"We will always remember her exceptional journey as an actress, from the dawn of the Festival d'Avignon in 1947 to the stage of Comedie Francaise, and the roles she played, as moving as they are powerful, under the direction of Louis Malle, François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard and so many others," said the Director-General. "It is rare to see a career mix life with art and art with life, with so much energy, brilliance and passion, with genuine enthusiasm and a real desire to transmit."
 
"Jeanne Moreau had a phrase that sums it up well: "A character is like a skin that we shed but leaves traces behind. So it's a wonderful way to grasp humanity," said Irina Bokova. "The wealth and variety of her artistic career, her temperament as a "complete" actress, driven by convictions and freedom, the generosity and the variety of her roles all of this speaks to us all," said the Director-General.
 
"The first woman elected at the Academy of Fine Arts of the Institute of France, she will always remain a precious voice and presence that speaks to all generations and transcends all borders," concluded Irina Bokova.