French actor Alain Delon, who passed away at 88 after a prolonged illness, is likely to be buried near the private estate where his beloved dogs are also laid to test.
According to reports from French media, including France Info, Delon, who died on the is expected to be buried on his private estate in the Douché region of central France, where he spent his final days.
Before his health deteriorated, Delon had publicly expressed his desire to be buried in the chapel on his Douché estate, where he first settled in 1971 with actress Mireille Darc.
Although Delon briefly moved to Switzerland in the 1980s, he returned to Douché after meeting Dutch model Rosalie van Breemen in 1987.
Delon left a will expressing his wish to be buried alongside his dogs. Over the years, he had buried dozens of them around the chapel on his estate.
In France, private burials are allowed only under specific conditions: the burial site must be located outside urban areas and at least 35 meters (115 feet) from residential properties. Additionally, an expert hydrologist must verify that the burial will not risk contaminating groundwater.
Approval from the local mayor is also required. Alain Delon sought this approval during his lifetime, and the mayor reportedly granted a “principled agreement.”
As a result, the final details of Delon’s funeral arrangements and schedule are expected to be confirmed soon.
Delon gained fame in 1960 as a poor, ambitious young man in René Clément’s film Purple Noon. This performance brought him international acclaim and the moniker “The Handsome Man of the Century.”
Since the 1990s, however, Delon has made only rare screen appearances. Following a stroke in 2019, he has been living in rehabilitation.
