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Mourners filled Nice’s cathedral on January 13 to pay respects to Evelyne Leclercq, the TF1 presenter who left a mark on French television. Her passing reopened memories of long-running shows and warm off-camera charm.
Farewell ceremony in Nice and the family’s requests
The funeral took place in the afternoon at the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, with close friends and family in attendance.
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- Date of death: December 30, 2025, in Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes.
- Age at death: 74 years.
- Place of ceremony: Nice, Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, January 13.
The family asked guests to observe two specific wishes to honor her memory.
- No flowers or wreaths. The family requested donations instead.
- Wear white or light-colored clothing as a sign of sobriety and solidarity.
Donations were directed to the Arnault Tzanck cancer center, reflecting the cause closest to the late presenter’s final wishes.
Words from her daughter at the service
Céline Olive, Evelyne Leclercq’s daughter, spoke with visible emotion during the ceremony.
She recalled her mother’s discretion and warmth, and how Evelyne kept family life private while opening her home to others. Céline described a woman who loved celebration, kept household lights and candles on in a perpetual welcome, and never left a guest without a full fridge.
Her tribute underlined a life lived for others, not for show.
Who came to pay respects — and who could not
Several well-known figures from French television joined the farewell.
- Jean-Pierre Foucault and his wife Evelyne Jarre were present.
- Fabienne Egal, long-time colleague and on-air partner from Tournez manège, attended.
Not everyone could travel. Simone Garnier, another former co-host from the same program, was unable to attend due to health constraints.
Colleagues’ impressions
Fabienne Egal told a national newspaper that Evelyne remained sharp in spirit, though physically fragile in recent times.
Colleagues emphasized her lasting influence on audiences and peers.
Final years and the fight against illness
Evelyne Leclercq spent her last months battling a long illness at home in Grasse, surrounded by family.
Her daughter noted the courage with which she faced the disease and the care that kept her close to loved ones until the end.
A television presence remembered by generations
Best known for co-hosting the dating show Tournez manège, Evelyne became a familiar face on TF1.
Her on-screen chemistry with partners and her warm persona left a trace on viewers across decades.
Her death prompted an outpouring of memories and thanks from fans and colleagues alike.
