Paris Insiders Guide to Classic Movies – Midnight in Paris

This gorgeous movie was shot at some gorgeous locations… that is to say, Paris! Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris elegantly captures the spirit of 1920s and provides a glimpse into the marvelous and legendary Belle Époque, the period of flowering at the end of the 19th century between the close of the Franco-Prussian War and the beginning of the First World War.

Woody Allen takes us on a wildly imaginative journey where we meet many of the famous writers, composers, and painters of the Jazz Age in Paris — Ernest Hemingway, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Gertrude Stein. The film starts with a dazzling selection of Paris locations and sets the scene at Le Bristol, one of the city's most luxurious hotels. The director spends almost as much care and attention to the Paris locations as he does to the actors' performances.

Midnight in Paris Locations

Rue Montagne Sainte-Geneviève

In the film, these are the stairs where Gil goes nightly to catch his magic car ride to the past. It's become a place to see in Paris for Woody Allen fans (and Owen Wilson fans), who sit on the steps at the church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont behind the Pantheon to pay tribute to the movie.

• Saint-Etienne-du-Mont, Rue Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, 75005

Hotel Le Meurice

Le Meurice is the setting for the rooftop terrace wine tasting, where Michael Sheen gives his famous wine tasting speech. Like Le Bristol, Hotel Le Meurice has been awarded the Palace designation, the highest hotel rating in France. The Belle Etoile Royal Suite at the Meurice clocks in at over 15,000€ per night. We'd love to stay there, but…

• Hotel Le Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, 75001

Hotel Le Bristol

The luxurious Le Bristol opened its doors in 1925. In Midnight in Paris, the Bristol is the Paris base for Gil (Owen Wilson), his fiancée (Rachel McAdams) and her parents. You can stay in a Junior Suite (as Owen & Rachel did) for as low as 1,500€ per day.

• Hotel Le Bristol, 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, 75008

Maxim's Restaurant

Maxim's de Paris, famous for its Belle Époque décor, is one of the places Gil and Adriana (Marion Cotillard) visit in the 1890s. We like how Woody Allen manages to give us a taste of the good life throughout the film and has chosen some of the most luscious locations in Paris.

• Maxim's, 3 Rue Royale, 75008

Musée Rodin

Set in the garden of the Rodin Museum in the 7th Arrondissement is a great scene where the former First Lady of France (and former rock-and-roll groupie), Carla Bruni, gives a surprisingly believable portrayal as a museum curator.

• Musée Rodin, 79 rue de Varenne, 75007

Claude Monet's Garden at Giverny

There's a very romantic scene on the famous Japanese bridge that arches over Monet's equally famous lily pond. Who else but Allen could get the gardens at Giverny for himself for an entire day to shoot the "I love you" scene with Gil and Inez?

• Monet's Garden, Giverny

Other Locations In & Around Paris

Midnight in Paris is an exploration of Paris and of the things we love about it, and there are dozens of additional scenes set in locations that show off the city and environs.

• THE PALACE & GARDENS OF VERSAILLES
  A spectacular showing of the Sun King's sumptuous palace.
  → Read How to Visit Versailles…
• PONT ALEXANDRE III
  The bridge where Gil meets Gabrielle. One of most beautiful bridges in Paris, it connects the Grand Palais and Petit Palais on the Right Bank with Hotel des Invalides on the Left Bank.
  → Guide to the Bridges of Paris…
• RESTAURANT LE GRANDE VEFOUR
  17 Rue du Beaujolais, 75001
  → Le Grande Vefour Review…
• RESTAURANT LE POLIDOR
  41 Rue Monsieur Le Prince, 75006
• RESTAURANT PAUL
  Rue Henri, Place Dauphine, 75001
• MUSÉE DE L'ORANGERIE
  Place de la Concorde, 75001
  → Discover Musée de l'Orangerie…

More Classic Paris Movies

• Classic Paris Movies…
• Julie and Julia…