Feb 21st, 2018, 07:41 PM

Hey, I Know That Place!

By Laurence Hewitt
Image Credit: Flickr/ Katchoo
Relive your favorite film moments while in Paris.

Real life is a solid B- at best. So in an effort to help you recapture moments of movie magic, I have created the perfect guide to famous films spots around the city of Paris. With all my might, I have tried to remove my personal opinions of the movies while creating this list (Amélie is overrated there I said it!), so as to create a totally non-biased guide (La La Land rules deal with it). Given Hollywood's affection for this city it's no surprise that many films have come here, and more impressively managed to carve out their own unique spots in the city. The filmmakers often take advantage of Paris due to its rich history, and unlike London or New York, much of Paris hasn't changed. Places like Montmartre still have an undefinable quality, like stepping back in time, and films love nothing more than nostalgia.  

1. Bir Hakeim Bridge - Inception



Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Bruxelles5

Good news, the bridge looks just as cool in real life as it does in the movies. Bad news, the police do not take kindly to people trying to install giant mirrors on it. The bridge features in one of Adriane's (Ellen Page) first forays into the dream world, with Dom (Leonardo Dicaprio) showing her the true extent of the dream world. Out of all the film locations on this list, this is probably my favorite. Partly because (out of all of these films) I like Inception the most and in part, because no matter how many times I've walked across it, I still feel in awe each time. I imagine director Christopher Nolan picked this particular bridge because there is a certain dreamlike quality to it, especially at night, which I think would be the best time to visit. 

Address: 2 Quai de Grenelle, 75015 Paris

2. Cafe des Deux Moulins - Amélie



Image Credit: Wikimedia Commomns/ Mario Sánchez Prada

No personal thoughts here. It's a place from a movie a lot of people like, and if you're one of those who do, then enjoy this quaint cafe made famous by the ultimate kooky girl. Personal reservations about certain titular characters aside, the cafe is actually quite nice, and better yet for a place so heavily featured in a very popular movie, the prices aren't a total ripoff.

Address: 15 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris

3. Promenade Plantée - Before Sunset



Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Twice25

Many locations in Paris could be visited to reminisce the scenes from Before Sunset. However, if I had to pick a specific place then I'd pick this half-garden, half-train tack spot. Before Sunset holds a special place in my heart, it was one of the first "serious" films I remember seeing as a kid, watching these two struggling lovers wander through the city talking about everything from the meaning of life to drinks struck a chord with me. Being in Promenade was a strong reminder of how beautiful this city can be sometimes. Founded in 1993 these former train tracks of the Vincennes Line were smartly re-purposed as a tourist destination. For many years, this attraction was a one of a kind spot until 2009 when Manhattan started working on their High Line. The walk itself is a truly unique vantage point, to see the city from above makes you feel like some sort of benevolent god. The Promenade stretches 4.7km and starts at 1 Coulée verte René-Dumont in the 12th arrondissement. 

4. La Tour d'Argent - Ratatouille 



Image Credit: Wikimedia/WT-shared

The ultimate case of life meeting film- now you too can be animated. This building is almost as hard to spot as its film title is to spell. The restaurant itself is one of the few places on this list I haven't been to, mostly because it's very expensive and they let rats cook in a kitchen. I don't care how adorable the rat is, or how well-intentioned he is, or how he helps a man find love, I'm not eating in a place with such a disregard for health and safety. Still, nice looking building. The Michelin star restaurants specialty is Duck, sadly not Ratatouille. The more interesting fact is that the restaurant's wine cellar is guarded around the clock and has over 450,000 bottles of wine. So go forth, eat very expensive duck and indulge in wine while overlooking the Seine. 

