The Ultimate “Emily in Paris” – Paris Guide!

Emily in Paris Filming Locations: Discover the real-life Parisian settings of the popular Netflix series ‘Emily in Paris’.

Follow Emily footsteps and discover Paris. In this guide I take you on a journey through charming streets, cozy cafés, and iconic landmarks that frame Emily’s adventures in the City of Lights.

But to be honest with you, I wasn’t too interested in watching “Emily in Paris” in the first place.

Influenced by French reviews that declared the new Netflix show as being ridiculous, and obviously called out the number of clichés and the general lack of authenticity, I was skeptical.

However, after a quick pulse check with my Facebook Community (you can join here for free btw!) I knew I couldn’t miss this show!

Related articles that could be interesting for you:

• 70+ famous & heartfelt Quotes about Paris
• 16 wonderful books set in Paris
• 5 Cocktail Bars in Paris you need to try!
• Secret bars in Paris – discover Paris’ speakeasies !
• The Best Bakeries in Paris – 5 pastry shops you must try!

And what should I say? I absolutely loved it and binge-watched the entire show on one evening. I can’t wait for the 2nd season to start. They are filming at the moment in Paris and I can’t help but check the actor’s Instagram accounts to see where they are.

Everything you need to know to find the Emily in Paris locations

I won’t deny that some elements in “Emily in Paris” are really more cliché than reality. However, some others are surprisingly spot-on with the accuracy of a very good caricature. Understandable that not everyone finds that flattering though.

If you want to see a french reaction to Emily in Paris – click here 

Attention: The following text contains a lot of Spoilers

What is authentic in “Emily in Paris”?

#1 You can’t get just fired from your job

It certainly is a concept that Emily wasn’t familiar with… However, assuming she was employed in France and not by the US headquarter, she in fact can’t be just fired. The employer needs to be able to provide a valid reason to initiate the process and of course respect the notice period, which can be up to 3 months – and with full salary.

#2 Luc, kinda 😀

I believe he is my favorite character in “Emily in Paris”, and he is so funnily spot on. Well, of course, a tad exaggerated and a bit of a caricature, but I actually do know quite a lot of French that aren’t that different.

I always found the French a wee bit up-tied, but he made me aware that they’re actually balancing it with second-degree jokes that are very often shockingly inappropriate. I love it 🙂

#3 And the little things

• Wine at noon? Yes, it can be a thing sometimes
• Raw meet. Yes!
• Pain au Chocolat is really that good
• There is indeed no way to reserve a table for the same evening in any Michelin Star restaurant. Or any restaurant that is popular and/or good.
• Many apartment buildings have no elevator. That’s why apartments on the upper floors are usually cheaper
• plumbing is a problem, as is electricity
• stepping in merde – happens
• sending food back to the kitchen is not well seen, to say at least. Don’t ever do this

And what isn`t?

#1 Emily’s Apartment 

The rental agent calls her apartment a “Chambre de Bonne”, an apartment that was occupied by servants and housekeepers in earlier days. However, those rooms are usually around 10m²/100ft², often with shared toilets in the hallway. Hence,  Emily’s apartment is certainly not a “Chambre de Bonne”.

Speaking from my own experience – I lived on less than 100ft²  for 3 months. With a shared squat toilet and no water. Don’t even ask. But yeah, Emily’s apartment is definitely not a “chambre de bonne”.

#2 All the smoking!

Seriously, what’s up with that in “Emily in Paris”? There is no way that anyone would be allowed to smoke or vape inside an office building! It’s illegal. I was as shocked as you when Paul lit up his cigarette.

However, smoking in outside areas of restaurants and bars is allowed and people enjoy it.

#3 Everyone speaks stellar English

That is clearly not a thing. Of course, it makes the whole international movie thing easier, but don’t expect this to be a reality. Most people barely speak a word.

