What to Watch Before Visiting Paris
Planning a trip to Paris? Perhaps its your first trip and you’re lost in a sea of recommendations, pictures, suggestions, and a bit of your own fantasies. Or perhaps you’ve been before and are looking forward to getting lost while strolling the charming streets once again. Regardless, here is a list of movies and television shows to get you inspired for your upcoming trip (even if you haven’t booked it yet or have no immediate plans to visit).
This list aims to predominantly focus on Paris vs. all of France, though I admit that may not always the case and a few recommendations that don’t strictly highlight the Parisian charm have slipped in. If you’re looking for a more general list of films and TV show to watch about France, or for specific cities or historical moments, check out all the lists of movies and TV shows to watch before visiting HERE.. I have also striven to keep this list with mostly English-language films, though a few sub-titled staples are included.
Without further ado... a list of recommendations for films and TV shows - in no particular order - to watch when planning (or dreaming of) a trip to Paris:
Moulin Rouge! – this 2001 classic may use popular songs from the 21st century to help move the story along, but it most definitely can be considered an homage to the Belle Epoque period of Paris, highlighting the majestic grit we’ve come to image. Famous artist Talouse Lautrec features prominently in the narrative, as the artist was known to frequent the real Moulin Rouge. While the story is a complete work of fiction, it features little quips and moments that pay respect to the time, all while unfolding in the heart of Paris’ Pigalle district.
You can watch the trailer here.
Love him or hate him, Woody Allen pays homage to the city of lights in this love letter to Paris. This story follows Gil (played by Owen Wilson) who is visiting Paris with his fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and her parents – small minded people who cannot appreciate the charms of the city, nor understands Gil’s fascination with Paris in the 1920s. However, through some magic, Gil gets transported nightly – at the stroke of midnight to be exact – back into his golden age for Paris, able to meet legendary writers, artists, film makers, and cultural icons, who haunted the streets and clubs of Paris in the 20s.
This film is a gem, even if you’re not typically a fan of Woody Allen films and features an amazing cast, including Adrien Brody, Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen, Tom Hiddleston, Carla Bruni, Kathy Bates, Alison Pill, Léa Seydoux and Corey Stoll.
You can watch the trailer here.
While a French language film with subtitles, this film is undoubtedly a must-see when looking for inspiration or history before visiting Paris. Featuring Marion Cotillard, this Oscar-winning biopic tells the tragic story of famed French singer Edith Piaf and her rise to fame. Cotillard's portrayal of Edith Piaf is so prolific, she became the first person to win an Oscar for a French-language role; this being only one of the MANY awards she won for this role, and only one of the academy awards it earned.
Watch the trailer here.
A mini-series about the Sun King, Louis XIV, as he moved his court from Paris to the now famous chateau outside the city and had it built to honour his reign. The series, which lasts 3 seasons, focuses on the early days of Louis and his golden age as king of France. While not always historically accurate, this show does give you some good insight and background into his life and how Versailles came to be; all done with French approval as this show is largely produced - and first aired - by a French network (Canal+), despite being in English. Featuring actor George Blagden (Vikings, Les Miserables), this series will transport you to the golden age of France, with historical drama and intrigue, politics, romance, and ornate costumes and sets.
You can watch the trailer for the first season here.
A romantic-comedy, this French film has become a staple in cinematic history; the benchmark for foreign films when entering the English market. The movie focused on Amélie, a shy and quirky French girl who lives in Paris. Having had a sheltered and unusual childhood, Amelie leaves home at 18 and ends up situating herself in Montmartre, working at a little bistro with an odd collection of characters. As she begins to discover herself and come out of her shell, she finds purpose and love, creating a life for herself that she had never dreamed possible. Starring Audrey Tautou is the titular character, this film is a great way to get introduced to Paris, specifically the artist quarter of Montmartre.
You can watch the trailer here.
Through a series of little vignettes, love in all it's forms is revealed. Featuring twenty different stories told in approximately five minutes by twenty different filmmakers, you will not only see life and love in Paris - the romantic, the tragic, and the gritty - but you will be treated to a variety of stories with a stacked cast of familiar faces, including Juliette Binoche, Steve Buscemi, Willem Dafoe, Natalie Portman, Rufus Seweel, Gerard Depardieu, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elijah Wood, Emily Mortimer, Nick Nolte, Miranda Richardson, Gena Rowlands, and Gaspard Ulliel... must I continue? The cast is diverse in background and accents, making for unique little stories, low emotional commitment, and endless Parisian backdrops.
Watch the trailer here.
