Fondation Brigitte Bardot
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UnclaimedA French animal-protection foundation founded by Brigitte Bardot, combining animal rescue, shelter operations, legal advocacy, public campaigning and international conservation support.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Fondation Brigitte Bardot is a French animal-protection foundation established in 1986 by actress and activist Brigitte Bardot. It was created after Bardot had spent more than two decades campaigning against practices she regarded as cruel to animals, including painful slaughter methods, seal hunting and the use of animal fur. The foundation developed from her personal activism into an organisation involved in direct rescue, sheltering, veterinary assistance, public education, litigation and support for partner groups. The foundation began in Saint-Tropez and moved its headquarters to Paris in 1988. Bardot helped provide the capital for its launch by auctioning personal possessions and jewellery. In 1991 she donated her Saint-Tropez property, La Madrague, to strengthen the organisation's financial base and support its application for official recognition. On 21 February 1992, the French authorities recognised the foundation as being of public utility, giving it a formal public-interest status and a stronger institutional position in France. Since 1992 it has also published the quarterly newsletter L'Info-journal. Its work covers both domestic and wild animals. In France, the foundation operates and supports shelters, assists animals in distress, finances partner refuges and brings legal actions in cases involving alleged animal cruelty. Its own facilities include La Mare Auzou in Normandy, a large refuge associated with the care and adoption of dogs and cats as well as the long-term accommodation of horses, cattle and other animals. The organisation has also supported sterilisation and management programmes for stray animals and has worked on the rescue of animals affected by neglect, abandonment and poor living conditions. Internationally, the foundation has supported or helped establish facilities and projects for elephants in South Africa, koalas in Australia, dancing bears in Bulgaria and primates in Cameroon. It has contributed to wildlife reintroduction projects in Senegal and to the return of wolves to the Alps. A mobile veterinary clinic was created to assist animals in countries of the former Eastern Bloc. The foundation has also participated in marine-animal campaigns, including work connected with seal hunting, whaling and the protection of cetaceans. Public campaigning is central to the foundation's identity. Its stated priorities include opposition to fur, the killing of horses for human consumption, long-distance transport of livestock, animal experimentation, poaching, animal fighting, captivity of wild animals in circuses, seal hunting and certain forms of hunting. Campaigns have used posters, television advertisements, newsletters, lobbying and legal action. The foundation's interventions have sometimes been deliberately confrontational, particularly when it has challenged established commercial or cultural practices. The organisation's public profile is closely tied to Bardot, whose celebrity gave animal-protection issues substantial visibility in France and abroad. In 1995 the Dalai Lama became an honorary member. Bardot's public statements have also generated controversy independent of the foundation's rescue and advocacy work. A 2006 letter concerning the Eid al-Adha slaughter ritual led to criminal proceedings and a later conviction of Bardot for incitement to racial hatred. In 2019, the French Court of Audit criticised the foundation over governance problems and inadequate transparency toward donors, bringing renewed attention to its internal management and accountability. Despite those criticisms, the foundation remains an active French animal-welfare organisation with shelter, campaigning, litigation and international partnership functions.
History
Brigitte Bardot's animal-protection activism preceded the foundation by more than two decades. In 1962, after seeing photographs depicting the treatment of animals being killed, Bardot began campaigning against painful electric-shock methods in slaughterhouses and adopted vegetarianism. She later raised the issue with French political leaders, including President Charles de Gaulle in 1967. Her efforts contributed to the adoption of requirements concerning stunning animals before slaughter. Bardot became especially prominent as an opponent of seal hunting. In 1977, after being invited by Paul Watson, she travelled to the harp-seal hunting grounds near Blanc-Sablon in Canada. The five-day visit generated extensive media coverage and helped build political support in France. It also contributed to pressure that was followed by restrictions affecting the import of seal products. The Fondation Brigitte Bardot was established in Saint-Tropez in 1986. Bardot funded its creation in part by auctioning personal belongings and jewellery. The organisation moved to Paris in 1988 as its activities expanded. In 1991 Bardot transferred her Saint-Tropez property, La Madrague, to the foundation to increase its capital and support the process of obtaining public-utility recognition. The French Conseil d'État granted that recognition on 21 February 1992. During the following decades, the foundation developed several complementary functions. It created and supported animal shelters, financed rescue work, brought legal actions in animal-cruelty cases, and conducted public campaigns against fur, horse slaughter, wild-animal captivity, livestock transport, experimentation, poaching and animal fighting. It also supported international projects involving elephants, koalas, dancing bears and primates, as well as wildlife reintroduction programmes in Senegal and the Alps. The foundation's international activity included a mobile veterinary clinic serving countries of the former Eastern Bloc. A major French facility associated with the organisation is La Mare Auzou in Normandy's Eure department. The site provides shelter for dogs and cats awaiting adoption and long-term care for other animals, including horses and cattle. In 2009, complaints from local residents about noise created a threat to the facility's continuation. The foundation responded with soundproofing work and reported investment in the project. The organisation also regularly supports independent French refuges. Campaigning has remained a defining feature. In 2005 it launched the fur campaign Fourrure, le look qui tue, followed by continuing anti-fur communications and support for an annual day without fur during the winter-sales period. In 2009 it campaigned against hippophagy under the slogan Le cheval vous l'aimez comment? The campaign generated a dispute with organisers of the Paris Horse Show, where the foundation was not permitted to develop its position. In 2011, a marine patrol vessel co-financed with Sea Shepherd was damaged by a wave; it was repaired and returned to service in 2012, later being shown in Paris after a cetacean-protection campaign. The foundation has also been affected by controversies surrounding Bardot's public statements. A 23 December 2006 letter published in L'Info-journal concerning the Eid al-Adha ritual resulted in proceedings and a fine for incitement to racial hatred. In 2019, the French Court of Audit criticised governance and donor-transparency practices. These events illustrate the tension between the foundation's forceful public advocacy, its close association with Bardot's personality and the accountability expectations placed on a recognised public-utility foundation.
