The Paris tourist itinerary proposed by Midnight in Paris is really a great one. A few days ago, I watched the movie repeatedly, and I realized I had forgotten that this truly is Woody Allen’s amazing love declaration to Paris.
Midnight in Paris opens with a quick montage of stunning shots of Parisian iconic locations, also set to other Paris movies, from Last Tango in Paris to Le dernier metro. Jazz music melts everything in an irresistible tourist spot.
Midnight in Paris itinerary
But let’s start this exceptional tour around Paris. In the end, you’ll even find a dedicated map for you to arrange your own visit itinerary.
Faubourg St Honoré
The two main characters, romantic writer Gil and pretty spoiled fiancée Inez, stay at the Hôtel Le Bristol, one of Paris’s most famous palaces, right in the heart of this posh shopping street.
This palace has the largest private garden in Paris, with a stunning swimming pool overlooking Paris, a trendy spa, the famous gourmet restaurant Epicure, a brasserie, a bar, and even its own bakery. If you can afford it, stay here!
Place Vendome
We get to see luxury Place Vendome when Inez talks wedding rings with her mother as they window shop at Chopard jewelry, just one of those on the square. If you want to buy an expensive ring or necklace or spend a night at the Ritz, this is your place.
Le Grand Véfour, Paris famous restaurant
Le Grande Véfour, 17 Rue du Beaujolais, is the restaurant where Gil has his politics discussion with Inez’ dad. I’ve been there only twice, and it is an amazing restaurant, of course, but also an amazing
Opened in 1784 as a café, it became in 1820 one of the first gastronomic cuisine restaurants of Paris, right at the entrance of the gardens of the Palais Royale.
The Tuileries
We get to see the Tuileries by night during the wine tasting held at La Belle Étoile, the rooftop of the Hotel le Meurice.
I recommend a daylight promenade in the garden, maybe grab a sandwich and a good book to enjoy both on one of the pretty iconic green chairs spread all around.
Musée de l’Orangerie
At the Musée de l’Orangerie is where Gil and Inez visit the exhibition dedicated to Monet.
Opened in 1852 as winter storage for the orange trees of the Tuileries garden, it was transformed into a museum in 1927, and Claude Monet installed here his Nymphéas, following a proposal by Georges Clémenceau. Monet himself paid for the museum interior design and donated his work to the Country.
Eglise Saint-Étienne du Mont
It’s on the steps at the foot of the north portal of the church of Saint-Etienne du Mont, on the side of the Abbé-Basset place, that Gil gets his lift to the Twenties.
The church combines Gothic, classical decor, and Renaissance, as the construction went on forever, between 1492 and 1626. The sculptures were not added until the nineteenth century!
The church houses the shrine of Saint Geneviève, the city’s patron saint, and the tombs of Blaise Pascal, Jean Racine, and revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat.
Ile St Louis
The first 20’s party takes place on
Remaining almost identical for nearly four centuries, its architecture and small village atmosphere make the island an ideal place for a peaceful stroll.
Square Jean-XXIII
Square Jean-XXIII, on Ile de la Cité, is where Gil translates to Carla Bruni the memories of Adriana, discovering that Cotillard’s character is actually in love with him.
It’s a pretty corner, perfect to rest, admire the river and enjoy a book.
The Grand Duc nightclub
So, the nightclub does exist but is rue Pigalle. It’s also known as Chez Bricktop, the famous dancer and singer Ada Smith’s scene name. In the
Restaurant Polidor
Le Polidor, rue Monsieur le Prince, is where Gil meets Ernest Hemingway. The bistro was also the daily canteen of Verlaine, Gide, Joyce, and even Kerouac.
I have lunch there too as it hasn’t been replaced by a launderette!
Gertrude Stein’s home
During his second night in the past, Gil visits Gertrude Stein. Arriving in Paris in 1904 to join her brother, the famous American feminist writer fell in love with the City of Light and moved there.
Her apartment was known to be one of the places where artists and intellectuals from around the world met every Saturday. It’s 27 rue de Fleurus, and she lived there with her companion Alice B. Toklas, but you can’t visit it…
Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
It’s a great market right at Porte de Clignancourt, perfect for cheap shopping and to find weird stuff. My mum loves it but never came back with a super cool original Cole Porter record…
Musée Rodin
The Musée Rodin is in the Hotel Biron, where we also see the acting performance by
The Hotel Biron was Rodin’s last home, and he left his artworks to the nation on condition they are exhibited here. You can visit both the garden and the house, with two different tickets, and recommend both.
Maison Deyrolle
The Surrealist wedding party takes place at Maison Deyrolle, 46 rue du Bac. This kind of attraction is really not my cup of tea, but if you have kids, they might love it.
Restaurant Paul
Paul is on Place Dauphine, and I love it! You might have noticed it also in Me before you, the romantic movie with Emilia Clarke. If you didn’t, watch it, with tissues close by and possibly wearing no make-up…
Maxim’s
Maxim’s is a true Parisian institution. The symbol of Belle Epoque, second home to Toulouse Lautrec, and Degas, Gauguin, and other artists. It was selected as a movie set plenty of time and unfortunately badly damaged this summer during the Gilets Jaunes’ protests.
Shakespeare and Company
Well, this is a super touristy and iconic bookshop in downtown Paris. I even worked there… you can read more about it in my post dedicated to Paris’s most beautiful bookshops.
Montmartre
During the impossibly long Gil and Adriana night stroll, we also get to see Montmartre when they descend the rue du Chevalier de la Barre’s steps alongside Sacre Coeur.
I already wrote about Montmartre, detailing a great walking itinerary across Paris most famous hill.
Movie locations outside Paris
At the beginning of the movie, and then again at the end, we get to see two fabulous locations outside Paris, and I recommend them both!
Versailles
Well, everybody knows Versailles, Louis XIV chef-d’oeuvre, about 45 minutes RER rail journey from Paris. It’s worth a full day visit, to take your time and fully enjoy the beauty of the impressive gardens, the Grand and Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s lovely British village and her theatre and of course the castle interiors and the Orangerie.
If you happen to visit in the summer, check the night event schedule cause attending a performance in those gardens is an incredible experience!
Monet’s home in Giverny
The movie begins in Monet’s Garden in Giverny, where Claude Monet actually lived till his death and where you’ll be able to recognize several details you already know from his paintings: the Japanese-style wooden bridge, the flowers, the stream…
Giverny is at 45 minutes by train from Gare Saint Lazare, stepping off at Vernon station. From there, you can get a bus operating a 15 minutes shuttle service to and from the Monet Foundation.
My last tip? Watch the movie the night before getting to Paris to fully enjoy this themed tour. And remember, Paris is always a good idea…
