Bonjour Paris! Travelling Through Audrey Hepburn's Paris
Today I'm dreaming about travelling around Audrey Hepburn's version of Paris. Since we can't go anywhere, how about a virtual tour of her Parisian-set movies and the filming locations therein?
Funny Face (1957)
As the bookish and philosophical Jo, Audrey travels to Paris for a magazine shoot for Quality Magazine with photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) and editor Maggie Prescott (Kay Thompson) and sees all of the top touristy sites: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triopmhe, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Jardine des Tuileries
She also makes sure to see the more bohemian side of Paris, visiting Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur.
The dramatic walk down the steps in the stunning green cape and dress was filmed at the Palais Garnier. The fishing scene was filmed at the Pont des Arts. At the Latona Fountain at Versailles, she poses with a dove. The beautiful red dress photo shoot took place at the Louvre. The wedding photo shoot scene was filmed at the Château de la Reine Blanche in Chantilly.
Paris When It Sizzles (1964)
As Gabrielle Simpson, Audrey is tasked with helping screenwriter Richard Benson (played by William Holden) finish his latest script. The only problem is...he hasn't even started it yet. The film is mostly confined to his apartment as they plot out a story, but their imagined caper takes them all over Paris as Bastille Day, France's national holiday, is about to be celebrated.
The title of their imagined film is The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower (with theme song sung by Frank Sinatra). The capers see them travelling all over Paris, including a scene filmed at the Théâtre Marigny.
Charade (1963)
As Regina Lampert, Audrey must solve the mystery of her husband's death and why his former comrades from his army days, are all after a fortune they swear she now possesses. Aided by Peter Joshua (or whatever you want to call him, played by Cary Grant, given he has many identities throughout the movie), Reggie travels all around Paris to figure out what her husband left behind.
Reggie and her late husband lived at 5 Avenue Velasquez, which, in reality, is the home of the Musée Cernuschi, home of Asian Arts. Other filming locations include the Jardins des Champs Élysées, Les Halles at a vegetable market, the Left Bank of the Seine, and the Colonnade in the Jardin du Palais Royal for the ultimate reveal.
Love in the Afternoon (1957)
Audrey's Ariane sets herself upon a quest to ensnare Gary Cooper's Frank Flanagan by pretending to be a chic woman of the world when in truth, she's a shy and retiring wallflower. Their many rendezvous take them all over Paris, most famously the Château de Vitry for an outdoor picnic. Other scenes were shot at the Place Vendôme, the Palais Garnier, and the Gare de Lyon train station.
Ariane and her father live in a charming apartment on 17 Rue Malebranche. Frank stays at the Hôtel Ritz.
How to Steal a Million (1966)
How to Steal a Million... I love it. It's probably my favourite Audrey movie (that and Two for the Road and Roman Holiday). In this caper classic, Audrey plays heiress Nicole Bonnet, whose father is a noted art scion (and forger, though the public doesn't know it!) and who recently donated a forged Cellini Venus statute to the fictitious Musée Kléber-Lafayette. Nicole and cat burglar Simon Dermot (played so charmingly by Peter O'Toole) make plans to steal it back before it can be tested and revealed as a forgery.
Nicole's massive family home is located on 38 Rue Parmentier, though it has since been demolished. Simon stays at the Hôtel Ritz ("You're a very chic burglar," Nicole says when he tells her). Nicole and Simon commiserate on a park bench in the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées. Nicole and art collector Davis Leland enjoy a meal at Maxim’s before Simon interrupts. The afore-mentioned Musée Kléber-Lafayette is actually the Musée Jacquemart-André.
Sabrina (1954)
Though we never really see Sabrina Fairchild exploring Paris while she's studying at a French culinary school, her impossible glamour once she returns from living la vie en rose is undeniably chic. The transformation from gawky chauffeur's daughter to chic woman of the world was aided by the French couturier Givenchy, who let Audrey buy some of the past season's clothing for Sabrina's wardrobe.
This exchange sparked a lifelong friendship, with Givenchy dressing Audrey for many of her movies and even more in her personal life.
BONUS
Two for the Road (1967)
Okay, this one is a stretch, considering Two for the Road's exterior shots weren't filmed in Paris at all, but I love it so much (it's my favourite Audrey Hepburn performance and a top three movie for me) and it showcases the gorgeous French countryside and south of France. I'd love to hitchhike it.
Some of the filming locations include Saint-Tropez, the French Riviera, Grimaud, Nice, Les Alpes-Maritimes, Drôme, and Oise.
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Don't you just love Audrey Hepburn's Paris? I'd love to live that chic life. Which movie is your favourite? Let me know in the comments!
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