Are you fantasizing about falling in love in Paris, but travel restrictions are holding you back? If so, you might have to settle for a virtual vacation. What is that, you ask?
Virtual traveling is when you use the power of your imagination along with movies, books, and stories to travel somewhere.
Yeah, we know it doesn’t sound quite so appealing as indulging in croissants with a view of the Eiffel tower.
However, for travel addicts who cannot get their fix right now, watching movies about France can help to satisfy your wanderlust somewhat.
As you can imagine, many movies set in Paris are romance films.
However, there are many excellent movies based in France of all genres. So, whatever your film preference, one of these ten movies about France will have you feeling like you’re standing in a Parisian street yourself.
1. Amélie (2001)
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Available on Netflix? No
Despite being labeled a romantic comedy, Amelie is a unique, engaging story with incredible cinematography and innovative soundtracks.
Amelie is a young, naive Parisian girl who is essentially a dreamer with her own imaginative world. She decides to help those around her find happiness, and along the way, discovers love herself.
Amelie was filmed in Paris, mainly in the picturesque neighborhood of Montmartre. One of the most featured places in the film is the cafe where Amelie works. This is a real life café named Café des Deux Moulins.
Other iconic locations from the movie include Abbesses Metro Station and the Sacré-Coeur.
2. Chocolat (2000)
Genre: Romantic Drama
Available on Netflix? No
This French romantic drama is one of Johnny Depp’s lesser-known movies but is still well worth watching, especially if you’re a fan of Depp. It’s a romantic drama with a fair amount of comedic moments and is based on the novel by Joanne Harris.
Chocolat is about a nomadic mother and her daughter who move to a strictly religious French village. Here they challenge the views of the inhabitants of the town by making and selling chocolate during lent.
Most of Chocolat was filmed in France, in the medieval village of Flavigny-Sur-Ozerain in Burgundy. Additionally, some scenes were shot in the picturesque town Beynac-et-Cazena in Dordogne.
This photogenic village features a hilltop castle that sits over the Dordogne river.
3. Before Sunset (2004)
Genre: Romantic Drama
Available on Netflix? No
Before Sunset is an American production set in Paris. It is the sequel to the 1995 movie Before Sunrise, so if you have not seen the first movie, be sure to watch that one first.
In Before Sunrise, two strangers, Celine and Jesse, meet aboard an overnight train in Vienna, where they have a brief but profound encounter. Before Sunset picks up the story nine years later where they cross paths again in Paris.
Before Sunset is one of the best movies about France because it was filmed entirely in Paris.
Therefore, whether you have had your own love story in the French City or dream of visiting, you’ll get to see a large part of the city during this 100-minute movie.
Some of the most iconic locations you’ll notice are Quai Henri-IV, Promenade Plantée, Le Pure Café, and the Shakespeare & Company Bookstore.
4. The Intouchables (2011)
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Available on Netflix? Yes
The Intouchables is a refreshing buddy comedy-drama about an unusual friendship between an immigrant and a French nobleman. The film is inspired by the true story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his French-Moroccan caregiver Abdel Sellou.
This heartwarming film shows us the beautiful side of humanity. Although it’s a tearjerker at times, there are many funny moments, too.
Most of the Intouchables is filmed in Paris and features some of the city’s most famous hotels, cafes, and landmarks, such as Hôtel d’Avaray, which is used as Philippe’s home.
Furthermore, one of the film’s most memorable scenes takes place at Mont Bisanne in Villard-sur-Doron.
5. Hugo (2011)
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy
Available on Netflix? Yes
Hugo is a genuinely unique fantasy film set in the 1930s about an orphan named Hugo who lives in the walls of a train station in Paris.
Hugo’s dream is to fix the automation of a clock tower that his late father worked on before passing away. The film has a strong theme of never giving up and will surely pull on your heartstrings!
Hugo was filmed both in France and the UK. All the French filming locations were in Paris, and it is one of the best movies with France landmarks featured in it.
