaque at the top of the bridge’s first steps. The inscription reads: “Passerelle Jane Birkin (1946-2023) singer, actress, director.”
A Bridge, Not a Cemetery
“My son asked me this morning if my mother was still dead. So I told him, ‘yes, but today, she becomes a bridge.’ And it’s wonderful to be able to say that,” joked Lou Doillon, who felt that “a place was missing” for her mother. She added, “The tranquility, the silence, and the reverence of the cemetery definitely did not suit her.”
Jane Birkin, who starred in films by Michelangelo Antonioni, Jean-Luc Godard, and James Ivory, now joins eight other actresses, including Arletty, Michèle Morgan, and Maria Schneider, who have had footbridges over the Canal Saint-Martin named after them.
“A small constellation of free women, singular artists,” commented Alexandra Cordebard, the socialist mayor of the 10th arrondissement, who initiated this tribute. Jane Birkin “will resonate here with obviousness among all these personalities,” she stated during the ceremony.
The inauguration marks a poignant moment for Paris, celebrating the enduring legacy of an artist who deeply impacted both French and British culture. The new footbridge not only serves as a practical crossing but also as a symbolic link, embodying Birkin’s unique connection to both her native and adopted countries. The ceremony highlighted the profound affection and respect held for her, not just by her family, but by the city of Paris itself.
This initiative underscores Paris’s tradition of honoring its cultural icons by integrating their memory into the city’s landscape, ensuring their contributions are remembered and celebrated by future generations. The Jane Birkin footbridge is expected to become a new landmark, inviting residents and tourists alike to reflect on her artistic journey and personal charm.
The event concluded with attendees sharing memories and admiring the newly unveiled plaque, a testament to Birkin’s lasting influence on film, music, and fashion. Her spirit, characterized by freedom and singularity, now forever graces the picturesque Canal Saint-Martin.
