Bernard d’Ormale: Brigitte Bardot’s Husband Lives in Social Housing, Not Saint-Tropez’s Billionaire Villas — Between a Provençal Market, Petanque, and Century-Old Plane Trees

When you think of Saint-Tropez, you immediately picture grand villas with swimming pools, luxury yachts, and dream properties along the French Riviera. Yet, not all residents live in that scenery reserved for the super-rich. Bernard d’Ormale, Brigitte Bardot’s husband, is one example. According to Gala magazine, Bernard d’Ormale shared, for more than thirty years, the life of the former actress at La Madrague before shifting scenery and moving into social housing right in the heart of the town. A new daily routine that allows him to regain a more village-like ambiance, paced by Provençal traditions.

In Saint-Tropez, Brigitte Bardot’s husband has found a new residence

Change of scene for Bernard d’Ormale. After Brigitte Bardot’s passing in December 2025, the man who had shared his life for 34 years had to consider a new place to live. He moved into a unit provided by the Saint-Tropez town hall, in the Carré de l’École area, right in the town center. According to Libération, it is a studio apartment of about 29 square meters, with a rent of 507 euros per month, utilities included. A dwelling far removed from the image commonly associated with residents of this highly sought-after destination.

This housing is part of a project designed to ease the daily life of seniors. As explained by the City of Saint-Tropez on its official site, Carré de l’École was developed on the former site of the central-town school. The program includes, notably, 17 housing units and several nearby shops, with the aim of helping elderly residents maintain their independence. For Bernard d’Ormale, this new living space represents a significant change, but also another way of living in Saint-Tropez.

Around Brigitte Bardot’s husband, the Provençal authenticity of Place des Lices

And the neighborhood has plenty of charm! Just steps from the Carré de l’École lies the famous Place des Lices, a must-see in town. Every Tuesday and Saturday morning, it comes alive with its Provençal market. Here you can find seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheese, olives, flowers, and many other local specialties. According to the Saint-Tropez Tourist Office, more than a hundred vendors regularly set up there.

A place to shop while enjoying the village’s typical atmosphere! Place des Lices is also known for its pétanque games, a tradition deeply rooted in local life. Regulars gather there to roll the balls and chat between games, even outside the summer season. A little corner of Provence that reveals another side of Saint-Tropez, far from private beaches and upscale establishments.

Bernard d’Ormale: From La Madrague to a downtown apartment

With Brigitte Bardot, he shared La Madrague, the famous seaside property owned by the star on the Mediterranean coast. This residence, now inseparable from the former actress, served as their quiet refuge. The couple built a discreet life there, away from public appearances. Since then, the property has become the center of a new story. According to the Foundation’s official site, Brigitte Bardot had donated the estate to the foundation and wished that its occupants leave the premises within six months of her death.

So Bernard d’Ormale moved into his studio in Saint-Tropez in September 2026. Relations with the Foundation, however, grew tense at the end of October. Upon returning from an outing, he discovered that access to the property was now prohibited. He was eventually able to return on October 30, accompanied by his lawyer and a bailiff, to retrieve a few personal belongings. He can now continue to live in Saint-Tropez, in a city he knows well, but in a setting quite different from his former home.