Need some Paris travel inspiration before your trip to France? Get a dose of travel inspiration before you go by exploring works that place the City of Light at the heart of their stories. Movies, novels, or TV series set in Paris, these tales will transport you even before you pack your bags and immerse you in Parisian postcards. From the Champs-Élysées to the Ménilmontant district, passing by the Canal Saint-Martin and the secrets of Notre-Dame, let yourself be carried away by the beauty and romanticism of this city that never disappoints.
Happy exploring!
Breathless
Following in the footsteps of Michel Poiccard, this small-time crook played by Jean-Paul Belmondo, we traverse in this drama a captivating 1960s Paris. From the Champs-Élysées up to the Opéra district and the final chase towards the Place des Victoires… Jean-Luc Godard’s camera reinvents the city with unprecedented freedom. The movie Breathless is a foundational work of cinéma-vérité and an emblem of the new wave genre, and transforms Parisian streets into a cinematic playground.
A Monster in Paris
This charming animated musical transports viewers to a flood-ravaged Paris of 1910. The story follows Emile, a shy projectionist, and his friend Raoul. Watch as they accidentally create an extraordinary creature in a scientist’s laboratory. The tale unfolds across beautifully rendered Parisian landmarks, from the majestic Botanical Gardens to the dazzling cabaret halls. Director Bibo Bergeron paints a nostalgic portrait of Belle Époque in his movie A Monster in Paris, cleverly blending art nouveau aesthetics.
Call My Agent!
Step behind the bustling scenes of a Parisian talent agency! Here, agents juggle the whims and careers of French cinema stars. A very funny look at this fascinating world, with scenes shot in various iconc locations in the capital. It features French stars who parade across the screen like Isabelle Huppert, Jean Dujardin, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and other big names.
Taschen’s Paris
You can count on Angelika Taschen to give you the cult addresses of hotels, restaurants, and boutiques in the capital. Why? Because Taschen is synonymous with good taste! “Paris is the city of love, as is well known, but also that of fashion, perfumes, chocolates, champagne, and oysters,” reminds the author. So, get into the ambiance of a chic Paris thanks to this magnificent album. And take notes, because it’s far too heavy for you to lug around.
He & She by Marc Levy
She is an actress, a Londoner, in the midst of a relationship crisis, which leads her to take refuge in Montmartre. He is an American writer with writer’s block, who has expatriated to the Marais. Levy arranges for chance to bring them together and, in doing so, delivers a heartwarming novel, full of twists and humor. As a bonus, we learn some great things about the movie and publishing industries.
The New Parisian: The Women and Ideas Shaping Paris by Lindsey Tramuta
Forget the clichés! This impactful essay deconstructs the tired myth of the Parisian woman. Instead, it shines a spotlight on the diversity and modernity of the women who are shaping the French capital today. Through vibrant portraits of daring entrepreneurs, inspired artists, and committed intellectuals, the author explores feminist struggles, the imperative of inclusivity, and the profound social evolutions redefining Paris.
Before Sunset
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy reunite in this captivating sequel, set against the romantic backdrop of Paris. Nine years after their magical night in Vienna, Jesse arrives at Shakespeare and Company bookstore to promote his novel about their unforgettable encounter. When Céline unexpectedly appears, the pair embark on a profound journey in the City of Light. From intimate conversations on the charming Promenade Plantée elevated park, to a stroll in the historic Marais district to a Seine river cruise, their afternoon unfolds with raw honesty and rekindled chemistry.
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
Dive into the bohemian Paris of the 1920s alongside Hemingway! His memoirs transport you to a Montparnasse and a Saint-Germain-des-Prés vibrant with unforgettable literary and artistic energy. A nostalgic dive into a bygone Paris, yet still present in the imagination.
300 Reasons to Love Paris by Judith Ritchie
Like a map worthy of a treasure hunt, this book reveals favorite addresses in all arrondissements, loved by both Parisians and by discreet tourists seeking authenticity.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Follow the main character, Jean Valjean, in his poignant quest for redemption through the tumult of a changing France. This great classic explores social misery, injustice, and hope with unparalleled power, offering a striking historical fresco. Let yourself be carried away by this timeless human drama, whose echoes still resonate in the streets of Paris. And if you don’t feel like reading, the big screen awaits for a visual immersion.
The Life Before Us by Romain Gary (Émile Ajar)
In the popular and vibrant Belleville district, discover the touching friendship between a young Arab boy and an old Jewish woman in this classic novel of modern literature. A tender and poignant look at the diversity that makes up the soul of Paris, particularly in this neighborhood, still colorful and marked by social disparities today.
