It’s hard to decide which I enjoyed more: my trip to Paris or seeing the movie “Midnight in Paris.” This Woody Allen film is one of my favorites because it captures the essence of Paris and really explains why I moved abroad. From the opening scene with “Si Tu Vois Ma Mere” playing, to the various scenes of Paris, to the classic bars and restaurants of 1920s Paris, “Midnight in Paris” makes you want to get on a plane and go.
On a recent trip to Paris, I knew I had to seek out iconic scenes and filming locations from the movie Midnight in Paris, as well as my favorite lines from the movie.
There are so many great quotes about Paris. Paris is a city that inspires romanticism, drama and art. But “Midnight in Paris” has some of my favorite quotes about Paris. I’ll share them with you along with the locations from the movie. Enjoy the spectacular scenery that will take you back in time and transport you to Paris.
The film tells the story of Gilles, a writer obsessed with the past and dreaming of the golden age of Paris in the 1920s, who is visiting the city with his cocky fiancée and her snobby parents. Gilles and Inès (the fiancé) buy overpriced antique chairs, drink fine wines in trendy rooftop bars, and chance encounter couples who travel around Paris to spend time together.
After all, who wouldn’t want to travel back to the 1920s and have a brandy with Fitzgerald, get in a fight with Hemingway, see Picasso’s latest work, or have a surreal experience with Dali? The best part? Nearly historically accurate And these iconic writers and artists lived in Paris at the time.
While walking through the streets of Paris at midnight, something strange happens to the protagonist, Gilles: an old Peugeot car drives down the street and Gilles literally travels back in time. He is transported back to the 1920s, where he finds his love for Paris even stronger and begins to realize his true dream.
“Can you imagine how beautiful this city is in the rain? Imagine this city in the 1920s. Paris in the rain in the 1920s, artists and writers.”
Below I have created a map showing all the filming locations.
caveat: There will be spoilers for those who haven’t seen the movie yet!
“There’s no city like this in the world. Never before!” Gil and Inez said. Monet’s Garden In the opening scene, we stand on a bridge admiring the place where Monet drew inspiration for many of his works. Monet’s gardens are an easy day trip from Paris, just over an hour by train or car. Claude Monet’s Water Garden, Giverny, Eure, FranceIt is located at 84 Rue Claude Monet, opposite Monet’s house.
They stay Hotel Bristol Many scenes for the movie were shot in the dining room, guest rooms and outside. It has a fancy exterior and exudes Parisian charm. You can check it out here: Hotel Le Bristol, 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, France.
“I’m not a Francophile,” says Ines’s father. The Grand Vefour This is where Ines, Gil and her parents have lunch. The restaurant is really nice and well worth the walk. 17 Boulevard Beaujolais.
“You know, nostalgia is denial. Denial of a painful reality” – Paul talking about how ridiculous Gil’s book is. Versailles Another must-see for day trips outside of Paris, this historic palace is also where Gilles and Inès and their friends stroll through the gardens and discuss Gilles’ books. Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France.
“Yes, sex and alcohol stimulate desire, but they kill performance,” Paul says, sipping wine at a rooftop bar overlooking the city, with the glittering Eiffel Tower in the background. Hotel Le MeuriceRue La Belle Etoile, located at 228 Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France, is another lovely street perfect for shopping and strolling.
I also recommend The Peninsula Paris Enjoy spectacular rooftop views of the Eiffel Tower. 19 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris, France.
“Midnight walks are great for creativity!” Gil explains to Inès why he continues to take walks at night. I agree. The best way to experience Paris is to take a walk. At night, the Eiffel Tower sparkles, the buildings light up and the city comes alive. Gil gets lost and, as the clock strikes midnight, he finds a 1920s car and hops in. This is the place. Rue Mouffetard, Rue Édouard Quenu, Paris, France.
The staircase itself is located very close to the Pantheon. Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, Place Basset, Paris, France.
“I believe that love is true and will bring rest from death” – Ernest Hemingway. That’s exactly what Hemingway’s character in the film is like. Gil meets Hemingway. PolydorThis restaurant on the Left Bank of Paris is still very popular today. The restaurant has a similar atmosphere to that of the 1920s, when many famous people visited. Polydor 41 Rue Monsieur le Prince, Paris, France.
“Cheap is cheap,” Inez’s mother tells Gill, who is surprised to hear that an antique chair has a price tag of Rs 18,000. The shop is located at 112 Boulevard de Courcelles in Paris, France.
“I love it. I’m obsessed.” That’s Adriana’s reaction after hearing the opening chapter of Gil’s book.
