Romy Schneider and Alain Delon’s love for each other was magnetic, passionate, powerful and ultimately too strong to last but for a fleeting moment… and yet it is a love that rings eternal. They both mentioned loving each other “too much”.

Romy will forever be Delon’s “puppelée” (affectionate German word for doll) and the “love of his life” as he mentioned in interviews later on in his life.

During their 5 years as a couple so many beautifully touching photographs were taken of them.

In my previous newsletter, I shared how their love story began. Read it here if you haven’t yet. Today I will focus on my favourite photos of them as a couple, with a series of collages I have created based on particular moments of their time together.

Fun times in the countryside

In between leading a glamorous lifestyle, working on film sets and travelling to different countries for their movies, Romy and Alain would seclude themselves off to their country home in Lugano, Switzerland. Here they could reconnect to each other and live pure moments in an idyllic setting. They danced, played and went for walks in the surrounding countryside wearing country clothes and wellington boots. Here they were oblivious to the affairs of the world, enjoying the simple pleasures of life in the peaceful cocoon of their love.

Winter Romance in Paris

Often called back to Paris due to film commitments, they loved going for romantic moonlit strolls, holding each other tightly to keep warm during the chilly Parisian winter nights.

These are some of my favourite photos of Alain and Romy because they capture the soft, sweet and caring aspect of their relationship. These photos have a delightful intimacy, almost as if the photographer just happened apon this enamoured couple by chance and quickly took a photo with Alain and Romy seemingly indifferent to their presence.

Glam and Showtime

From starry eyes and loving moments to star studded events!

Back to reality: Romy Schneider and Alain Delon were, after all, two internationally acclaimed actors and so frequently had to adorn their most sumptuous suits and dresses to attend prestigious dinners, galas and film festivals.

Dressed up to the nines and looking wonderful amongst the “greats” of the time. Even during these events, where they were constantly being approached and solicited, the couple still managed to find a moment of intimacy, dancing the waltz or whispering sweet nothings in each others ears during dinner.

Diving into “La Piscine”

In 1968 the two actors met for the first time since their separation, four years prior, to collaborate on the internationally renowned film “La Piscine” by Jacques Deray. Their reunion was thanks to Delon who insisted on Romy playing the part of his wife in the film. He firmly believed that only she had the capability of playing such an intense role and that their roles as a couple in the movie required the understanding of two people who had actually loved and known each other deeply in reality.

Romy had taken a pause for a few years from her acting career and had moved to Germany to give birth to her baby. As a result she had dropped completely off the film making radar. Due to this fact a certain reticence was expressed by the direction to proposing her the role in the film. In response to this reticence Delon flatly stated that he would not take part in the project unless Romy was offered the role. Doubtless to say Romy got the part.

“It’s my most beautiful memory. The summer of 1968, the house in Saint-Tropez. The light there was magnificent. Romy… “ (Alain becomes overwhelmed with emotion at this memory of his love and is unable to finish his sentence).

Alain Delon interview for Paris Match in 2002.

Their reunion after years apart was incredibly touching and emotional. Even though they had “never really quit each other. We had the impression of being together again after a separation of only 48 hours” (Alain Delon).

The two were filled with happiness and delight to be together. And this time they were tanning under the warm sun of the riviera in a beautiful villa overlooking the sparkling mediterranean to shoot a sensual and dramatic movie. ‘La Piscine’ became a sensational international success!

Finally, if haven’t watched it yet, and would like to see an example of how Romy and Alain’s love was electric from their original interviews and film footage, you can watch this video montage my father and I made in honour of their relationship. It begins with an iconic and intimate scene from La Piscine in which Romy in her role of Marianne says to him “Can’t you tell? I’m always happy when I’m with you…“ followed by him taking her in his arms, undoing her hair and kissing her passionately.

I hope you take as much pleasure reading this newsletter as I took in researching and writing it.

Best wishes to you all,

Jamila Wilson