Brigitte Bardot laid to rest after final tribute in Saint-Tropez

Dozens of celebrities and scores of fans of Brigitte Bardot have gathered in Saint-Tropez for a final tribute to the French iconic actress and singer ahead of her burial on Wednesday afternoon.

The mass for "BB", who died on 28 December at the age of 91, began at 11am in the small Mediterranean port that, much to her chagrin, catapulted her to the forefront of the international jet set.

The ceremony was reserved for guests of the family and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, who were transported by shuttle bus to a vast area off-limits to the public.

The foundation announced a "no fuss" ceremony, in the image of BB, who retired from cinema at the height of her fame in 1973 to lead the life of a "farmer" in the service of animals. She will then be buried in the Saint-Tropez marine cemetery, where her parents, are buried along with her ex-husband Roger Vadim and French 'chanson' singer Pierre Bachelet and famous music producer Eddie Barclay.

Although no guest list has been released, whale conservationist Paul Watson was spotted coming from Paris. The star's son, Nicolas Charrier, will be there with his family, along with a host of celebrities including Michel Drucker, Mireille Mathieu, Chantal Ladesou, Jean-Luc Reichmann and Paul Belmondo.

From a political perspective, Bardot's legacy divides as a result of her numerous convictions for inciting racial hatred. The government will be represented by Aurore Bergé, Minister Delegate for Equality between Women and Men. Marine Le Pen and Nicolas Dupont-Aignan have each announced that they will be attending on a "friendly" basis.

Hundreds of people gathered to watch the funeral live on a giant screen. The town's alarm sirens sounded as a final tribute.

The woven wicker coffin, the colour of driftwood and adorned with country flowers, arrived at the church at 11.15am. Photos of Brigitte Bardot were placed on either side of the altar, and the parish priest of Saint-Tropez, Jean-Paul Gouarin, who officiated at the mass, asked the congregation to switch off their phones and not to take any pictures.

The music from the film Le Mépris, by Georges Delerue, was played in the church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption. The film by Jean-Luc Godard, released in 1963, is widely considered to be one of her best starring roles. A number of songs were also sung throughout the ceremony: Mireille Mathieu sang Panis Angelicus, a cappella, followed by Vincent Niclo with Ave Maria.

Max Guazzini, Secretary General of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, paid a vibrant tribute to "Brigitte, this woman of all fights". She is with her animals, she is happy (...), Brigitte spoke from the heart," he continued. "We all dreamt of her. She was a beauty with character."

The coffin left Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church at 12.40pm with the song Toutes les bêtes sont à aimer (All animals are to be loved) playing in the background.