An Apartment in Paris by Guillaume Musso
In this novel, fate brings together Madeline, a strong-willed former British police officer, and Gaspard, a misanthropic playwright, in the studio of a painter recently deceased under nebulous circumstances. Together, they embark on a captivating investigation that will lead them through the mysteries of Paris.
Cleo from 5 to 7
In the heart of 1960s Paris, Agnès Varda delivers a major work with Cleo from 5 to 7. The camera follows a young singer who wanders the Parisian streets for two crucial hours, awaiting the results of a medical analysis. From Rue de Rivoli to the green spaces of Parc Montsouris, this stroll transforms Corinne Marchand’s view of the city and herself. The film’s director masterfully captures the essence of a changing capital, where every encounter alters destiny. Bonus for the soundtrack by Michel Legrand!
Midnight in Paris
Imagine an American writer transported to the Paris of the Roaring Twenties! He encounters legendary figures such as Hemingway and Picasso in a series of dreamlike scenes. The film Midnight in Paris, partly shot in the Luxembourg Gardens, Montmartre, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Latin Quarter, is a true love letter to the timeless magic of Paris.
Amélie — perhaps the most famous French movie set in Paris?
Let yourself be charmed by the poetic and endearing world of a dreamy young woman who decides to spread happiness around her, while searching for true love. The cult movie Amélie sublimates the streets of Montmartre, its picturesque alleys, lively cafés, and the majestic Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Many filming locations have become iconic thanks to this unique love story.
La Vie en rose
Experience the rhythm of the tumultuous life of the legendary Édith Piaf!. From her modest childhood in Belleville to her international consecration. This poignant biopic recreates with striking precision the Paris of the 1930s to the 1960s, notably the vibrant Pigalle district and the smoky cabarets.
Inception — one of the best action movies filmed in Paris
The streets of Paris bend and deform in this Christopher Nolan film. The Bir-Hakeim Bridge becomes the setting for a dizzying scene where reality wavers, while the Café Da Stuzzi, at the corner of Rue César Franck, hosts an enigmatic conversation. The majestic Palais Galliera lends its neoclassical facade to a sequence where Michael Caine introduces his protégé to Leonardo DiCaprio. A Paris transformed by dreams and imagination unfolds, where every familiar street holds a new level of consciousness.
Moulin Rouge!
Welcome to the exuberant Paris of the early 1900s! This exhilarating musical tells the passionate love story of a penniless writer plunged into the decadent and lyrical world of the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret. The film’s filming locations, although reproduced in a studio and through special effects, nevertheless evoke the unique atmosphere of that era.
The Da Vinci Code
Alongside Professor Robert Langdon, solve a captivating mystery that begins in the heart of the Louvre. This film, adapted from Dan Brown’s novel, takes you on a thrilling investigation through several iconic Parisian filming locations, before leading you on an adventure across Europe.
What animated Disney movies are set in Paris? Ratatouille!
Savor the culinary adventure of Rémy, a talented young rat separated from his family, who finds his calling in the kitchens of a grand Parisian restaurant. Anthony Bourdain himself praised the realism of the scenes in this endearing animated film!
Eiffel
In this film with Romain Duris, discover a facet of Gustave Eiffel’s life, crowned with glory after the construction of the Statue of Liberty. The French government then entrusts him with the mission of designing a grandiose work for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris.
Lupin
Inspired by the gentleman burglar Arsène Lupin, Assane Diop orchestrates audacious heists and ingenious manipulations to avenge his father. Spectacular scenes unfold in iconic filming locations such as the Louvre, Montmartre, and the romantic Pont des Arts — with spectacular views from the city’s heights as a bonus.
Emily in Paris
It’s hard to be more on-trend than this series! Dive into the daily life of an American who discovers Paris, its challenges and its charms, by landing a position in a marketing agency. This now iconic series offers an immersion into Parisian life, sometimes clichéd but always entertaining, with its love stories, picturesque cafés, and social evenings.
Paris by ZAZ
The album Paris by ZAZ is a true declaration of love to the French capital. It offers a modern and vibrant reinterpretation of classic French songs that evoke the City of Light, such as Sous le ciel de Paris, La Parisienne or J’aime Paris au mois de mai.
Paris When It Sizzles
Released in 1964, Paris When It Sizzles is a romantic comedy starring William Holden and Audrey Hepburn. It follows a Hollywood screenwriter trying to finish a script about Paris, with chaotic and charming results. The movie set in Paris captures the vibrant spirit of the city.
