Brigitte Bardot has been remembered as "a legend of the century"

French president Emmanuel Macron said: "Her films, her voice, her dazzling fame, her initials, her sorrows, her generous passion for animals, her face that became Marianne - Brigitte Bardot embodied a life of freedom. A French existence, a universal radiance. She moved us. We mourn a legend of the century."

The city of Saint-Tropez, where Brigitte lived, mourned their "most radiant ambassador".

A statement on behalf of the coastal resort read: "An icon of French cinema and an international figure, Brigitte Bardot will forever be associated with Saint-Tropez, of which she was the most radiant ambassador. Through her presence, her personality, and her aura, she left her mark on the history of our town and helped to make Saint-Tropez shine across the world.

"Brigitte Bardot now belongs to the collective memory of Saint-Tropez, which we must preserve. She will continue to inhabit the soul of our town."

Marine Le Pen, the French far-right politician previously praised by the late star, hailed Brigitte an "exceptional woman".

She wrote: "A woman who chose to break with an incredible career to devote herself to the animals she defended until her last breath with inexhaustible energy and love. She was incredibly French: free, untamable, whole. She will be greatly missed by us."

Actor Pierre Arditi insisted the Viva Maria star was still "the most beautiful woman in the world" when she died.

He said: "She wasn't just one of the most beautiful women in the world - she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and she still is, in fact.

"She had a courage that men still don't reference, and if she cared so deeply about animals ... it's probably because she had been disappointed by men - all men - and I understand that. We are relatively disappointing; I can speak for my own gender."

Gypsy Kings co-founder Chico Bouchikhi remembered his friend of 45 years and the impact she had on his own career.

The singer and guitarist wrote: "We've been friends for 45 years ... Had Brigitte Bardot not existed, we would have never had the career that we did. She believed in us before everyone. She loved, she loved to laugh, she loved life, she loved sharing those moments of happiness, and when she came to find us, it was for herself. Those were magic moments.

"There was a before and an after Brigitte Bardot for us. Imagine: We were begging on the streets of Saint-Tropez. She would come with us to our private gigs and small parties, she would put on a skirt and a wig and begin to dance, and the people would say, 'Incredible, that dancer looks like Brigitte Bardot!' It was fabulous, the legend of Bardot was born then and there."

In addition, the likes of Sofia Vergara, Sharon Osbourne, Lindsay Lohan, Kelly Rowland, Alessandra Ambrosio, Zoe Saldaña, and Kacey Musgraves all shared pictures on their Instagram Story to express their sadness at the death of the iconic star.