The birthplace of the 7th art never ceases to inspire filmmakers: more than 125 years after the first public screening of the cinematograph in a café, Paris remains the most filmed city in the world. How about walking through the French capital's sites, magnified on the big screen, and diving into the genesis of these films? This is what Ciné balades offers through several thematic tours.
Ciné balades was created by Juliette Dubois, a teacher in Cultural History of Cinema who, in 2011 and after several missions in the sector (production of short and feature films, financing of film restoration...) decided to share her passion for the 7th art by organizing tours around films shot in Paris.
By following fictional characters or filmmakers, the history - full of anecdotes - of certain shootings allows film buffs to "cross the screen" by taking themselves for Hugo Cabret or Woody Allen.
It's a fun way to bring to life a heritage that is constantly being enriched: Paris hosts about 1,000 film shoots every year! Let's take a look at some of them through a small selection of visits.
Totally identifiable in Paris, these sites are among the most represented in movies (especially in foreign films) and can be rediscovered during walks in the footsteps of Amélie Poulain or in the shoes of Tom Cruise who, for Mission Impossible, performed several stunts next to the emblematic French monument. If you're in the mood for romance, another visit will confirm that Paris is THE city of love by inviting you to walk along the sets of Midnight in Paris, La La Land or An American in Paris.
Less known, the districts of Montreuil, Belleville or La Villette are also the object of thematic visits, the occasion to see the backstage of major French series like Engrenages or the Office of the Legends or to return to the sources of the 7th art with the site of the old Gaumont studios and those of the precursor of special effects, Georges Méliès.
About filmmakers who have marked the history of cinema, it is also possible to follow courses on François Truffaut, Jean Luc Godard or Agnès Varda. You should also enjoy visits around the Ile de la Cité, the train stations or the flea markets of the capital and, for a family outing, the walk around the cartoons will seduce the children who will see again, on the spot and on a tablet, extracts of their favorite films.
Another ideal tour for groups, but this time outside Paris, is a cruise on the Marne, retracing the history of the studios and filming locations in this film-loving region.
To learn more and book one of these fun and immersive tours, go here.
Valérie from Comme des Français
----
To stay in the theme
Crédit photo : ©Ciné-balades / @CDT94 Clémence Bourrigaul