Address: 17 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris

5. Bistrot La Renaissance - Inglourious Basterds 



Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Myrabella

Have you ever thought a first date wasn't tense enough?  If yes, then ratchet up the tension and go to Bistrot La Renaissance and recreate all you're favorite moments from Inglourious Basterds, you strange, strange person. The bistrot is actually the only thing in the film which was filmed on location in Paris. If Tarantino saw something special in it, I'm sure you will too. Best case, your date likes the movie; worse case, your date likes the movie and thinks it's super strange. Either way, give this bistrot in the 18th arrondissement a shot. The cafe itself makes its debut in the film for its old-school look, which isn't saying much in Paris, however, the stained glass windows and secluded booths make the cafe a unique experience and visual treat. 

Address: 112 Rue Championnet, 75018 Paris

6. Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church - Midnight in Paris



Image Credit: Wikiemedia Commons/ Pline

In keeping with the whole theme of escaping real life, where better to do that than on the steps from a movie about escaping real life. Sadly, it probably won't be as quiet as you'd like as the surrounding area is littered with bars and restaurants. So even though Owen Wilson never had to deal with random drunkards while sitting on the church steps waiting to be whisked away, you might have to if this barrier of entry is low enough you'll find the steps on the side of the church at Place Sainte-Geneviéve in the 5th. The church itself was opened in 1624 after a long construction period (the groundbreaking had taken place in 1494). To be frank, the inside of the church is pretty boring. All things considered, it's a church like every other, and it lacks that special something. The outside, however, creates the perfect Parisian evening backdrop with the old, white cracked bricks and wide steps.  

Address: Place Sainte-Geneviève, 75005 Paris

 

7. Place Sainte-Catherine - The Bourne Identity



Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Emdx

It's nearing midnight, the streets seem quiet... almost too quiet. You're waiting for a message, you don't know who is coming and you don't know when you just know a place. The wind rustles slightly, you turn around and BOOM! MATT DAMON IS BEATING YOU TO DEATH! So overall, I would recommend. If Matt Damon death isn't your fancy (but let's be honest it's how we all want to go), the square itself has quite a few nice spots dotted around, plus it's in the heart of the Marais, so even if you don't want to feel like a spy, you can at least buy a nice new hat or something. The square itself is such a blink-and-you'll-miss-it place, I probably walked through it countless times without ever looking around. I imagine that low-key vibe is why Treadstone picked it as their headquarters. 

8. The Eiffel Tower - Rush Hour 3 



Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Taxiarchos228

Now you definitely have no excuse for not going. I mean come on what else am I meant to say:  Jackie Chan fights on this thing and then climbs around it like the madman he is. COME ON PEOPLE! THAT IS COOL! 

Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris

9. Moulin Rouge - Moulin Rouge! 



Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Selby

Disappointment, thy name is Rouge. It's really not what I wanted it to be; it's at least 85% seedier and smaller than I hoped. Still, it's an iconic place, maybe just get a quick view out of your taxi window when you pass by. While there are no fantastic love stories, mash-ups of famous songs, or even a giant elephant in which a woman with tuberculosis lives. There is still that windmill and even that is pretty small. However, if your life is just going a bit too well and you need to be dragged back down to reality, you can find the Moulin Rouge in the 18th arrondissement.

Address: 82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris

10. Le Caveau du Huchette - La La Land



Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Richardprins

Yes, it only appears for about 15 seconds. No, that probably isn't enough to include it. However, I'm including it anyway, and you're reading it, so deal with it.  All that matters is that it's partly where La La Land's tour de force ending was filmed which, mark my words, will be more fondly remembered than anything about (looks at the list of best picture nominees from 2016) Hacksaw Ridge. So why suggest yet another blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot?  Well, a simple reason: La La Land rules, it's a movie with such a pure heart about the struggles of accepting your own shortcomings. If university life is about one thing, it's about accepting that life is hard. This small jazz club is a truly charming place. Yes, I admit that I am totally won over by its film status but that doesn't mean it's not a good time. Even though it's not the same place it used to be, with The Beatles playing there 300 times (reportedly), it's still a lively spot with great music for all jazz lovers. To relive the cinematic embodiment of accepting life isn't fair, you too can visit this 16th-century jazz club in the 5th arrondissement. 

Address: 5 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris