The 1991 John Woo film “Once a Thief” was shot in France and Hong Kong. Several Paris landmarks are seen during an opening montage, including Saint-Louis-des-Invalides Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower.
LOCATION: Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
The opening title is shown over the Institut de France, where the opening scenes also take place. An artist draws an image of Jim, played by Leslie Cheung, as he watches a painting being transported.
LOCATION: Institut de France, 23 Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris, France
Joe, played by Chow Yun-Fat, meets with Cheri, played by Cherie Chung, next to the Notre-Dame, which is also seen during the opening establishing shots of Paris. The famed cathedral has appeared in countless films, such as “Amélie,” “Midnight in Paris,” “The Man in the Iron Mask,” “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” “Charade” and many more.
LOCATION: Cathédrale Notre Dame, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
The Arc de Triomphe is briefly seen as the whereabouts of the painting are discussed near the end of the film.
LOCATION: Arc de Triomphe, Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
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.
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.
The 2001 Jean-Pierre Jeunet film “Amélie” (a.k.a. “Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain”) was primarily shot in Paris, France, with some interiors filmed on sets in Cologne, Germany. Early in the film, Amélie’s mother is tragically killed by a suicide jumper who leaps from the Notre-Dame, landing on her mother below. The famed cathedral has appeared in countless films, such as “Midnight in Paris,” “Once A Thief,” “The Man in the Iron Mask,” “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” “Charade” and many more.
LOCATION: Cathédrale Notre Dame, 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Much of the exteriors were filmed around the Montmartre area of Paris, including the cafe where Amélie, played by Audrey Tautou, works. It is a real cafe, known as Café des Deux Moulins, which is still in business today.
LOCATION: 15 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris, France
Inside, you can find several items related to the film, including this poster.
This framed, still image from the film is also up on one of the walls.
The storefront where Amélie shops throughout the film can also be found in Montmartre.
LOCATION: 56 Rue des Trois Frères, 75018 Paris, France
The door on the left, just around the corner of the same building is the entrance to Amélie’s apartment. You can also see several posters for the film on the side of the building. If you’re in the area, the stairs from the opening of the film “Ronin” are about a block away.
Nino Quincampoix, played by Mathieu Kassovitz, gets a call on a pay phone from Amélie with The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (The Sacred Heart of Montmartre) seen behind them. The church is a major tourist attraction overlooking the neighborhood. It also appears in the films “Ronin” and “John Wick: Chapter 4.”
LOCATION: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France
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.
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.
The 2010 Christopher Nolan film “Inception” shot in a variety of locations around the world, including France, England, Japan, Morocco, Canada and the United States. Ariadne, played by Ellen Page, explains the dream world to Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, by changing the landscapes. These scenes were filmed at Pont de Bir-Hakeim in Paris. Ariadne appears to make these steps elevate. In reality, the way she alters it is how it actually appears.
LOCATION: Pont de Bir-Hakeim, 75015 Paris, France
Cobb watches from this direction.
They cross this area over the street as people representing Cobb’s subconscious start bumping into Ariadne.
Ariadne then starts moving mirrors in this area.
Here is the spot where Ariadne shatters the mirror and changes the landscape. Once again, the way it looks after she changes it is how it actually appears. Pont de Bir-Hakeim, a bridge that crosses the Seine, has been featured in many films, such as “Last Tango In Paris,” “Elevator to the Gallows,” “Ronin,” “Forget Paris,” “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” “The Conformist” and more.
It is seen one more time from this angle as Cobb starts to remember being there with his wife Mal, played by Marion Cotillard.
Quite a few scenes were filmed around Southern California. At this intersection in Downtown Los Angeles, Cobb goes over plans with his team to execute a mission within a dream.
LOCATION: Wilshire Blvd / Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Directly across the street are the corner steps where Cobb picks up a man in a taxi and kidnaps him. The same steps were used in “The Social Network,” when Jesse Eisenberg shows up to a business meeting wearing a robe.
LOCATION: 707 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Yusuf’s van falls from the Schuyler F. Heim Bridge, a vertical lift bridge in Long Beach. This area has since changed some. The exact stretch of the liftspan seen in the film has since been removed and a fixed stretch of bridge now exists in it’s place. Construction on the remodeled bridge began in 2011 and was completed in 2020.
