A View from Paris on Film

There are many reasons why Paris is one of the most popular film locations in the world and the backdrop for countless films and books. Due to The City of Light’s ongoing love affair with the arts, its popular landmarks are instantly recognised by people across the globe; providing the perfect inspiration to jump on a boat, train or plane and take a trip to feast your eyes on some of the most filmed spots on earth.

Paris actually began its life as a simple Celto-Roman settlement, simply known as Lutetia on the Ile de la Cite. The Ile de la Cite is now occupied by the Cathedral de Notre Dame, famously shown in Wallace Worsley’s 1923 film, ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame‘.

Victor Hugos novel ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’ was also a great success and it was he who led a campaign for restoration of the cathedral which was falling into disrepair by the 19th century. Gothic revivalist Viollet-le-Duc restored Notre-Dame to its former glory and today you can take a trip to marvel at a job well done.

The French Capital’s alias as The City of Light hails back to the aura of enlightenment which Paris gained during the ‘Beautiful Era’ (Belle Epoque) - the Parisian golden age of the late 19th century where fashion prevailed and haute couture was born. Paris lay at the centre of this era and it was during this period that Gustave Eiffel's famous tower was erected and the first Metro line laid.

A movie that perfectly depicts the feeling of the city during this time is Gigi, a filmic flurry of tea-rooms, courtesans and waltzes. The film won nine Oscars, so it seems safe to say that Edwardian era Paris is accurately and artistically evoked in this musical.

Charade is another French film classic starring Audrey Hepburn and features an impressive array of Parisian landmarks. The protagonists rendezvous at Le Theatre du Vrai Guignolet, where regular performances still continue to run. Furthermore, if you arrive at 3pm on a Wednesday then you can witness a performance of the oldest Punch and Judy show in Paris.

In more modern film, ‘The Da Vinci Code’ has highlighted the world’s most visited art museum, the Louvre. Whilst it is probably most famous for its housing of the Mona Lisa, the Louvre actually holds more than 35,000 works of art; proving a must-see for any art lovers.

The film Amelie is renowned for its sweeping shots of Montmartre and Sacre Cour, both of which you can visit on your trip to Paris. The Canal St Martin was also featured in the film and this green river which snakes through the eastern side of the city makes a welcome break from the busier tourist areas.

If there is a specific film location that you want to visit then you could bear this is mind when considering areas for hotels in Paris. And if you’re lucky, you could be just around the corner from those landmarks you’ve only ever seen at the movies.