“A pedantic bastard.” Inez’s friend, Paul, ends up getting into an argument with the tour guide while visiting the Rodin Museum, a simple stroll through Paris to learn more about Rodin’s work. Rodin Museum, 79 Rue de Varenne, Paris, France.
The museum grounds are beautiful and a great place to stroll around, or perhaps get some inspiration from the film.
“I’d like to think I’m one of Linda and Cole’s closest friends,” Gil tells Gabrielle, a young woman working at a flea market selling old vinyl records and memorabilia. This is the world’s largest antiques market, Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, 96-110 Rue des Rosiers, Le Marché Paul Bart, Saint-Ouen, France.
“He’s distracted by the fact that she was a total volcano in bed.” In the beautiful Musée de l’Orangerie in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, France, Gil is arguing with Paul over Picasso paintings.
After dancing at an outdoor festival, Adriana and Gil decide to explore the city at night. “I can’t decide whether Paris is more beautiful by day or by night.” – Adriana
“No, you can’t. You can’t choose one or the other. I mean, I can make checkmate arguments for each side. Look, I sometimes think who could come up with books or paintings or symphonies or sculptures to rival a great city? You can’t. Because when you look around, every street, every boulevard is its own special art form, and when you think of the cold, violent, meaningless universe in which Paris exists, and you see these lights – these lights, cafes, people drinking and singing – from the far reaches of the universe, where nothing is going on on Jupiter or Neptune, Paris is the hottest place in the universe, as far as we know.” – Gill
Here we are walking on the Île de la Cité near Restaurant Paul. 17 Place Dauphin, Paris, FranceThe backdrop of Montmartre then surrounds them, which was a gathering place for many artists in 1920s Paris, and they are also seen descending the steps of Montmartre. Rue du Chevalier-de-La-Barre, Paris, FranceYou can see the Sacre Coeur from here.
Gertrude Stein was an American who lived in Paris and edited the works of Hemingway and others. Stein edited Gil’s book and wrote that “the artist’s task is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote to the emptiness of existence.” Gil picks up the book along the Seine, which is now filled with stalls selling old books, art and collectibles. This street is Montebello Riverfront.
“You’re too rich for me,” Inez’s father says over dinner at a hotel, and he is next seen at the Durack Detective Agency, which is still in business.
“Gil, your tumour is getting worse again!” Inez says when Gil accuses Inez of cheating on her with Paul.
“Your eyes are blank. You are stunned. You are paralyzed. You are under anesthesia. You have been lobotomized.” – Zelda Fitzgerald tells Gil that she has been transported back in time to 1920s Paris. She is later seen distraught and preparing to jump into the Seine. The Pont Neuf is behind her. The address is: Pont Neuf, Quai des Orfèbvres, Paris, France.
This is what the Pont Neuf looks like during the day.
Gil asks the tour guide to translate a passage from the book and sits on a bench just behind Notre Dame Cathedral, at Place Jean XXIII.
Gilles and Adriana get in a horse-drawn carriage and head to turn-of-the-century Paris. They head to Maxim’s, a restaurant that still stands today. It’s located here: Maxim’s, 3 Rue Royale, Paris, France
“You’re always on the side of the helper! That’s why my dad says you’re a communist” – Inès. Gil is reading a book at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie in Paris, France, just a stone’s throw from Notre Dame Cathedral, which now also houses a fun coffee shop.
“That’s the way it is now. A bit unsatisfactory. Because life is a bit unsatisfactory.” – Gilles. Paris is full of coffee shops and corners that are reminiscent of the movie. In fact, Le Précorp, opened in 1686, is the world’s first coffee house. For centuries, it has welcomed writers and artists, making Saint-Germain-des-Prés an artistic haunt. Le Nemours is located near the Louvre and is one of the oldest cafés in the area.
“Actually, I think Paris is most beautiful when it rains.” The last scene is one of my favorite scenes, shot in one of my favorite places. Gil Pont Alexandre III Then, in the rain, you encounter a young woman at a thrift store. Cue the ending! The bridge can be found here: Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris, France.
The best way to experience the city and get the true feeling of the film is to just walk around, rain or shine, day or night.
This film, like all great novels, paints spectacular landscapes, tells a beautiful story, and leaves you feeling happy. It’s a film you can watch over and over again, as if you were in Paris. You’ll never get bored.
If you want to know more about the great writers and artists who lived in Paris at that time, I recommend reading “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway, which describes Paris at that time very well and fits perfectly with the plot of the film.
Midnight in Paris is a story for dreamers, lovers, and those who can’t get enough of Paris. It’s one of my favorite movies of all time, and I hope these locations and quotes will inspire your next trip.
Want to know more about Paris? Check out my Paris Travel Guide!
Source: Helene in Between – heleneinbetween.com
