The Sexiest French Women

Brigitte Bardot

By Abby Gardner

Controversy has always followed Bardot — in her film choices and her politics. But there's no arguing that she is the ultimate French bombshell. What we wouldn't give for the hair and the pout of her heyday.

Laetitia Casta

This supermodel definitely fits into the Bardot school of French allure. Thus, it's in no way shocking that she's starred in campaigns for Guess? and Victoria's Secret, along with gracing hundreds of magazine covers.

Emmanuelle Béart

Béart began acting in her teens (back in 1976) and we think some of our young American starlets could look to her for lessons in how to age gracefully, and maintain a flourishing career. Ahem, Miley, we're looking at you.

Carla Bruni

Carla Bruni has long been one of our favorite '80s supermodels. And we really and truly dig her music. Plus, now she's keeping everyone on their toes as France's first lady. We can't get enough.

Isabelle Adjani

Probably best known to American audiences for her turn in the 1988 film Camille Claudel for which she was nominated for an Academy Award, Adjani has starred in over 30 films. And just look at how brilliantly she still accessorizes.

Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker is one of America's most famous ex-pats — she became a French citizen in 1937. The sultry songstress was also a civil rights champion, another very sexy quality.

Marion Cotillard

There's not room here for us to enumerate the ways in which we love Marion Cotillard, currently France's most famous export. Her portrayal of Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose was divine. We can't wait to see her this weekend in Inception. And there's not an item in her closet we don't covet.

Juliette Binoche

We've loved Juliette Binoche in films like The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The English Patient, and of course the delicious Chocolat. But we also can't get enough of how stunning and regal she looks on red carpets from Cannes to Los Angeles.

Audrey Tautou

Her pixie-ish beauty first became well-known to the world with the release of Amélie in 2001. Our personal favorite is her turn in Hors de Prix — her outfits are to die for! And of course, anyone chic enough to play Coco Chanel herself must make this list.

Aurélie Claudel

You know what they say about pictures and words? One look at this shot will explain why the model is one of our favorite French femmes. Simply gorgeous.

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Charlotte may just have the grooviest parents ever: Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. Talk about a household that oozed French cool. It obviously rubbed off on their daughter.

Lou Doillon

Charlotte's half-sister Lou (dad is director Jacques Doillon) is another of our favorite "it" girls in Paris at the moment. Her fashion choices make her an obvious muse to many designers and a staple in the front row at fashion shows.

Clémence Poésy

Reigning the kingdom of cool with Jane Birkin's daughters is actress Clémence Poésy. And from the looks of things, she'll be stirring up trouble on American television this fall on Gossip Girl with one Mr. Chuck Bass.

Élodie Bouchez

Élodie's got a tough girl Parisian cool, which made her perfectly suited for her role as rogue assassin Renée Rienne on the final season of Alias. Plus, she's got a hipster musician husband, Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk.

Jeanne Moreau

Moreau is certainly one of the most accomplished actresses in France. But she's also left a trail of well-known loves behind along the way. It must certainly have taken a certain something to woo directors such as Louis Malle, William Friedkin and François Truffaut.

Noémie Lenoir

What an amazing head of curls Noémie has. We're sure that's one of the many reasons she's modeled for L'Oréal, Gap and even starred in an Usher video.

Ludivine Sagnier

If you've seen the sexy 2003 film Swimming Pool, there's not much more we need to say about why Ludivine (also one of our favorite French names) is included here. If not, we suggest adding it to your Netflix queue.

Virginie Ledoyen

Our intense jealousy of the actress first appeared when we caught sight of her beauty in The Beach — that and the fact she got to shoot it in that gorgeous location ... and with Leo. Now, we just wish we got to see her in more American films.

Catherine Deneuve

Ah, Catherine Deneuve. You are forever the epitome of French beauty. Your simply innocent hair and pink lips in Les Parapluies de Cherbourg are infinitely inspirational. Now, we're off to rent Belle de Jour again for a sampling of your sexier side.