Bernardo Bertolucci

The Dreamers (2003)

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The 2003 Bernardo Bertolucci film “The Dreamers” was shot in Paris, France. In the opening scene of the film, Matthew, played by Michael Pitt, is seen approaching a movie theater, which was filmed at the Palais de Chaillot. Bertolucci previously filmed at this same location, only from the reverse angle, in “The Conformist.”

LOCATION: Palais de Chaillot, 1 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France

The bridge he is seen approaching on, Pont d’Iéna, connects between the Eiffel Tower and Palais de Chaillot, making it an extremely popular and crowded tourist destination.

The area where the protest is staged and Matthew meets Isabelle and Theo, played by Eva Green and Louis Garrel, was blocked off and inaccessible at the time of our visit.

The Eiffel Tower is briefly seen behind Matthew as he crosses the street

LOCATION: Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

This is the hotel where Matthew initially stays, before moving in with Isabelle and Theo.

LOCATION: 9 Rue Malebranche, 75005 Paris, France

Here is the home of Isabelle and Theo’s parents.

LOCATION: 1 Pl. Rio de Janeiro, 75008 Paris, France

The characters attempt to break the world record for fastest time running through the Louvre Museum, as depicted in the 1964 film “Band of Outsiders.” The same location is featured in both films.

LOCATION: Louvre Museum, 75001 Paris, France

Related articles: The Conformist (1970), Last Tango In Paris (1972)

The Conformist (1970)

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The 1970 Bernardo Bertolucci film “The Conformist,” was shot in Paris, France and Rome, Italy. The opening hotel scene of Marcello Clerici, played by Jean-Louis Trintignant, exiting out onto the street was filmed at Musée d’Orsay. Formerly a train station, it is now a famous museum in Paris. Bertolucci returned to the same location for “Last Tango In Paris,” but filmed from the side of the building to the right. The location also appears in the films “The Trial” and “The Destructors.”

LOCATION: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France

Marcello is seen riding in a car past 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 “Inception,” “Elevator to the Gallows,” “Ronin,” “Forget Paris,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” and more. Bertolucci also returned here for “Last Tango In Paris.”

LOCATION: Pont de Bir-Hakeim, 75015 Paris, France (GPS coordinates: 48°51’17.2″N, 2°17’17.9″E)

The Palais de Chaillot, which showcases a famous view of the Eiffel Tower, is seen a couple times in the film, first when Marcello rides by in a car. The Palais de Chaillot has been featured in many films, such as “Sabrina,” “Midnight In Paris,” “John Wick: Chapter 4” and many more. Bertolucci would return to this location, albeit from the reverse view, for his 2003 film “The Dreamers.”

LOCATION: Palais de Chaillot, 1 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France

It is seen again as Marcello walks on foot with Giulia, played by Stefania Sandrelli, to get in another car. The Eiffel Tower is of course one of the most filmed locations of all time, appearing in “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” “A View to a Kill,” “French Kiss,” “Femme Fatale,” “The Truth About Charlie,” “The Dreamers,” “Paris, Je T’aime,” “Frances Ha” and dozens more.

To see our “The Conformist” location page, click here.

Related articles: Last Tango In Paris (1972), The Dreamers (2003)

Last Tango In Paris (1972)

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The 1972 Bernardo Bertolucci film “Last Tango In Paris,” starring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider, was filmed in Paris, France. The opening scene takes place at 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 “Inception,” “Elevator to the Gallows,” “Ronin,” “Forget Paris,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” and more. Bertolucci even filmed here previously with “The Conformist.”

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

Paul and Jeanne, played by Brando and Schneider, play two strangers who pass one another in this area on a chance encounter. If the camera turned just a bit to the left, you would clearly see the Eiffel Tower from this spot.

The two, who do not exchange names, end up both trying to occupy the same apartment for lease at this building. The front entrance is seen a couple times in the film, both as they first arrive and after they silently go their separate ways as strangers after a sexual encounter. The sign on the building was altered to say “Rue Jules Verne” in the film. This is just over the stairs from Pont de Bir-Hakeim, where the film opens.

LOCATION: 1 Rue de l’Alboni, 75016 Paris, France

This angle is also seen in the film of the apartment.

This angle is seen as Paul and Jeanne once again go their separate ways.

In one shot, the camera pans up from Jeanne crossing the street, to Paul crossing the bridge, to the train passing above.

Jeanne is seen making calls from this building, which faces opposite the apartment entrance. The plants have since grown higher, obstructing the view seen in the film.

LOCATION: 16 Av. du Président Kennedy, 75016 Paris, France

Here is a clearer view of the building.

Late in the film, Paul is seen chasing after Jeanne outside of the Musée d’Orsay. Formerly a train station, it is now a famous museum in Paris. Bertolucci previously filmed at the same location for “The Conformist,” but filmed from the side of the building to the left. The location also appears in the films “The Trial” and “The Destructors.”

LOCATION: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France

The area where the two stop and argue has changed slightly. It is now set up as the ticketing entrance for the museum and partially enclosed beneath the awning.

Related articles: The Conformist (1970), The Dreamers (2003)