
French actress Ludivine Sagnier is suddenly everywhere, playing Diane de Poitiers in The Serpent Queen and Madame Anne-Louise Brillon in Franklin. But these aren’t her first rodeos in frock flicks, and you’ve probably seen her multiple times! I have to say, I had to scour to find a lot of her early roles, but they’re in very recognizable films.
The Little Sister in Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)
I recently started rewatching this 17th century-set French classic, but haven’t gotten to Ludivine’s part (which is admittedly tiny), so I can’t remember whose little sister she is!
Cornelia van Rijn in Rembrandt (1999)
The only one I can’t find any images/video/etc. of Ludivine in!
Hermine de Musset in Children of the Century (1999)
The real-life younger sister of French Romantic writer Alfred de Musset, one of the lead characters in this story of writers in love and tormenting each other.


Hortense in Napoléon (2002)
Hortense is Empress Josephine’s daughter and Napoleon’s step-daughter.

Célimène in Molière (2007)
17th century French playwright Molière’s fictional love interest.




Mme Barberin in Remi, Nobody’s Boy (2018)
A French movie about an orphan. I think Ludivine’s character is the woman who raises him.

Diane de Poitiers in The Serpent Queen (2022)
The long-running and highly influential mistress of French King Henri II, and foe to Catherine de Medici.




Theresa Cabarrus in Napoleon (2023)
Aka Madame de Tallien, a famous socialite of the Napoleonic era and friend to Empress Josephine.


Madame Anne-Louise Brillon in Franklin (2024)
The real-life French noblewoman, musician, and composer who befriended Benjamin Franklin (and maybe more?) during his tenure in France.


Which is your favorite of Ludivine Sagnier’s many frock flick roles?