These Are The Top 8 Destinations To Visit in France Based On Your Favorite Movies

Last updated on March 27th, 2024 at 08:19 am

It’s no secret that movies play a big part in where we want to spend our vacations. They inspire us, take us out of ourselves and have us dreaming about visiting the dreamy locations we’ve seen in films and on TV.

From how we travel to where we travel, the way movies showcase these faraway countries and cities greatly impact us.

Hollywood blockbusters take relatively unknown places and suddenly shoot to the top of everyone’s travel bucket list.

The set-jetting trend of 2023 is showing no signs of slowing down in 2024, quite the opposite.

And France has had its fair share of those Hollywood moments over the years, and more recently with TV shows such as Emily in France.

But which are the top destinations to visit in France if you want to relive one of your favourite movies?

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The Top 7 Destinations To Visit in France Based On Your Favorite Movies

It showcases the stunning scenery of Provence, offering viewers a picturesque glimpse into the region’s vineyards, villages, and landscapes. It’s the movie that first made me want to go to Provence.

Château la Canorgue in Luberon is the primary setting for the film’s vineyard scenes. It’s a real, working vineyard, and although it’s not open to the public, you can order their wine and enjoy the breathtaking views that encapsulate the essence of Provence. 

The hilltop village of Bonnieux showcases the quintessential charm of Provence, with stone houses, narrow streets, and panoramic views and is where some of the film’s key scenes are set.

The scene of the memorable outdoor dinner takes place around the pond in Cucuron, another picturesque village in the Luberon area. The village’s quaint atmosphere and beautiful surroundings capture the laid-back lifestyle showcased in the movie.

Sarlat-la-Canéda is a medieval town in the Dordogne region of Southwest France and is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and historic charm. 

You feel as though you’re stepping back in time with its cobblestone streets, Gothic and Renaissance buildings, and market square. It’s also the home of the Truffle Festival, held yearly in January.

​​Château de Hautefort and Château de Fénélon were both used in the film as locations for the fairytale castle and are open to the public to visit.

Sarlat was also used in the filming of the 1998 movie The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc.

Filmed in 2000 and starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp and Judi Dench, the movie tells the story of Vianne Rocher, a single mother who moves to a conservative village in rural France and opens a chocolaterie during Lent. 

Her chocolates quickly begin to change the lives of the townspeople, sparking a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and transformation within the community.

Walking through Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, nothing has really changed, and it’s as though you’re stepping onto the set of “Chocolat.” The village’s cobbled streets, ancient buildings, and tranquil ambience mirror the movie’s setting.

Although the actual chocolaterie from the movie was a set, the spirit of the chocolate shop can be felt throughout Flavigny. 

The village is famous for its Anis de Flavigny candies, produced in the ancient Abbey of Flavigny, which you can visit.

Carcassonne is a walled city in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, renowned for its medieval citadel, La Cité, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

This historic fortress features double-walled fortifications, a castle, and numerous watchtowers. Its cobbled streets, Gothic cathedral, and picturesque buildings transport visitors back in time, making it an ideal filming location for period pieces and historical films.

As well as Robin Hood, it was also the setting for the Kate Mosse Trilogy of books and the first book, Labyrinth, was made into a TV Mini-Series in 2012 and filmed here in the city and surrounding areas.

Visitors can explore the Château Comtal, the inner ramparts, and the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus within La Cité, featured in both.

One of my favourites is a movie called Monte Carlo, starring Selena Gomez and filmed in 2011.

In the film, Selena Gomez’s character is mistaken for a wealthy socialite, leading to a series of adventures and romantic entanglements set against the backdrop of Monte Carlo.

Key scenes are set in and around the fictional Hotel de Paris, situated in the heart of Monte Carlo, near the famous Casino Square. The film captures the essence of Monte Carlo’s luxury, from its grand hotels and exquisite casinos to the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.

It was also the setting for the GoldenEye, the 1995 James Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan, and Iron Man 2, released in 2010.

No 6 Lyon – (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

Paris Can Wait, filmed in 2016, stars Diane Lane as Anne, who embarks on a road trip from Cannes to Paris with her husband’s business associate, played by Arnaud Viard. The film is a delightful journey through France’s picturesque landscapes, renowned cuisine, and rich culture, with a significant portion of the story unfolding in and around Lyon, known as the gastronomic capital of France.

While the movie does not focus on specific landmarks within Lyon, it captures the essence of the city’s renowned culinary scene through scenes set in local restaurants and markets, showcasing the region’s gastronomic delights. 

The characters indulge in the pleasures of French cuisine, reflecting Lyon’s status as a hub for food lovers. And the film does a great job of emphasising the city’s charm and the importance of taking the time to enjoy life’s journey, with its leisurely pace allowing viewers to savour the beauty of the French countryside. 

Although ‘Paris Can Wait’ is more about the journey than specific destinations, its passage through Lyon highlights the city’s appeal as a destination for those seeking to experience the art of French living.

No 7 Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val (Tarn-et-Garonne)

Sticking with the theme of food, we move on to The Hundred-Foot Journey, filmed in 2014 and starring Helen Mirren. Set in the sleepy village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, it tells the story of the Kadam family. 

After leaving India, opens an Indian restaurant in the village, directly across the street from a Michelin-starred French restaurant owned by the formidable Madame Mallory (played by Mirren). 

The ensuing rivalry eventually gives way to mutual respect and a blend of the two culinary cultures.

Little was needed in the way of set building, as the village provided a perfect backdrop for the film’s exploration of cultural contrasts and harmonies. The narrow cobblestone streets, ancient facades, and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape contribute significantly, enhancing the story’s themes of home, belonging, and the fusion of different culinary traditions.

Visitors to Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val can walk the same streets featured in the film and explore the local market that plays a pivotal role in several scenes.

No 8 Paris (Île-de-France)

You can’t write about movie destinations in France without mentioning Paris, the City of Love and the City of Light. 

So many movies have been set here including, Amélie set mainly in Montmatre, Julie Julia, La Vie En Rose and Midnight in Paris, to name but a few.

But one of my favourite places to visit in Paris is Palais Garnier, featured in the movie Phantom of the Opera.

And of course, with Disneyland Paris here too, it had to be added to the list.

FAQS: Movie Destinations in France

Final thoughts: Movie Sets to Visit in France

Whether it’s the lavender fields of Provence or the Eiffel Tower in Paris, there are plenty of movie sets in France for you to visit.

And don’t forget, the Palace of Versailles has also been the setting for many movies, including plenty about Marie Antoinette.