Photo : Au bain des dames
Documentary Month: Screening of Au Bain des Dames by Margaux Fournier
As part of Documentary Month, we will screen the documentary film Au Bain des Dames, which won the award for Best Documentary Short Film at the 2026 Césars. A discussion will follow the screening.
Bibliothèque Claire Bretécher (Paris 10th)
About
Every day, Joëlle joins her retired friends on the Bain des Dames beach in Marseille. Like in an open-air theater, they laugh, talk about love, sex, and changing bodies, and reshape the world with the freedom of those who have nothing left to prove.
At once a favorite and a punch in the gut, Au Bain des Dames proves to be an ode to old age that is as amusing as it is necessary. Vanity Fair
The savory conversations of elderly women on a beach in Marseille, César 2026 for Best Documentary Short Film, was one of “Télérama’s” favorites during the 48th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. Télérama
Our take on this event
Forget everything you thought you knew about aging as you eavesdrop on this group of lively women holding court on a Mediterranean beach. This award-winning documentary captures the raw, hilarious, and unapologetic conversations of those who truly have nothing left to prove.
The Claire Bretécher Library hosts a special screening of Margaux Fournier’s documentary Au Bain des Dames, winner of the 2026 César Award for Best Short Documentary. Set on a beach in Marseille, the film captures the vibrant conversations of a group of retired women discussing love, aging, and life with total freedom. This event is part of the Mois du doc and is free of charge for adults aged 18 and over. The venue is wheelchair accessible, ensuring a welcoming environment for all film enthusiasts attending this unique session on Thursday, November 19, 2026.
On Thursday, November 19, 2026, join us at the Claire Bretécher Library for a screening of the award-winning short documentary Au Bain des Dames. Directed by Margaux Fournier and celebrated at the 48th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the film invites viewers into the daily lives of retired women who gather on a Marseille beach. Their candid discussions on changing bodies and personal experiences serve as both an entertaining and poignant exploration of the third age.
The screening takes place from 19:00 to 20:00. This event is free and open to attendees aged 18 and up. The library is fully accessible to wheelchair users, providing an inclusive space to experience this critically acclaimed work. Whether you are a fan of documentary cinema or simply curious about these insightful stories from the Mediterranean coast, this evening in the 10th arrondissement offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy a remarkable piece of filmmaking.
