DOUCHY, LOIRET – Alain Delon was laid to rest in a private ceremony held in the grounds of his estate, amid significant public interest and media presence, APA reports citing The Guardian. The beloved French actor, who passed away last Sunday at the age of 88, had expressed a desire for a quiet, private funeral, attended only by close family and friends. Despite his wishes, crowds of fans, journalists, and television crews gathered outside the gates of La Brûlerie, Delon’s estate located 85 miles southeast of Paris.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, local authorities closed the main road hours before the funeral to manage the throng of mourners and media personnel. Entrance was restricted to VIP guests, who arrived in black luxury SUVs with tinted windows, including notable figures like Culture Minister Rachida Dati, Paul Belmondo, and actor Vincent Lindon, who gave a reading during the ceremony. The identity of many attendees remained a mystery to the assembled journalists as VIPs quickly passed through the wrought iron gates.

The event drew significant attention from the public, with more than 100 people walking from the nearby village of Douchy to pay their respects. Fans placed bouquets at the entrance and signed a condolence book. A wall of flowers adorned the gates, growing throughout the week as locals and fans visited the estate. Despite the heat, which reached 30C, causing some attendees to suffer from sunstroke and dehydration, the commitment to honoring Delon remained strong. The crowd even organized a minute’s silence followed by a rendition of “Paroles Paroles,” a 1973 hit by Dalida and Delon, which was poignantly sung as rain began to fall.