The 1998 John Frankenheimer film “Ronin” was shot in France, with scenes taking place both in Paris and in the South of France. In the opening shot of film, The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (The Sacred Heart of Montmartre) can be seen. The church is a major tourist attraction overlooking the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris. It also appears in such films as “Amélie” and “John Wick: Chapter 4.”

LOCATION: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France

The location of the bar from the opening is a clever mixture of location filming and a recreated set. All of the interiors, as well as most of the close-up shots of the entrance were recreated at Studios L’Éclair (8 Av. de Lattre de Tassigny, 93800 Épinay-sur-Seine, France). The backgrounds and most of the stair shots were all on location. You scarcely see the real building in the film. If you watch closely, you can see the shots seamlessly switch from location to set as people pass through the frame. The real building has since been completely demolished and a new building stands in its place, but the stairs, which are the same ones seen in the film, remain unchanged. This area is also located in Montmartre, where much of “Amélie” was filmed. You can actually find one of the major locations from “Amélie,” the market where she shops throughout the film, about a block away.

LOCATION: 2 Rue Drevet, 75018, Paris, France

Sam, played by Robert De Niro, is seen descending these stairs. Director John Frankenheimer for a time lived in Montmartre and used these stairs often, deciding to feature them in the film. The stairs typically have quite a lot of pedestrian traffic, so getting images without crowds of people in the way proved challenging.

Sam stops in front of this door and hides in the shadows as he carefully assesses the situation at the bar below.

He is seen looking down the stairs from this spot.

Later Sam is seen going behind the stairs from this area as he makes his way to the back of the bar. Both the base of the stairs, as well as the entire rear area of the bar, were all set recreations.

The weapons deal scenes were filmed at Pont Alexandre III. Another famous area of Paris, it has appeared in many films, such as “Midnight In Paris,” “Le Samouraï,” “A View to a Kill,” “Paris, Je T’aime,” “Holy Motors,” “The Smell of Us” and many more.

LOCATION: Pont Alexandre III, 75008, Paris, France (GPS coordinates: 48°51’51.3″N, 2°18’45.8″E)

This reverse shot can be seen in the film, with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

The deal is set to take place in this area underneath the bridge.

The deal turns out to be an ambush.

The film then shifts to the South of France for many scenes. Sam and Deirdre, played by Natascha McElhone, are seen entering this hotel in Cannes. This is the same town where the famous film festival takes place, with the iconic Grand Auditorium theater located almost right across the street, toward the left from this perspective.

LOCATION: 10 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France

Sam and his team set up an ambush on a convoy in the town of La Turbie. The convoy can be seen approaching from here.

LOCATION: Av. du Général de Gaulle / Rte du Mont-Agel, 06320 La Turbie, France (GPS coordinates: 43°44’47.2″N, 7°24’02.9″E)

Vincent, played by Jean Reno, positions himself in this area. There is no traffic light here, unlike as depicted in the film.

LOCATION: Av. de la Victoire / Pl. Detras, 06320 La Turbie, France (GPS coordinates: 43°44’43.7″N, 7°24’00.2″E)

Sam positions himself across the street in this area.

Sam fires a bazooka on the lead car from this view.

Sam waits to meet a contact along the waterfront of the scenic Villefranche-sur-Mer.

LOCATION: 7 Quai de l’Amiral Courbet, 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

Sam watches his contact approach his vehicle from here.

Later in the film, a car chase takes place through the streets of Paris. Deirdre is seen driving down the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, a bridge that crosses the Seine and features a long pedestrian passage down the center, car lanes to the left and right and a train rail above. It has been featured in many films, such as “Last Tango In Paris,” “Inception,” “The Conformist,” “Elevator to the Gallows,” “Forget Paris,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” and more.

LOCATION: Pont de Bir-Hakeim, 75015 Paris, France

To see our “Ronin” location page, click here.