Guide to Paris Through Classics & Modern Films

Paris has long captured the attention of film makers from around the world. She continues to do so even day. According to the City of Paris website, about 10 scenes are filmed locally every single day of the year. Here are 7 films around which to plan your next trip to Paris:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
Starring Lon Chaney & Patsy Ruth Miller
A Silent Film
The hunchback, Quasimodo is drawn into a rivalry between his master and the Captain of the Guards (who Esmeralda truly loves). Esmeralda's kindness to him wins over Quasimodo's heart and loyalty. He protects her fiercely from the intrigues of his master.
Locations: Cathedrale de Notre Dame.The dramatic architecture of the Cathedral of Notre Dame is a main feature in the film. Today, you can still go up the 400 + steps to view the South Bell Tower where Quasimodo lived in the film and the book.

Funny Face (1957)
Starring Kay Thompson, Audrey Hepburn & Fred Astaire
A Musical Film
Audrey Hepburn, an anti-fashion intellectual takes on a modeling position for the chance to see Paris.
Locations: l'Opera national de Paris, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Orly airport & the Chateau de la Reine Blanche (unfortunately not accessible to the public).

Gigi (1958)
Starring Leslie Caron & Louis Jourdan
A Musical Film
Winner of 9 Oscars including Best Picture, Gigi is the delightful musical story of Gigi, a young courtesan-in-training, and Gaston, a young dandy and family friend, who fall in love. The film provides an interesting glimpse of 1900s Parisian society while poking fun at its expectations for young people. Engaging musical scenes and just plain funny repartees being shot between characters make this one of my mom's all time favorites.
Locations: Bois de Boulogne, Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, Maxim's, Musee Jacquemart-Andre, Palace de la Glace, Parc Monceau, Place Furstenburg, Pont Alexandre III and Tour Eiffel.

Charade (1963)
Starring Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn
A Musical Film
Both Grant & Hepburn won the Golden Globes Best Actor/Actress award for this romantic comedy thriller. Set mainly in Paris, Hepburn finds her husband dead and a secret from his past. As part of a team, he stole money from the US government during the war. The charade begins as everyone is out to get the loot whatever the cost.
Locations: the American Embassy, the roofs building of 26 Rue de Berri, Carre Marigny Stamp Outdoor Market, Centre Gardens-Palais-Royal, Comedie-Francaise, EURESCO-7 Place Fontenoy, Halles de Paris, Hotel Saint-Jacques-35 Rue des Ecoles, Le Cochon a l'oreille Restaurant-15 Rue Montmartre, Metro Palais Royal, Port de la Tournelle, Theatre de Guignol-Jardin Champs Elysees & Theatre du Palais-Royale.

Interview With a Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
Starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, Antonio Banderas & Christian Slater
Based on Anne Rice's novel of the same title, a vampire, Louis tormented recounts his tormented 200 years existence as a vampire to a young reporter. The story takes place both in America and Europe. In Paris, Louis encounters the coven,the Theatre des Vampires. While the audience believes it all to be an act, the vampires boldly feed on humans as part of their show.
Locations: The Theatre des Vampires was shot in UK studio but Louis and Claudia's Paris hotel lobby was filmed at the Opera National de Paris Palais Garnier. Street scenes include the Rue de Rivoli.

The Bourne Identity (2002)
Starring Matt Damon & Franka Polenta
A man who has lost his memory finds himself racing around Europe to discover the truth and escape those who would kill him. Much of the movie was filmed in Paris.
Locations: 104 Avenue Kleber (his apartment), 2 Place de Marche St. Catherine (Treadstone Safe House),Gare du Nord, Hotel Regina, Jardin des Tuileries, Pont Neuf & Pont des Arts.

The DaVinci Code (2006)
Starring Tom Hanks & Audrey Tautou
The murder of a historian in the Louvre begins an epic adventure with his granddaughter and an American symbologist seeking to solve the clues he has left behind. Following a trail of clues and codes left by DaVinci, they race to discover the secret so many are willingly to kill for.
Locations: Eglise Saint-Sulpice, the Musee du Louvre, the Ritz Hotel & Chateau de Vilette (27 miles outside of Paris). There are various tours centering around this movie including one where you can stay at the Chateau de Vilette (Leigh Teabing's residence) click here to learn more.

Sources:

Mairie de Paris (The City of Paris): Cinema: Tourner a Paris (French Language site). < http://www.paris.fr/portail/Culture/Portal.lut?page_id=8358&document_type_id=5&document_id=35687&portlet_id=19409> Accessed on September 23, 2009.

Hub Pages: Amanda Kendle. "Living the Hunchback Story at Notre Dame Cathedral". < http://hubpages.com/hub/Living_the_Hunchback_Story_at_Notre_Dame_Cathedral> Accessed on September 22, 2009.

The World Wide Guide to Movie Locations: The Bourne Identity Film Locations. < http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/bourneid_1.html> Accessed on September 23, 2009.

The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations: The DaVinci Code Film Locations. < http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/d/DaVinciCode.html> Accessed on September 23, 2009.

From the Internet Movie Database Website:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014142/> Accessed on September 22, 2009.
Funny Face (1957). < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050419/> Accessed on September 23, 2009.
Gigi (1958). < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051658/> Accessed on September 23, 2009.
Charade (1963). < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056923/> Accessed on September 23, 2009.
Interview with a Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994). < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110148/> Accessed on September 23, 2009.
The Bourne Identity (2002). < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258463/> Accessed on September 23, 2009.
The DaVinci Code (2006). < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382625/> Accessed on September 23, 2009.