Arcachon Bay (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
French reality series The Parisian Agency follows the Kretz family and their luxury real estate agency, based in Paris. Season 6 has recently been released on Netflix, offering viewers a glimpse into the world of exceptional homes and the most sought-after destinations across the globe. Episode four features the beautiful Arcachon Bay, famous for its variety of landscapes, beaches, pine forests, oyster ports and the highest dune in Europe, the Dune du Pilat.
Watch ‘The Parisian Agency’
Château de Crèvecœur (Normandy), Château de Versailles, Palais-Royal, Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Champs-sur-Marne & Balincourt (Île-de-France)
Inspired by France’s most famous Queen, season two of ‘Marie Antoinette’ continues the tumultuous and captivating story of the young monarch. Available on BBC2 and iPlayer, viewers are treated to breathtaking visuals and opulent settings, with filming across numerous French châteaux, including iconic Versailles. Château de Crèvecœur is situated in Calvados, Normandy, a region synonymous with its famous brandy, distilled from Norman apples.
Watch ‘Marie Antoinette’
Épernay (Grand Est)
Netflix knows the formula for a crowd-pleasing, cheesy rom-com and Champagne Problems delivers exactly that. Sydney, a high-flyer from New York, is sent to Épernay to acquire a family-owned champagne house, only to find she has fallen for the heir to the empire. Filming took place along the Avenue de Champagne, lined with prestigious champagne houses, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. The film showcased the façade and cellars of Château Comtesse Lafond, where visitors can explore and sample the world-famous drink.
Watch ‘Champagne Problems’
Saint-Tropez & Cannes (Côte d’Azur)
Season four of the Emmy-winning series White Lotus has just begun filming on the French Riviera. It’s no surprise that Saint-Tropez and Cannes have been chosen as the backdrop for the upcoming series, given both destinations are synonymous with luxury and decadence. Starring Helena Bonham Carter and Steve Coogan, this season promises murder mystery, dysfunction in paradise and a little social satire to lighten the mood! This May, British Airways is launching a new flight route from London City Airport to Toulon Saint-Tropez, offering a more direct route to this iconic corner of the French Riviera.
Keep an eye out for ‘White Lotus’
Megève (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), Chantilly (Hauts-de-France), Giverny (Normandy) & Stade Roland-Garros (Paris)
The famous Emily in Paris has returned for a fifth season on Netflix. After landing her dream job in Paris, Chicago marketing exec Emily Cooper dives into her new life, navigating work, friends and romance. Season five follows Emily’s life in both Paris and Italy, while the previous season four showcases various regions throughout France, from the snowy mountains of the Haute-Savoie village of Megève to the beautiful forests and nature surrounding the Polo Club in Chantilly. The French Open at the Roland-Garros Stadium and the house of Claude Monet, whose centenary of passing is being celebrated this year, are also featured.
Watch ‘Emily in Paris’
Angoulême (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Less recent but still worthy of inclusion is The French Dispatch, directed by acclaimed American filmmaker Wes Anderson. The film acts as an ode to the spirit of journalism and is reminiscent of the French Nouvelle Vague, following the story of the release of the final issue of an American magazine, published in a fictional French city. A star-studded cast, including Bill Murray, Timothée Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan, filmed almost entirely in Angoulême, the internationally renowned capital of comic strips and a designated UNESCO creative city. Visitors can retrace the different stages of the film’s production in Angoulême, following a 3.8km route across 17 stages through the city.
Watch ‘The French Dispatch’
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