#4 …and the little things

• You can’t buy a bouquet of a dozen beautiful roses in the center of Paris for €5.60, probably nowhere in Paris. Or even in France.
• Paris is not that clean, not even in the fancy center
• And why is the father of Camille naked by the pool?
• You don’t squeeze 3 people in the front row of your tiny 2 seat car – seat belts and street safety are a thing here as well and if you were driving like this for 2 hours, you can be sure to be stopped by the Police.
• Maybe that’s just me being peaky, but she says she’s not taking the Metro… how on earth is she getting to work? The distance between her apartment and the office is too big to walk every day, especially in heels.

---

The “Emily in Paris” Locations Guide

If you fell in love with Emily and her Paris adventures, you’ll be pleased to learn that all filming locations are actually real locations in Paris that you can visit. And I found the Emily in Paris locations for you!

Here we go, all original Emily in Paris spots:

The “Emily in Paris” Apartment

Emily lives in a very authentic Parisian flat with low windows, wooden floorboards, and a truly wonderful view. It’s located on a cute little square within the Latin Quarter, next to the Panthéon. (It’s just not a “Chambre de Bonne” as explained above)

Fun Fact: When Emily gets dumped by her American boyfriend in Episode 2, you see the Panthéon in the background.

Address: 1 Place de l’Estrapade

“Les Deux Compère” – Gabriel’s Restaurant

In the series, Gabriel’s Restaurant is just down the street from Emily’s Apartment and while often filming locations are completely fictional, it’s not the case for “Emily in Paris”. In reality, “Les Deux Compère” is an Italian restaurant called “Terra Nerra” and is located just next to the filming location of Emily’s flat.

Address: 18 Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques

Boulangerie Moderne

You’ll be happy to learn that you can do just like Emily and enjoy a yummy pain au chocolat from La Boulangerie Moderne. They chose a real Parisian bakery as the filming location that is – as in the series – located just next to Gabriel’s Restaurant and makes Emily in Paris places to visit easy.

Address: 16 Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques

The Emily in Paris café – “Café de la Nouvelle Mairie”

This Café is right across the street from “Les Deux Compère” on Place de l’Estrapade, in Emily’s Neighborhood. Mindy and Emily are meeting here for breakfast in Episode 5 and you see it often in the background throughout the show.

Address: 19 Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques

Marketing Agency Savoir

Step in Emily’s shoes and head over to 6 Place de Valois, the original filming location of Savoir, Emily’s workplace. I honestly doubt that it served as well as the location of the interior scenes, but it surely was the exterior set.  The location is in reality as fancy as on the show – it’s right in the center of Paris, in the 1st arrondissement. Just a stone throw away from the Louvre and the beautiful Palais Royal!

Address: 6 Place de Valois

Le Jardin du Palais Royal

As the Palais Royal is just a few meters away from her office at Savoir, it’s not surprising that Emily chose this garden as her lunch spot. It’s also the place where she meets Mindy for the first time in Episode 1.

Address: 8 Rue de Montpensier 

Café de Flore

Do you remember when she meets Thomas? The philosophy teacher? Or with Gabriel’s words “the Snob”? To be honest with you, there are quite some guys like Thomas in Paris. Anyway, they meet at Café de Flore, in Saint-Germain-de-Prés. The iconic café became famous in the ’30s when Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir made it their hang-out place. But you probably know that already!

Address: 172 boulevard Saint-Germain

Buren Columns

This isn’t an obvious place and you maybe didn’t even notice it, but the Buren Columns are quickly shown in a series of pictures that are showing Emily and Mindy after their dinner at the Maison Rose.

Address: 2 Rue de Montpensier

Maison Rose

The “Maison Rose” in Montmartre is one of the few locations in “Emily in Paris” that is not in the center of Paris or near her apartment in the 5th arrondissement. Emily and Mindy are having dinner in this beautiful location, right next to the Sacre Coeur.

