I count myself lucky to have found home in two of the world’s best “cinematic” cities. Both New York and Paris have been captured on the silver screen myriad times. The thrill of recognition never fades for me. Each shot of a corner, street, or landmark that I know in real life makes my heart beat a little faster when I see it on film.
Author Michael Schürmann’s Paris Movie Walks: Ten Guided Tours Through The City of Lights! Camera! Action! offers detailed information for those of us who want to live the location, be on the set. Ten detailed itineraries follow in the footsteps of some of the most famous films that use Paris as backdrop.
Though is Paris ever just backdrop? We know it’s actually a star.
The author does, too, as he meticulously maps his way around the City of Light, pointing out everything from the major monuments to hidden gems that have appeared on the screen and putting them in cinematic context.
It’s hard to decide which the book makes you want to do more – watch all of the movies or take a stroll around Paris.
The book is really a great marriage of the two.
Besides specific and straightforward information on the movie locations, Schürmann also drops in short, useful sections like “May ’68: The Modern French ‘Revolution’” and “The Story Behind Sacre Coeur” to add to an already informative guide.
The publisher has offered to give away free copies of Paris Movie Walks to three lucky blog readers.
To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment below or sign up to receive this blog by email if you haven’t already. Feel free to let us know your favorite French film, though a simple “I want to win” is always acceptable, too.
Entries are open through Sunday, May 29. I’ll announce winners on Monday, May 30.
Good luck!
For more information on the book and author, check out the Paris Movie Walks website. Word is that a Smartphone app for a few of the walks is also in the works!
Too early on a Monday morning to contemplate my favorite French film… but… I REALLY WANT TO WIN! This looks like a really great guide book. I’m really happy to know its out there.
Yes, I love guidebooks that offer something a little unusual. I’m huge into movies, so a Paris + film guidebook is certainly a winner!
I have to say I’m a big fan of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and loved “La Cite des Enfants Perdus”.
I just finished a class in which we watched about a dozen or so French films – at least half were filmed in Paris.
It amuses me how places look so different on the big screen – like how they changed the café they used in “Amélie”.
I know, right! It is amazing how different places look on the big screen. Paris itself is magic – but some whole other form of magic often happens on the screen.
Sounds like a fun book. Does he have a walk today, my last in Paris? (No need for serious answer to this … I’m about to try to find a park bench or cafe to sit on/in and watch the world go by.) So please enter me!
You’re entered, Lee! Hope you had a great time in Paris!
Je veux gagner! So many favorite French films– incl. Grandes Illusions, Jean de la Florette & Manon des Sources, which are NOT set in Paris. But, in keeping with the subject at hand, my favorites which ARE set in Paris are many and varied: Le Ballon Rouge, Les Quatre Cents Coups, Paris Brule-t-il?, Diabolo Menthe (Peppermint Soda) and, of course, Amélie! Of course, there are also the English language films in which Paris is either a star: The Man on the Eiffel Tower [w/ a young Burgess Meredith in some scary, if quite grainy, chase scenes, and the great Charles Laughton as Inspector Maigret] or a featured player: The Lavender Hill Mob, with one of the most hilarious chase scenes in filmdom, starring Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway and la Tour Eiffel. Not to mention, since we’ll always have Paris, Casablanca [even if all its Paris scenes are done in the blue-screen format of its day, rather than the real thing.] Note I do not include such Hollywood Schlock-busters as Singin’ in the Rain.
Oh, and did I mention? I would love to win this book! All the more to add to my “if I ever get back to Paris” to-do list.
Ah-ha. I can tell you are a true French film buff. Good luck!
I think this book was written for me.
I’d have to say Breathless as one of my favs, but I also love Cleo From 5 to 7.
I watched both those movies the summer before I moved to Paris. I had the written transcript in hand as I was trying to use it as a way to learn French more than anything. I should go back now that I actually understand French and watch for pure pleasure!
Sounds fabulous! Pick me, please!
You’re entered! Good luck!
What a great contest, Sion!
I planned to reflect on this a bit but my favorite came right to mind. Not sure if it counts because it’s a short film, but The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge) by Albert Lamorisse really moved me when I first saw it as a kid, and apparently is still front-of-mind even though I haven’t thought about it in years. That’s my vote!
Hi Patrick. I’m definitely going to have to check out The Red Balloon as you’re the second person to mention this. I haven’t seen it. Sounds like I should! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh my, what a fabulous competition – if I don’t win this is certainly on my list to purchase
Favourite film – ah, that would be like naming my favourite child!
Fingers crossed!
I know, it’s a hard question. My mind kind of draws a blank, too, when someone asks me to choose one favorite. Always like to ask others, though, and see what they come up with!
Too many films to catalog! I’d love to win the book, and I can’t wait to hear about the smartphone app! Thanks for keeping us, ‘in the loop’, Sion!
Thanks, Linda! Yeah, that’s cool about the smartphone app. I’m still in the dark ages (or, I prefer to think, still living in a black and white film) so I don’t have a smartphone, but it sounds like a super good idea!
This sounds like a great guidebook! My girlfriend and I will be in Paris for three weeks beginning June 22. It’s my second time, but her first, and we’re really looking forward to it.
