12 movies to inspire you before your trip to Paris
Planning a trip to Paris is exciting, but watching a few films set in the City of Light can take your anticipation to the next level.
Paris has long been a muse for filmmakers; after all, with its charming streets, so many iconic landmarks, and a rich history, it is easy to feel inspired to create a new story.
Whether you’re looking to soak in the artistic atmosphere of Montmartre, unravel a historical mystery at the Louvre, or simply get swept up in the city’s timeless romance, these movies will transport you to Paris before you even arrive.
Here are some of the best movies to watch that will spark your wanderlust and leave you eager to explore every corner of this magical city.
An American in Paris (1951)
I’m not a huge fan of musicals, but I will try to do it justice.
The movie tells the story of Jerry Mulligan, an American painter who moves to Paris and falls in love with a French girl.
The movie is very colorful and fun, also very 50’s-style, so if you are into vintage things, I’m sure you will love it.
Sabrina (1954)
Audrey Hepburn is in the movie.
I could stop here.
Sabrina is the daughter of a wealthy family’s chauffeur and returns from Paris completely changed after attending a cooking school.
Now she is a sophisticated woman (of course, she is Audrey Hepburn after all) and catches the attention of not one, but the two brothers of the wealthy family.
The movie is in black and white; not everybody is a fan of black and white movies, but it catches the classy vibe of Paris very well.
Amélie (2001)
Of the recent movies set in Paris, Amélie is probably the most popular.
It tells the story of Amélie Poulain, a shy and imaginative woman who works in a café.
The movie is set in Montmartre, a charming neighborhood of Paris, which is popular for its iconic landmarks such as the Sacré-Coeur, and of course, the Café des Deux Moulins, the café where Amélie works.
The café can be visited, and they even sell the “Le Menu D’Amélie, a menu inspired by the movie.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Set in the bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre, this musical tells the story of
Christian, a young writer who falls in love with Satine, a star of the Moulin Rouge cabaret.
It is a fun movie, with lots of music and dance.
Again, I’m not into musicals, but the movie matches the vibes of the Montmartre neighborhood, so it is a fun experience to watch it before your trip.
Before Sunset (2004)
This romantic drama is a sequel to the movie “Before Sunrise” (1995).
In this second movie, Jesse and Céline reunite in Paris, and during a stroll, they reconnect and recollect their memories.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
In my opinion, this is the most beautiful movie about Marie Antoinette created so far.
Based on the biography of Marie Antoinette, the movie tells her story from her arrival at the French Court and all the struggles of living in such a place, alongside its glamour as well, to the dramatic moment in her life when she is taken hostage, finally leading to her death.
The focus of the movie is on her life and not her death, and I believe they told her story beautifully.
Da Vinci Code (2006)
Based on a mystery thriller novel by Dan Brown, Da Vinci Code revived the mystery surrounding the Mona Lisa and other of Da Vinci’s artworks.
The movie is set in an environment so realistic that many people believe the story to be true to this day!
The movie covers themes such as secret societies, religious conspiracies, and symbolism.
Paris Je T’aime (2006)
Well, we all know Paris as the city of Love, and this is what this movie is about.
Paris Je T’aime is actually a collection of 18 short films, each one of them is set in a different neighborhood of the city, and it depicts the different the many different forms of love.
It is a nice movie to watch if you want to see Paris from different perspectives and in different locations and get a feeling of what each neighborhood is like.
Ratatouille (2007)
Of course, we cannot forget this beautiful animation by Pixar Studios.
Ratatouille is not only a travel inspiration but also a gastronomic one!
In the movie, we follow Remi, a rat who dreams about becoming a chef. He makes his way to one of the most renowned restaurants in Paris where he disguises himself and starts working through a human called Linguini.
Coco Before Chanel (2009)
It follows the early life of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel before she became one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century.
The film traces her journey from a difficult childhood and modest beginnings as a singer and seamstress to her first steps into the world of fashion.
It also explores her relationships, independence, and determination to challenge the restrictive clothing and social conventions of her time.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
A fun movie that brings you back in time to Paris in 1920, a dream come true for some art and history lovers, me included!
In the movie, we follow Gil Pender, a disillusioned screenwriter who is spending a vacation in Paris with his fiancee.
One night, while wandering through the streets of Paris alone, Gil mysteriously gets transported back to 1920, a period of time that he so idealized. There he meets famous artists such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dali, and Picasso.
Hugo (2011)
Although Hugo doesn’t show much of Paris, it does tell a story deeply linked to the city.
The movie is set in 1930 and tells a magical story about Hugo Cabret, a boy who lives in a train station.
Hugo finds himself involved in a mystery surrounding his late father and a mechanical automaton.
It was one of the first and most renowned 3D movies, so if you have the chance to watch it in 3D, I super recommend it.
Les Miserables (2012)
I’m not a huge fan of musicals, but this is a traditional one and a must if you love art of any kind.
Les Miserables is based on a novel, written by Victor Hugo in 1862, and set in the early 19th century, on the verge of the June Rebellion of 1832.
The movie covers themes such as social justice, poverty, love, and sacrifice, showing the reality of Paris in those years.
Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (2022)
If you like fashion, this is a movie for you.
Mrs Harris is a British housekeeper who dreams of owning a couture dress (who doesn’t, right!), so she travels to Paris, to buy a Dior gown, and ends up inspiring change at the fashion house.
The movie gave me “The Devil Wears Prada” vibes, so if you liked that movie, I’m sure you will like this one as well.
Napoleon (2023)
The most recent movie on this list, with Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte.
This is one of the movies on this list that I like the most, it’s a true masterpiece and one of the best interpretations of Napoleon that I have ever seen.
The movie is perfect for historian freaks like me, as it explores Napoleon’s rise to power during the French Revolution, his military conquests, and his tumultuous relationship with Josephine.
It is an engaging movie, that gives you a good idea about the man behind the myth.
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