If you're even remotely considering a day-trip to Versailles, this romantic historical drama will undoubtedly inspire you and change the way you see the gardens of Versailles. Kate Winslet stars opposite Matthias Schoenaerts, who plays the famous gardener Andre Le Notre - a man who not only designed the gardens of Versailles, but also the gardens for various other royal residences and palaces throughout France. Watch as the gardens, in particular the musical amphitheater, comes together while romance ensues. Other actors starring in this film include: Alan Rickman (who also directed the movie), Stanley Tucci, Helen McCrory, Adrian Scarborough, and Jennifer Ehle.
Watch the trailer here.
If you’re a fan of Sex and the City or Younger, you won’t want to miss Emily in Paris, which is Darren Starr’s latest creation. Much like his other shows, it is a perfect balance of focusing on female friendship, women in the workplace, and butterfly-inducing romance. And of course the fashion is on point, as it always seems to be such a staple in his shows. While the show earned a lot of flak from critics for portraying a stereotypical and false version of Paris and its local, this show clearly portrays Paris the way ingénue young Americans view the city. From their expectations going there, to how they first adapt and perceive – this show is more stereotypical in its portrayal of American women lusting to go to Paris than the French.
When all is said and done, it’s a light-hearted and amusing series, over in a blink of an eye but leaving you desperate to go to Paris. The show does a good job of showing off multiple neighbourhoods of the city, as well as introducing you to some of the French customs and values. By the end of the 10 episodes you’ll be desperate for a croissant, shopping for colourful clothes you’d never imagine wanting, and completely enamored with the city. You’ll also want to throw a box of chocolates at the TV because finding a beautiful Frenchman is just not that easy.
You can watch the trailer here.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen might not be the first to come to mind when thinking "cinema" but this childhood gem definitely features lots of great shots of Paris and acts as a childhood crash course to some of the cultural difference. It's a fun movie to rewatch and will remind you why you were desperate to go to Paris as a child. Thankfully, the fashion has changed since the early 90s, and unlike in this movie, you can find McDonalds everywhere without the French turning their noses up at it. Just be sure to call it MacDo if you want to blend in with the locals.
You can relive your childhood with the trailer here.
Following the success of Before Sunrise (1995), Richard Linklater continues the story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) in Before Sunset. Taking place 9 years after its prequel, this romance shows the leads meeting up again years later in Paris as Jesse visits on his book tour. For those who never saw the first film, it follows a young American named Jesse, a Céline, a young French girl, as they meet on a train to Vienna. Upon disembarking, they end up spending the night together, getting to know one another while exploring the city. In the sequel, they meet up again after that faithful night, with Jesse having written his novel about their experience together.
While it is recommended to have watched the first film, it’s not necessary if you roughly know the plot of the first film. Of course it helps add to the character background and depth, but this movie also can be viewed as a standalone film.
Watch the trailer here.
Considered a film classic starring the great Gene Kelly, An American in Paris is a musical comedy telling the story of a young American veteran, named Jerry, as he tries to make his name as an artist in the famed city. However as he works to establish himself, he is faced with a difficult choice that could determine his future. While he falls for a young cultured French girl named Lise, he has captured the interest of a wealthy heiress named Milo. Despite Milo claiming to only be interested in his talent as an artist, its clear she wants more, something that Jerry most balance as he pursues Lise but also seeks to earn his place in the Paris art scene. Filled with fun musical and dance numbers, this film will leave you laughing and tapping your feet. It also may inspire you to book a trip to New York to catch the Broadway adaptation. Aside from starring the great Gene Kelly, this Oscar-winning movie was directed by Vincente Minnelli, a master of the musical genre and father of the infamous Liza Minnelli.,
You can watch the trailer here.
Audrey Hepburn delights in this film classic, playing the young assistant 'Gaby' who must help scriptwriter 'Rick' finish his screenplay in just a couple days. Set in Paris, this romance is a great reference to the city and an even better reference to cinema at the time. It even goes a little meta, name-dropping a couple of Audrey Hepburn's films and giving slight references to her work, both prior to the film and to her roles to come. It's a light comedy featuring Hepburn, William Holden, and George Axelrod, with quick appearances - so quick you might blink and miss it - by Tony Curtis, Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra, and Mel Ferrer (Hepburn's husband).
You can enjoy the trailer here.
If this French-language film seems familiar, perhaps you caught the American remake of it – The Upside (2019) featuring Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, Nicole Kidman, Julianna Margulies and Aja Naomi King. However, the remake is hardly equal to the original, lacking the touching sentiment and impact of the French version. Considered one of the most successful French films ever made, this movie was the hit of the festival circuit, earning the César Award for Best Actor (awarded to Omar Sy for his portrayal of Driss).
This film, which is inspired by a true story, tells the story of the touching friendship between Phillipe, a quadriplegic aristocrat, and his caregiver Driss. Philippe is a privileged white male, brought up in a cultured world full of a music, art, and an extensive education. Driss, a young black man, has been incarcerated and comes from a rougher neighbourhood, never afforded the opportunities Philippe has grown accustomed to. Together they educate one another, making each other laugh, and bringing light into the other’s life, ultimately forming a bond to last decades.
