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Home > travel-blog > France > Paris > Movies to Watch Before Your Trip to Paris
movies set in paris

Movies to Watch Before Your Trip to Paris

Sean Finelli Last Updated: January 29, 2025

As you’re preparing for your trip to Paris, you might find yourself making hotel reservations, booking tours in Paris (we sell em!) or packing your suitcase. Getting ready for your trip doesn’t have to be all work. Before taking off, watch one (or more) of these five movies set in Paris.  Maybe you’ll recognize one of the scenes!


Pro Tip

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Midnight in Paris

“Midnight in Paris” is perhaps the movie to watch before you go on vacation.

In the film, Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams star as an engaged couple who take a trip to Paris.

The main character, Gil, is completely enchanted with Paris and starts taking long walks at night – only to be mysteriously transported back in time to Paris in the 1920s!

The movie features great scenes of Paris streets and monuments, including the Palace of Versailles, the Musée Rodin and the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Owen Wilson’s character is so in love with Paris, it’ll make you fall in love with it as well.

Paris Je T’aime

As you may or may not already know, the city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or neighborhoods.

“Paris, je t’aime” is a collection of 18 short films that each take place in different arrondissements around the city.

You’ll be inspired by neighborhoods in Paris that you might now know existed, and will get great ideas for your upcoming French vacation.

Included in this collection of short films is a story about a young photographer who falls in love with a girl in a printer’s shop in Le Marais.

Not only is this famous and vibrant neighborhood the home of the Picasso Museum, but it also features some of the best falafel in Paris.

If you’re so inclined, learn all about it on a Paris food tour in Le Marais.

Ratatouille

Yes, this is an animated movie, but it oozes Paris! “Ratatouille” is the heartwarming story of a rat living in Paris who dreams of becoming a chef.

To achieve his goal, he teams up with a young Parisian working as a garbage boy in one of the city’s top restaurants.

Of course, rats aren’t exactly welcome in restaurant kitchens, so hilarity ensues as the garbage boy keeps his new friend a secret.

If you’re planning on visiting Paris with kids, this is a great movie to watch before your trip. “Ratatouille” is a great way to get your taste buds excited for your trip, as well!

Before Sunset

A movie that truly romanticizes Paris, “Before Sunset” has scenes set on a Seine River cruise boat, as well as inside a famous Parisian bookstore and various cafés.

The movie is actually the second film of a trilogy: in the first movie, two young travelers meet and spend the afternoon in Vienna together.

Now years later, they reconnect in Paris for a few hours.

The city is the perfect setting for the movie, where viewers watch an old flame being rekindled. 

By the end, you’ll be dreaming of your own love story in Paris!


I Want More Paris!

  • Not sure what to do in Paris? Check out our step-by-step guide about how to do Paris in a Day. If you’d rather let us guide you, check out our Paris tours.
  • Parlez-Vous Francais? Learn some of the most important French phrases before your trip to Paris.
  • Follow our European adventures on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Then, comment and tell us what you want us to cover next.
Movies to Watch Before Your Trip to Paris Pinterest

About Sean Finelli

Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!

Reader Interactions

Comment (1)

  1. Ada

    May 26, 2023

    Kiss of the Dragon and The Da Vinci Code are also a good choice

    Reply

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