LOCATION: Schuyler F. Heim Bridge, Terminal Island Fwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
Cobb walks with Mal through a deep dream state called “limbo,” where the dreamers risk being unable to awaken. This area is part of The Music Center building in Downtown Los Angeles, facing toward The John Ferraro Building. Cobb also walks with Ariadne through the same area.
LOCATION: 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cobb and Ariadne continue walking through the surreal landscape, where old houses are seen partially submerged in water. This was filmed at The John Ferraro Building, which has been featured in countless films and television shows, such as “The Nice Guys,” “Hancock,” “The Omega Man” and more. The buildings submerged in water were CGI, replacing the L.A. skyline on the left, but the section of the Ferraro Building on the right side is the real location seen in the film.
LOCATION: 111 N Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Mal, believing she’s trapped in a dream and will only awaken by leaping to her death, sits on the ledge of this building.
LOCATION: 215 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Some props from the film could be found on display on the Warner Brothers Studio Tour.
Roger Avary’s 2002 adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel “The Rules of Attraction” was set in the fictional Camden College in New Hampshire, but it was actually filmed at the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. In order to achieve this, the filmmakers had to be very careful in blocking their shots, as to avoid the mountains and palm trees that surround the area. Below, we’ll cover many shots seen in the film from around the campus.
This location also appeared in the film “Hell Night.”
LOCATION: 1200 E Colton Ave, Redlands, CA 92374
Sean Bateman, played by James Van Der Beek, sits on these seats towards the end of the film.
The “End of the World” party takes place at this building.
One of the final shots of the movie, where the character of Sean rides away on his bike, was filmed here.
The home of Rupert, played by Clifton Collins Jr., can be found near Koreatown in L.A.
LOCATION: 858 3rd Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Paul and his friends drop off a classmate at a hospital in Downey, although it is never seen from this angle in the film.
LOCATION: 12750 Erickson Ave, Downey, CA 90242
The angle seen in the film faces this way, toward the street.
Sean Bateman drops of Paul at a bus station, which was on the grounds of the former Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California. Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center was founded back in the late 1800s. The hospital upgraded to a newer facility located nearby and abandoned a lot of their older buildings, with ownership transferred to the county. The buildings sat vacant for years. The buildings featured as the bus station could be found at Erickson Ave / Flores St, Downey, CA 90242, but have since been demolished.
During an extended montage, Victor, played by Kip Pardue, is seen traveling all over Europe, with many different locations seen in quick cuts, including Big Ben in London.
LOCATION: Big Ben, London SW1A 0AA, UK
The Eiffel Tower is Paris is also quickly seen.
LOCATION: Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Victor is also seen at the Arc de Triomphe, which also briefly appears in Roger Avary’s previous film, “Killing Zoe.”
LOCATION: Arc de Triomphe, Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
Victor eats with Sean and Mitchell, played by Thomas Ian Nicholas, at the former Quality Cafe in Downtown Los Angeles. The diner was a one-time staple of film, appearing in “Seven,” “Training Day,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Ghost World,” “Another Day In Paradise,” “(500) Days Of Summer” “Million Dollar Baby,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “The Heartbreak Kid” and many more. However, it was not an actual restaurant open to the public. Instead it was used solely for filming (much like Johnie’s Coffee Shop in mid-town L.A.). Unless the building was being set up for a production, most of the time it was closed up and locked by a large metal door covering the front windows. So catching a glimpse of it was rare. It ceased to function as a filming location and was completely renovated in 2014. The interior of the property no longer bears any resemblance inside to how it appeared in so many films.
LOCATION: 1238 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (since closed and remodeled)
While Roger Avary’s 1993 heist film “Killing Zoe” is set on the streets of Paris, the bank is actually located in Downtown Los Angeles. In fact, the film came about due to executive producer Lawrence Bender gaining access to a bank. He subsequently reached out to filmmaker Roger Avary to ask if he had any bank robbery scripts. Without actually having one, Avary promptly said yes and set about penning the film. Ironically, the bank initially scouted, setting the project into motion, was not ultimately used in the film. Instead, the Farmers & Merchants Bank was used. It has also been seen in the films “(500) Days Of Summer,” “Spider-Man 3” and “Night Hunter.”
LOCATION: 401 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
The film is bookended by driving shots around Paris, with the Arc de Triomphe seen in the final shot of the film. It briefly appears again in Roger Avary’s “The Rules Of Attraction.”
LOCATION: Arc de Triomphe, Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
To see our “Killing Zoe” location page, click here.
Film Oblivion 