I’d love to win the book, and would put it to good use!
Oh, good luck, Jeff! Hope you and your girlfriend have a great time. Very exciting that you’ll be with her on her first trip to Paris! That’s always a special memory!
It all began with Amelie & then 3 visits to Paris, the last 2 after an expat friend moved there…Pretty much will watch any film about France, or Paris in particular, tho now my friend has moved to the South of France?! So as I want to return (as many times as I can) would love to win a Paris Movie Walks Guidebook -which funny enough my friend attempted to take me to all the Amelie spots she could, we were at the grocers in Montmarte for instance…Anyways, Bon Chance to all?! ;o)
Yes, once you have a connection to a place it’s like you can’t get enough of it! Good luck to you!
Sounds like a really fun book! And I just saw Midnight in Paris – the movie itself was so-so, but the scenery was fantastic!
Yeah, I really didn’t care for Midnight in Paris. But the city sure did a good job as star!
I would love to have this movie to show the kids that I take to France every 2 years.
Chris colyer
Hi Chris. You’re entered! It’s a book, not a movie, but would be quite useful as a guide if you come often!
I am a huge fan of French movies and I would love to win. My favorites range from Nouvelle Vague classics such as the depicted A bout de souffle to Alain Resnais’ L’année dernière à Marienbad to Fanfan et Alexandre to Les Chansons d’Amour to…the list is almost endless!
Yes, hard to choose!
Without a doubt, my favorite French film is “A Man and a Woman” (“Un Homme et Une Femme”) from the mid-60s. I was only 18 at the time and in the throes of “first love”; Anouk Aimee and Jean Louis Trintignant seemed to me the epitome of a romantic, “adult” couple in the most romantic of settings, and with the most beautiful soundtrack as accompaniment.
P.S. I would love a copy of Michael Schurmann’s “Paris Movie Walks: Ten Guided Tours Through The City of Lights! Camera! Action!”, and I’m not above begging — PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!
Oh, I’m going to have to watch that one again. That was another movie I watched without subtitles and French transcript in hand to try to learn the language. I’ll have to revisit it again. Sounds swoon-worthy!
Love your blog. Love Paris. And would love to win this book for my summer visit a Paris!
Oh great! Have fun in Paris this summer!
Oh my; this is embarrassing. The first “Paris” movie that sprang to mind was “The Devil Wears Prada.” (Paris makes an appearance toward the end of the movie.)
I can’t think of a real French movie. My sister the Francophile would be better at this! -Jen
Haha. No worries, Jen. I do the same thing, believe it or not! I think it’s equally as cool that Paris shows up in popular movies, too. (Sex and the City anyone?)
The book in question points out locations used in Hollywood blockbusters, too!
I do love Paris!
I Want to Win!!! I enjoy reading your blog from the states.
Thanks, Melonie!
Nikita is my favorite French film! Who said romance was dead?
Nikita – as in La Femme Nikita? I loved that movie, too! Though if it’s the one about the assassin, I must be forgetting the romance part
Interesting post, Sion. You sure do have a great way with words!
Thanks, Nana.
Hey guys,
I have recently moved to Paris to my bf. I am kind of lost here…I left my job, friends and family, not to mention the language (I barely speak French). It’s blogs and stuff you recommend that keep me here a bit more positive. On weekends I often visit places you write about. I would be more than happy to visit some movie sites too
Keep on going with your blog and all the best!
Kisses,
Aleks
Thanks, Aleksandra. It can be very overwhelming when you first arrive in a new place – especially as you’ve had to leave so much behind. I’m so glad you like visiting this blog and it makes you feel a little better. Hang in there!
I’m in! This has been on my Amazon Wishlist for a while.
I have a few favorite Paris movies, but I honestly have to say I think that they have all been usurped by Woody Allen’s latest, “Midnight in Paris.” Not only is Woody Allen one of my most favorite filmmakers, but he has made a film of my new adoptive home AND my favorite era of history, to boot! (And made interesting commentary on all of that!) I adored the film!
(LOL – I just read you did not care for it! That’s okay. I shall still like you.
As I know you will me. It’s nice when people can have differences in books, music, and film! Diversity in action!)
Ha. Yeah, I still like you even though you liked that film
I so wanted to like it….just really, really didn’t.
But it’s *awesome* that people have such different tastes, I think. As a writer it’s kind of cool to remember that, too. If I get rejected one place…well, doesn’t mean someone else won’t like my writing.
Look to the positive
Good luck! (Hmm, should I be building an Amazon Wishlist?)
Ohohoh I love giveaways! I have lots of favourite French movies, but La Faute à Fidel (Blame it on Fidel) is always near the top.
Wow, I don’t know that one. Thanks for the recommendation!
Sion,
This book looks great. I’d love to have a copy….one of my favorites is Before Sunset. I’m a romantic and ethan reminds me of mon mari a bit.
aidan x
Wow, your husband is like Ethan Hawke? Nice!
I will be visiting Paris for the very first time next month. I have a great love of classic film and can not think of a better way to explore Paris than with your guide. I would be thrilled if I was to be chosen to recieve a copy. Merci, Ann
Good luck, Ann!