Address: 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir

Rue de l’Abreuvoir

The second filming location that features Montmartre is Rue de l’Abreuvoir. It’s known to be the prettiest street in Paris, hence not surprising that Emily picks it as the location for the campaign where she sets up the bed!  I

But you can also see this famous street as well in Episode 5 when Emily and Mindy walk through Paris after having dinner at the Maison Rose.

If you consider picking beautiful Montmartre as your hotel location, don’t miss our Montmartre Hotel guide!

Pont Alexandre III

It’s believed to be the most beautiful bridge in Paris. Covered in golden ornaments, statues of winged horses, and Art Nouveau Lamps, it has some of the most amazing views of Paris. It’s also the chosen film location of the controversial perfume commercial. Do you remember the naked lady? That’s the one. Sexy or Sexist, Episode 3

Café de l’Homme

The launch party for the said perfume takes place in the Café de l’homme – a rooftop brasserie in the Trocadero – with really the best view of the Eiffel Tower.

Address: 17 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre

Le Flore En L’ile

In Episode 1, Emily spends the evening on her own in a Restaurant by the Seine. Luc passes by on an electric scooter (which is a fun detail as those are very common in Paris due to the many strikes and of course Covid-19). However, the traditional restaurant is located on the Île-Saint-Louis and is famous for selling ice cream from Berthillon – supposedly the best in Paris!

Address: 42 Quai d’Orléans

Opéra Garnier

Swan Lake wasn’t up to Thomas’ standards (Gabriel was right calling him a snob, wasn’t he?!) but the Ballet is only one reason to visit the Opéra! The Palais Garnier building is beautiful and if you are following Emily’s footprints or not – don’t miss it 🙂 Check here for more information and schedules.

Address: Place de l’Opéra

Seine Cruise Private Tour

I am not sure you can find a captain as attractive as Mathieu Cadault, but you totally can reconstruct this Emily experience and take a private tour on the Seine. If this is out of your budget, I have good news: you might have noticed the big ships that are cruising on the Seine and that you can spot whenever Emily stands on one of Paris many bridges. They are called Bateaux Mouches and are a pretty affordable alternative to a private captain. For bookings and more information click here.

L’Atelier des Lumières

You can by your tickets here. But be quick, it’s often sold out.

That awkward moment when Camille convinces Emily to go out with her and Gabriel. Would you have gone? However, luckily they are heading to the Atelier des Lumières, it’s a beautiful and distracting immersive installation – and it’s dark, that covered surely some tension!

However, if you plan to visit – It is usually booked out weeks ahead, so be quick! Click here for more info and bookings.

Address: 38 Rue Saint-Maur

Canal Saint-Martin

In episode 6 “Ringarde”, better known as “basic bitch”, Emily and Thomas happen to have a double date with Camille and Gabriel. However, while the date isn’t going that well, you get to know a new area of Paris – the Canal Saint-Martin. It’s a hip area in the north of the Marais with loads of bars and restaurants. The place they are dining at is the Crêperie Lulu la Nantaise.

Château Lalisse in the Champagne Region

Emily gets invited to spend a weekend in Camille’s family’s castle in Episode 8, which is supposedly located in the Champagne region. But while the scenery does indeed look like the Champagne, the filming took place at Château de Sonnay in the Loire region. The site is however closed at the moment.

In case you wondered: when Emily takes a bike ride to join the Champagne tour, she passes by a bridge. It’s located in Chinon and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

To live the spirit, I can warmly recommend visiting the Champagne region though. I have been there shortly before the pandemic kicked in and had a wonderful time. You can read more about it here, including a step-by-step guide on how to organize this simple trip from Paris. (it’s only 40 min by train!)

Emily in Paris Locations Map

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know if there is any location I didn’t cover and I will do my best to find the spot. Feel free to also check out my other Paris itineraries!

Do you have any questions or need more information? Join the Salut from Paris Facebook group!

Did you enjoy this article? Share it, so other can find it, too: