Catherine Deneuve is one of the great icons of French cinema, whose career spans over six decades. Revered in the 1960s, she quickly made a name for herself thanks to her elegance and unique presence, becoming the muse of several illustrious directors such as Luis Buñuel, François Truffaut, and André Téchiné. She had a decisive turning point with great classics like “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” and “Belle de jour,” which established her on the international stage.
In 1966, she starred in “The Young Girls of Rochefort” directed by Jacques Demy, alongside her sister Françoise Dorléac. A musical and choreographic film that left its mark on the history of cinema as well as her own journey, given the evident complicity between the two actresses. But it would be one of the last roles of Françoise Dorléac, who passed away the following year at the age of 25 in a car accident…
How did Catherine Deneuve experience filming “The Young Girls of Rochefort” with her sister Françoise Dorléac?
Catherine Deneuve holds fond memories of her younger sister. Invited on “Les Rencontres du papotin,” broadcast on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 8:30 pm on France 2, an excerpt of which was revealed on Instagram, the 82-year-old actress candidly shared her experience during the filming of “The Young Girls of Rochefort” alongside Françoise Dorléac.
“It was wonderful. It was the first time I truly filmed with her,” she confessed. “It was also a musical. And she, who danced a lot, who had done a lot of dance… When she was a young actress, she even danced with the great dancer, Gene Kelly. I was very happy to share those months with her at that time, since I lost her the following year.”
Catherine Deneuve’s revelations about her younger sister deeply move the audience
These rare revelations by Catherine Deneuve about her relationship with her sister Françoise Dorléac seem to have touched many internet users. Several of them have reacted online: “There is a great emotion in her voice, this film remains one of my favorites, they are so close,” “What courage our lovely Catherine to experience such a painful loss, very touching,” “Wonderful Catherine,” “What a tragedy… Francoise was magnificent,” “Very moved my queen,” read among the comments. Beyond the myth and exceptional career of Catherine Deneuve, this testimony recalls the deeply human side of an actress who still carries the indelible memory of her sister and this legendary film today.