- 2019
Court of Audit governance criticism
[1]The French Court of Audit criticises governance arrangements and donor transparency.
- 2009
La Mare Auzou soundproofing response
[1]Following local complaints about noise at the Normandy refuge, the foundation begins soundproofing work.
- 1995
Dalai Lama becomes honorary member
[1]The Dalai Lama is named an honorary member of the foundation.
- 1992
Recognition as a foundation of public utility
[1]The French Conseil d'État grants the foundation official public-utility recognition on 21 February.
- 1991
La Madrague donated to strengthen foundation capital
[1]Bardot donates her Saint-Tropez property to support the foundation's capitalisation and public-utility application.
- 1988
Headquarters move to Paris
[1]The foundation relocates its headquarters from Saint-Tropez to Paris.
- 1986
Foundation established in Saint-Tropez
[1]Brigitte Bardot creates the Fondation Brigitte Bardot to organise and expand her animal-protection work.
- 1977
Harp-seal campaign in Canada
[1]Bardot visits the seal-hunting grounds with Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, producing major media attention and political support for restrictions on seal products.
- 1967
Bardot raises animal-welfare issues at the Élysée Palace
[1]Bardot meets President Charles de Gaulle and continues pressing for stronger protections in slaughter practices.
- 1962
Bardot begins animal-protection activism
[1]After encountering photographic evidence of slaughter conditions, Bardot campaigns against painful slaughter methods and becomes vegetarian.
Products and positioning
A highly visible, advocacy-led animal-protection foundation combining direct care for animals with campaigning, legal intervention and international conservation partnerships.
Animal rescue and sheltering
Animal shelters and refuge network
The foundation operates shelters in France and financially supports other refuges. La Mare Auzou in Normandy is a prominent facility associated with the organisation, housing dogs and cats awaiting adoption and providing long-term care for horses, cattle and other animals.
Advocacy publication · 1992
L'Info-journal
A quarterly foundation newsletter used to communicate animal-protection campaigns, organisational activities and public positions. It has been published since 1992.
Veterinary assistance
Mobile veterinary clinic
A mobile veterinary service created to provide assistance in countries of the former Eastern Bloc, forming part of the foundation's international animal-rescue and welfare support.
Controversies
2019
Court of Audit criticism of governance and transparency
The French Court of Audit publicly criticised the foundation for governance dysfunctions and inadequate transparency toward donors.
2006
Bardot convicted over letter concerning Eid al-Adha
A letter published in the foundation's newsletter criticising the Eid al-Adha slaughter ritual led to proceedings and a fine against Bardot for incitement to racial hatred.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Cetacean-protection campaign in the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands · France
The foundation-associated vessel MV Brigitte Bardot participated in a campaign connected with the protection of cetaceans in the Faroe Islands.
Outcome. The vessel was subsequently exhibited in Paris to draw attention to the campaign.
- 2009Le cheval vous l'aimez comment?
France
A campaign opposing hippophagy, or the slaughter and consumption of horses, and challenging the normalisation of horse meat.
Outcome. The foundation was excluded from the Salon du Cheval after organisers said the event was not a venue for developing a position on hippophagy.
- 2007Day without fur
France
The foundation supported an annual anti-fur observance held on the first Saturday of the winter sales.
Outcome. The initiative became a recurring element of the foundation's anti-fur advocacy.
- 2005Fourrure, le look qui tue
France
A public campaign opposing the fur trade, using communications intended to associate fur fashion with animal cruelty.
Outcome. The campaign was followed by continuing anti-fur communications and support for an annual day without fur during the winter sales period.
Brand decisions
2009
Soundproofing investment at La Mare AuzouStrategyBackground
Local residents complained about noise from the Normandy refuge and closure was threatened.
Action taken
The foundation began soundproofing construction at the site.
Aftermath
The work was intended to allow the refuge to continue operating alongside neighbouring communities.
Reported investment in soundproofing and related work. €3 million reported invested to date (By the time described in the reference material)
1991
Transfer of La Madrague to the foundationStrategyBackground
The foundation needed stronger capitalisation in connection with its application for recognition as a public-utility foundation.
Action taken
Brigitte Bardot donated her Saint-Tropez property La Madrague to the foundation.
Aftermath
The contribution supported the organisation's capital base before public-utility recognition was granted in 1992.
Sources2 sources
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