Anyone who’s been to France knows it is a beautiful and romantic country. Here are a few movies that make the country look its best.
Amélie
The 2001 film has become a classic. Mostly because of the enchanting lead actress Audrey Tautou. Paris at its most quirky and adorable.
Funny Face
Audrey Hepburn was only 27 when she filmed Funny Face with Fred Astaire. But, she was already a Hollywood icon, having won the Oscar for best actress (Roman Holiday) four years earlier.
In Funny Face, Ms. Hepburn dances and sings for the first time on screen as a shy bookstore employee who becomes a famous model in Paris.
Audrey is lovely in all the beautiful clothes and Paris as a backdrop doesn’t disappoint either. For more Audrey in Paris, check out Sabrina, although there’s less of the City of Lights in this feature.
The Triplets of Belleville
A brilliant animated film filled with oddball characters. Of course, since it’s animated, you can’t really visit the places depicted. However, The Triplets of Belleville, with almost dialogue, will transport you to France.
C’était un rendez-vous
What do the streets of Paris look like at 100+ mph? This 9 minute movie from 1976 answers that question.
Swimming Pool
A sexy thriller starring the incredibly talented Charlotte Rampling. Shot in the south of France, where everything is sexier.
To Catch a Thief
Speaking of the south of France, Alfred Hitchcock enlisted Cary Grant and the radiant Grace Kelly in this heist movie shot on the French Riviera. The car chase scene in the movie is supposedly not far from where Grace Kelly (by then known as Princess Grace) died in a car accident.
Last Tango in Paris
Originally given an X rating for its graphic sex scenes, Last Tango in Paris also has some great shots of a mournful Marlon Brando walking in the city.
Brice de Nice
A comedy with a genius concept. Brice is surfer dude from Nice. Only problem, there’s no waves in Nice. So, he heads to the Atlantic Ocean side of France for a surfing contest. Hilarity ensues.
The Dreamers
A love triangle set during the 1968 student riots in Paris. This movie also features clips from classic French films.
Two for the Road
This 1967 romantic comedy has not aged well. The dialogue, which was probably supposed to be witty and snappy, seems mean and ugly. This movie also accomplishes the seemingly impossible task of making a character played by Audrey Hepburn unlikable. Albert Finney’s character is a jerk, as well.
But, the countryside and French villages are charming and the cars are beyond cool.
About the Author
Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz Press) and the short story collection “That Bird.” He’s also written dozens of foodie travel guides to cities around the world on Destination Eat Drink, including in-depth eating and drinking guides to Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Monsaraz, and Evora in Portugal. Brent’s podcast, also called Destination Eat Drink, is available on all major podcasting platforms and is distributed by the Radio Misfits Podcast Network.
