Paris in the Movies

Pretend it's 1968 and Paris is about to explode with student revolt. Go to the former Cinémathèque française at the Palais de Chaillot and pretend to chain yourself to … the gates in protest of the firing of Henri Langlois, just like actress Eva Green in Bernardo Bertolucci's The Dreamers (2003). (The Cinémathèque has since decamped to a Frank Gehry-designed home in the 12th arrondissement.) [link]

Sure, it's a remake of Charade, but The Truth About Charlie (2002) still counts, especially for the thick, moody use director Jonathan Demme made of his Paris … locations -- including Edith Piaf's old haunt, the Balajo (Jo's Ballroom). This nightclub, which opened in 1935, features all manner of soirées, from swing to tango, starting at 9 p.m. Dance classes are offered beforehand. A €12 entry fee includes one drink. If you're lucky, maybe Anna Karina will be rasping "The Tango Romance." [link]

In the spirit of Stanley Donen's 1963 film Charade, run down the stairs of the Métro like you're being pursued by Cary Grant. Wait on the track and mouth the words … "come on, come on." While you wait, note that the station has been largely renovated since 1963, there's no longer a poinçonneur des billets (ticket-puncher) to slow you down, a portillon automatique to keep you from getting on the train, nor a first-class car. When the train comes, cower in a corner. Just don't expect the line 6 train to get you to Palais Royal like it does in the film ... [link]

In Chacun cherche son chat (1996) by Cédric Klapisch (of Auberge Espagnol fame), a young woman searches for her cat throughout the 11th arrondissement. Several … scenes are set at Le Pause Cafe, a boho paradise on the rue de Charonne, in a neighborhood full of character and quirky shops. Have a drink here and soak up some of the local color. [link]

An American in Paris (Vincente Minelli, 1951) was actually shot on a Hollywood sound stage, but that's no reason you shouldn't take your chérie to sit by the water … at dusk and croon to her in your best Gene Kelly, "It's very clear/our love is here to stay ..." Go ahead. We won't laugh. If you haven't a chérie to croon to, well, you can always tap dance down the rue Saint Vincent while teaching a group of French children to sing "I've Got Rhythm." [link]

Paris got you stressed? Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amélie (2001) was filmed all around Montmartre, but occasionally our plucky heroine left the butte -- especially when … she felt like letting off steam. Make like Amélie and head for the Canal Saint-Martin, climb over the guardrail, and skip stones out onto the water. [link]

Bernardo Bertolucci's 1972 film Last Tango in Paris opens as Marlon Brando's character has just learned of his wife's suicide. He stands on the Pont Bir Hakeim bridge, … under the viaduct, tears his hair out and howls. So can you. Just wait your turn, there may be a bit of a line. [link]

In Bande à part (Jean-Luc Godard, 1964), Anna Karina, Claude Brasseur, and Sami Frey run at full tilt through the Louvre in 9 minutes and 43 seconds, trying to beat … the world record for the shortest visit. And you can, too! Or pretend you're in Bernardo Bertolucci's 2003 film The Dreamers, trying to beat the Bande à part record -- that would be way meta, but kind of lame. Be sure to let us know what your time is, and try not to get arrested. [link]