Watch the trailer here.
It may be hard to imagine that this is a Martin Scorsese film, but this family-friendly movie set in Paris during the early 1930s is indeed another Scorsese masterpiece. Innocent in content, it is a love letter to Paris and classic cinematic styles born in this city. It's light, heartfelt, and visually stunning - an easy way to be entranced by the city and it's culture.
Be swept away with this famous cast, including Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Jude Law, Sasha Baron Cohen, Christopher Lee, Ray Winstone, Emily Mortimer, Helen McRory, just to name a few.
You can watch the trailer here.
World On Fire (2019-)
An emotional and gripping mini-series from BBC/Masterpiece, this show provides a unique look at those affected by World War 2, ones not often told in film or television. Admittedly this show also takes place in the UK and Poland, but a large portion of the story takes place in Paris, demonstrating how the city managed to survive as the Nazis invaded and made it home.
This stunningly portrayed mini-series, which is wonderfully acted, shows how all parties were affected by the onset of the war, people whose stories often get overlooked, including people of colour, the LGBQT+ community, those with special needs, as well as underground resistance fighters, those who suffer from PTSD and shellshock from the first world war, musicians, and so much more. Plus the series has been greenlit for a second season so there is plenty more content to come and stories to follow.
You can watch the trailer for the first season here.
By no means is this Victor Hugo’s literary classic come to life or another rendition of the Broadway/West-End musical. Instead this 2019 crime-drama by the same name examines the underbelly of a Parisian neighbourhood, where different groups and cultures clash, discovered through the eyes of a cop new to Paris and the Anti-Crime Brigade of Montfermeil. The title of the film references Hugo’s work as the neighbourhood where the plot is centered was home to Hugo at one point in his life.
After something goes wrong on the job, leading to one mistake after another, the main character and his team - who have been using methods he’s hardly agreed with, and continue to do so - must look within themselves to understand how everything unfolded, as well as look to the community to keep the peace. It becomes a balancing act of accepting what has happened and convincing the neighbourhood to as well, rather than having the community revolt. What makes this film unique is that is tells the story through the perspective of a cop, but without trying to demonize the community and make heroes of the policeman. Rather, this movie touches on the complexities of the job and the good and the bad that can be found, the struggles faced by all in certain situations (avoiding specific for spoiler reasons), the socioeconomic effects had on a neighbourhood, and just how “miserable” everyone can be, especially when cultures clash rather than embrace each other,
You can watch the trailer for this French-language film here.
Gossip Girl (2007- 2012) -- Season 4, episodes 1 & 2
If you haven’t already watched this teen classic, it’s time to start, just so you get enjoy the Paris episodes without worrying about spoiler alerts or misunderstanding any plot points. Needless to say, these two episodes - especially the first episode of the season - give a glamorous look at Paris, with great references for shopping and dining, and a brief but comical guide to the two banks of the Seine. For the scenery of Paris alone these episodes would be worth watching, but for anyone looking to indulge a little, there are definitely some names prattled off worth jotting down. As the opening sequence both shows and narrates, here are just a few of the casual references to Parisian spots worth visiting: Café de Flore, Drouant, Ladurée, Michel Cluziel, Chez Julien, the Musée D’Orsay, the brands Zadig & Voltaire and Ba&sh, and the famed department store Printemps. Of course there are just a few of the more famous mentioned among countless other references to spots in the city. So buckle up for the drama of Gossip Girl and the picture=perfect shots of Paris.
Admittedly this Audrey Hepburn film doesn’t spend a lot of time in Paris, the titular character only spending a minuscule portion of the movie in the city, but the effect Paris has on Sabrina and the role is plays in her life has earned this film a spot on the list. Because this movie makes one thing very clear, Paris is always a good idea.
Sabrina Fairchild, the daughter of a chauffeur for the wealthy and prominent Larrabee family, is hopelessly in love with the youngest son, David Larrabee - a man divorced multiple times and consantly on the hunt for love,usually in the form of pretty women. After an incident where Sabrina is left heartbroken and feeling rejected, she leaves for Paris to study at Le Cordon Bleu. After a couple of years abroad, Sabrina finally returns home, now herself a mature and sophisticated young woman - exactly the type to attract David Larrabee.
What ensues is a classic romantic comedy full of misguided notions, self discovery, and finding one’s true love. Spoiler alert, Humphrey Bogart naturally plays opposite to Hepburn as her romantic lead.
You can watch the trailer here.
**You can also watch the 1995 rendition of this film with Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond and Greg Kinnear, which does modernize the story while staying true to the film and the mentality that Paris is a sophisticated escape every young woman should take. The trailer for this version can be seen here.