Villefranche-sur-Mer Pays Tribute to an Icon: Brigitte Bardot Honoured at the 2026 Combat Naval Fleuri

Villefranche-sur-Mer brings together tradition, memory and Mediterranean identity by dedicating the 2026 Combat Naval Fleuri to Brigitte Bardot, the iconic figure of French cinema and an enduring symbol of the French Riviera. The tribute takes shape in a special edition of the event’s official poster, recently unveiled by the local authorities.

The decision comes as a deeply symbolic gesture following the passing of the actress who, more than anyone else, embodied the free-spirited, sun-drenched and Mediterranean image of the Riviera around the world. The unveiling of the new poster thus becomes not only a promotional moment, but a true act of cultural remembrance.

A poster that tells the story of the Riviera

The 2026 poster is far more than an event announcement: it is a tribute to a woman who helped shape the international myth of the French Riviera through cinema, elegance, glamour and civic engagement. The dedication to Brigitte Bardot strengthens the bond between the Combat Naval Fleuri and the region’s cultural history, highlighting the event’s symbolic value beyond its spectacular dimension.

Since its earliest days, the Combat Naval Fleuri has been intertwined with emblematic figures and key moments in local history, gradually building an identity that goes well beyond folklore.

A great celebration on the sea

Scheduled for Monday, 16 February 2026, the Combat Naval Fleuri is one of the most eagerly awaited winter events on the French Riviera. Founded in 1902, it is among the region’s oldest and most evocative traditions. Every year, thousands of spectators gather along the quays of the Port de la Santé to witness the famous floral battle on the water.

The undisputed stars of the event are the pointus, traditional Mediterranean fishing boats, which parade lavishly decorated with thousands of mimosa blossoms and carnations. In a ritual repeated for more than a century, flowers are tossed towards the crowd, turning the harbour into a vibrant explosion of colour, fragrance and joy.

Popular tradition and Mediterranean soul

The 2026 edition will also feature folk entertainment, carnival-style parades and events spread throughout the town, all free of charge, reaffirming the popular and inclusive spirit of the celebration.

With its tribute to Brigitte Bardot, the 2026 Combat Naval Fleuri opens under the sign of memory and identity — a bridge between past and present that celebrates the sea, flowers and Mediterranean soul of Villefranche-sur-Mer, and reaffirms the enduring appeal of one of the French Riviera’s most poetic traditions.