You’ll see many recognisable sights, such as Théâtre de l’Athénée, Square de l’Opéra-Louis-Jouvet, and Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève.
6. As Above, So Below (2014)
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Available on Netflix? Yes
As Above, So Below is an American-produced horror movie set in Paris. The movie’s main character is Archaeologist Scarlett Marlowe. She is searching for one of history’s greatest treasures, the Flamel’s Philosopher’s Stone, which is believed to grant eternal life.
When Scarlett learns her desired treasure is hidden underground in the Catacombs of Paris, she travels to the city with her crew. However, what they discover is a web of dark secrets.
While this film does not display the country’s beauty, it is shot in the actual Catacombs of Paris. This small tunnel network holds the remains of more than six million people.
Parts of the Catacombs are open to the public, and it’s a popular yet eerie attraction in Paris. Therefore, if you like to visit spooky attractions while traveling, this is a fantastic film to watch ahead of your Paris trip.
7. Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
Genre: Romance
Available on Netflix? Yes
The independent French production ‘Blue is the Warmest Color’ is not your typical romance. Instead, it’s the love story between a French teenager, Adele, and an older art student, Emma, with iconic blue hair.
Adele is desperate to find a boyfriend; however, her world changes when she meets this intriguing girl with blue hair.
Emma guides Adele to discover desire and teaches her to assert herself as a woman. This award-winning film is controversial and erotic but does a fantastic job of addressing lesbianism in modern-day society.
Blue is the Warmest Color was filmed in the north of France in the region Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Some iconic locations are Place Richebé in Lille, La Piscine Museum in Roubaix, Lille-Flandres railway station and Le square Daubenton.
For anyone who has traveled around the north of France, this movie will undoubtedly make you feel nostalgic.
8. Girlhood (2014)
Genre: Drama
Available on Netflix? No
Another female-focused French movie is Girlhood, a gritty coming-of-age tale about an African-French girl gang in a poor neighborhood in Paris.
The story centers around Marieme, who is the gang’s latest recruit. Lacking prospects and confidence, Marieme believes being part of the gang will lead to a better life. However, she soon realizes this is not the case.
While this movie will probably not have you itching to book a flight, it will open your mind to another side of Paris. Likewise, you won’t see any famous landmarks, as the movie is filmed in the eastern suburb of Bagnolet.
However, some scenes are at the major complex La Défense and the Forum des Halles shopping mall.
9. Taken (2018)
Genre: Action/Thriller
Available on Netflix? Not in the USA
The 2018 action thriller Taken, which stars Liam Neeson, is one of the most popular movies set in Paris. The plot follows an ex-Secret Service agent who travels to Paris to search for his teenage daughter abducted by human traffickers.
Now, with a storyline like this, Taken is probably not the movie to watch if you’re looking for inspiration for your next vacation! Even so, it’s an incredible film that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Taken was filmed between The USA and France, with many scenes in Paris. One famous Parisian spot you might notice is Avenue des Champs-Élysées, often described as ‘the world’s most beautiful avenue.’ Some scenes were also filmed in Seine-Saint-Denis, just outside the capital city.
10. Les Misérables (2012)
Genre: Musical Drama
Available on Netflix? Yes
The epic musical film Les Miserables is based on the French historical novel by Victor Hugo. Set in 19th-century France, the film centers around Jean Valjean, an ex-prisoner who broke parole years ago.
To start a new life, Jean becomes the caretaker of a young orphaned girl. However, shortly after, his past comes back to haunt him. This almost 3-hour film displays the resilience and courage of the human spirit.
Moreover, the musical element significantly adds to the emotion of the story.
Unfortunately, despite being one of the most well-known movies set in France, much of Les Miserables was shot in the UK. However, some opening and closing scenes were filmed in Gourdon in the south of France, about five miles from Grasse.
Final Thoughts On Movies About France
You may be surprised at the diverse range of France movies that have been made.
Whether you want to relive your own love story in Paris or learn more about the country, watching movies about France is a great way to immerse yourself in French culture.
Want to watch more travel movies? Read one of the blog posts below:
