7 Of The Most Iconic French Leading Ladies: Bardot, Seydoux, And More

These fashionable French ladies have claimed the spotlight in France and around the world. Introducing the leading ladies who have caught our hearts

There's something so tantalising about the French, that certain je ne sais quoi that has charmed the world for decades now. Though we're not certain what exactly that star quality is, these irrepressible ladies certainly have it. Having been leading ladies in their own land, this bevvy of women have continued to capture the hearts and minds of those abroad, until today.

1. Brigitte Bardot

Above French actress Brigitte Bardot, sitting at a folding table, wearing a man's shirt, circa 1965. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

French actress Brigitte Bardot, sitting at a folding table, wearing a man's shirt, circa 1965. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

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Blonde, sensuous, and downright beautiful—Brigitte Bardot is a film actress best known for her fantastic filmography in the mid-20th century. You may have seen her in And God Created Woman or A Very Private Affair. In her time, she broke many conservative taboos and was considered a sex symbol. Despite her hedonistic onscreen portrayals, Bardot is also a known well-animal activist, having founded Foundation Brigitte Bardot.

2. Marion Cotillard

Above French actress Marion Cotillard attends the Chanel Metiers D'Art 2018/19 Show at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

French actress Marion Cotillard attends the Chanel Metiers D'Art 2018/19 Show at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on December 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Marion Cotillard wears many hats, among which are environmentalist, researcher, and muse of maison Dior. The sweet-faced actress got her Hollywood debut in Tim Burton's Big Fish, though she is more commonly recognised as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. But the mother of two isn't simply an award-winning actress, she's also a spokesperson for Greenpeace and has travelled to Antartica to research on climate change. Just last year, she also became the face of Chanel No. 5, perhaps one of the most famous fragrances in the world!

3. Catherine Deneuve

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Above Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

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Catherine Deneuve was one of the most in-demand actresses of her time. Though she was known globally, most of her films were made in France. Her most famous works include Belle du Jour, The Umbrellas, and La Sirène du Mississippi. Though most of these films were made between the 60's and the 80's, Deneuve still has an impressive filmography in the 2010's that include The Midwife, The Truth, and Potiche.

4. Juliette Binoche

Above Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

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As one of the highest-paid actresses in France, Juliette Binoche enjoys much prestige. She's famously turned down four marriage proposals and has won both an Academy Award and a BAFTA for Best Actress. Catch her in both Hollywood and French films such as Un beau soleil intérieur, Elles, and of course the film adaptation of the book The Unbearable Lightness of Being.

5. Audrey Tautou

Above PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 28: Audrey Tautou wearing Balmain black blazer and white frill blouse outside the Balmain show during the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter on February 28, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 28: Audrey Tautou wearing Balmain black blazer and white frill blouse outside the Balmain show during the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter on February 28, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)

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Audrey Tautou's career began with small roles in French TV movies back in the 1990's. Since then, the actress has only become more successful. Her breakthrough role is widely recognised as Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain. Though she's starred in Hollywood films such as Coco Before Chanel, playing the eponymous designer herself, Tautou admits to feeling more at home in Europe than she does in America. "I haven't refused America," she'd once told Independent. "I just feel very French."

6. Charlotte Gainsbourg

Above CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Charlotte Gainsbourg attends the Kering and Cannes Film Festival Official Dinner at Place de la Castre on May 19, 2019 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Anthony Ghnassia/Getty Images for Kering)

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Charlotte Gainsbourg attends the Kering and Cannes Film Festival Official Dinner at Place de la Castre on May 19, 2019 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Anthony Ghnassia/Getty Images for Kering)

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Charlotte Gainsbourg is a French-British artist who's both acted in films and released albums of music. Multi-talented as she is, Gainsbourg is not without her fair share of controversy, some of which comes from her choice of artistic expression. She starred in the provocative 2009 movie Antichrist and was also put under fire for the duet she sang with her father, Serge Gainsbourg, where they performed a song entitled Lemon Incest. Nevertheless, the artist perseveres. She is set to head the 47th Deauville American film festival.

7. Léa Seydoux

Above HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) LÃ©a Seydoux attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) LÃ©a Seydoux attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

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Léa Seydoux has portrayed many glamorous characters over the years. She's been a Bond girl and has starred in movies directed by legendary directors including Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson, and Woody Allen. Though her beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair help, her innate charm is definitely what takes the cake.