Alain Delon – This name is a big part of not only French cinema but the entire European film industry. A year ago, on 18 August 2024, this legendary actor left us. He was 88 years old. But his memories and his stories are still alive.
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In today’s article, we will tell you how his village, Douchy-Montcorbon (Loiret, France), has remembered him in a special way a year after his death.
Stadium Gets a New Name
Friends, on 18 August 2025, the stadium of Douchy will no longer be just a ground. It was given a new name – Stade Alain Delon.
That is, now the sports ground of this small village is forever associated with the name of the actor who gave identity to the village.
Mayor Abel Martin himself made this proposal. Earlier, this stadium had no name. And now, whenever children play football here, their name will be associated with Alain Delon.
Why a Football Stadium?
You must be thinking – what is the connection between Delon and football? Actually, Alain Delon was not very fond of football. He liked boxing and cycling more.
But in 1983, he donated a jersey to the village football club AS Douchy. That jersey was used for many years.
Old player of the club, Nicolas Rojas, says –
“Delon used to come to watch our matches sometimes, especially the tournaments held at the end of the year.”
So, according to this, naming the stadium after him seems justified.
Fans Still Travel to Douchy
Indeed, today the senior team of the club does not exist; there are only teams of children from 5 to 9 years. But this time, when the naming ceremony took place, about 50 people were present.
Some were local people, but many fans also came from far away.
Like Isabelle, who came from Bordeaux, she had come to pay tribute to Delon last year by standing outside his house.
Family Was Missing
It was a little sad that his three children – Anthony, Alain-Fabien, and Anouchka – did not attend the ceremony.
Yes, Anthony was at the family estate nearby that day. But nothing was known about the other two.
Despite this, the love of the villagers was clearly visible. Mayor Abel Martin said –
“This is a symbol of our love and respect. When Delon saw the world, he also took Douchy’s name with him.”
Evening Documentary
In the evening, a 45-minute documentary was also shown in the village hall. It showed how Delon and Douchy’s relationship remained strong for years.
The documentary’s director, Ghislaine Graillet, said –
“Delon was a little reserved, but his partner, Mireille Darc, was close to the villagers. Both also made many donations.”
The Complicated Legacy
Now let’s talk about his legacy. Delon’s property and money case is still stuck in court.
- Estimated total assets: 50 million euros.
- Tax: Up to 45% will have to be paid.
- The children have already received 100,000 Swiss francs (about 107,000 euros) in advance.
- Right now, they are also getting 10,000 euros every month.
But the real issue is – La Brûlerie Estate. This is his 120-hectare property in Douchy, which costs 200,000 euros every year to maintain.
If the tax and expenses increase too much, then his children may have to sell it.
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Different Bonds with the Estate
All three children have different attachments to this estate.
- Anouchka and Alain-Fabien spent their childhood here.
- Anthony’s connection is less likely, as he is 25-30 years older than the other person.
Still, Anthony was seen there on 18 August 2025. According to the mayor, Alain-Fabien lives there almost exclusively, and Anthony visits every 2-3 weeks.
A Look Back at His Career
Delon had a brilliant film career. He was one of Europe’s biggest stars in the 1960s and 70s.
Some of his best films:
- Purple Noon (1960) – Tom Ripley’s role
- Rocco and His Brothers (1960)
- The Leopard (1963)
- Le Samouraï (1967)
- The Sicilian Clan (1969)
- La Piscine (1969)
Although he was not very successful in Hollywood, his films were a huge craze in France, Italy, and Japan.
In the 2000s, he made a comeback with the TV series Fabio Montale and Frank Riva. And in 200,8 he also played the role of Julius Caesar.
In 2005, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor.
The Final Years
His health deteriorated after a stroke in 2019. And finally, on 18 August 2024, he breathed his last in Douchy. His funeral took place there, in a small chapel built by him – Brûlerie Estate Chapel.
Friends, Alain Delon was not just an actor. He was an identity, a face of French cinema.
Having a stadium named after him in Douchy is not just a small step, but a way to keep his memories alive forever.
Today, when the small children of the village play on this ground, they will feel that their ground is named after the man who once conquered the world – Alain Delon.
My name is Farhad Dawar and I am graduate of the Institute of Media and Communication Studies Bahaddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan. I’m passionate about journalism and media, and I believe in journalism of courage, uncovering the truth, and shaping the future.
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
