The Emily in Paris Effect: Why These Locations Matter
Since its debut on Netflix in October 2020, Emily in Paris has become a global cultural phenomenon, inspiring millions of viewers to book flights to Paris and seek out the show’s most iconic filming locations. The series, created by Darren Star and starring Lily Collins as the American marketing executive Emily Cooper, has been credited with a measurable tourism boost to Paris, with hotels, restaurants, and landmarks featured in the show reporting significant increases in visitor traffic. The show’s fourth season, released in 2024, continued to showcase both beloved and new Paris locations, further fueling the trend of “set-jetting,” or traveling to destinations seen on screen.
The appeal of Emily in Paris filming locations goes beyond simple celebrity association. The show captures Paris at its most visually stunning, with cinematography that emphasizes golden-hour light on Haussmann boulevards, candlelit terrace dinners, sunrise walks along the Seine, and the kind of effortless Parisian glamour that has captivated audiences worldwide. Visiting these locations allows fans to step directly into the show’s world while also experiencing genuine Parisian landmarks, restaurants, and neighborhoods that are worth visiting regardless of their television fame. This guide covers every major filming location across all seasons, organized into walkable routes, with practical tips for visiting each spot. For more, see our guide to best things to do in Paris.
Emily’s Apartment and Neighborhood: Place de l’Estrapade (5th Arrondissement)
Emily’s fictional apartment building is located at Place de l’Estrapade in the 5th arrondissement, and this charming square serves as the backdrop for many of the show’s most memorable scenes. The square features a small park with benches, a best cafés in Paris (Café de la Mairie, though the exterior seen in the show is a different establishment), and elegant Haussmann-era buildings with classic Parisian architecture. In the show, Emily’s apartment overlooks the square, and many scenes show her arriving home, chatting with neighbors, or rushing out the door. The real square is equally charming in person, with a peaceful atmosphere that feels miles away from the tourist crowds of nearby attractions.
While you cannot enter Emily’s fictional apartment (the interior was built on a soundstage), visiting Place de l’Estrapade is a worthwhile experience. The square is located near the Panthéon, the Sorbonne, and the lively Rue Mouffetard market. Combine your visit with an exploration of the Latin Quarter, one of Paris’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods. The nearby Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques has several excellent restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy a meal with a view of the street that Emily walks along in the show.
The Savoir Agency Office: Place de l’Opéra (9th Arrondissement)
The exterior of the Savoir marketing agency, where Emily works in seasons one through three, is filmed at a building near the Place de l’Opéra in the 9th arrondissement. The stunning Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) serves as the dramatic backdrop for several scenes, and the grand boulevards surrounding the opera house feature prominently throughout the series. The 9th arrondissement, often overlooked by tourists, is one of Paris’s most interesting neighborhoods, home to the Grands Boulevards, the Galeries Lafayette department store, and an excellent dining scene that has been revitalized in recent years.
Visit the Palais Garnier even if you are not an opera fan, as the building is one of the most spectacular in Paris. The grand staircase, the auditorium with its Marc Chagall ceiling, and the opulent foyers are breathtaking. Tickets for guided tours cost approximately €17 and are available without advance booking. The area around Place de l’Opéra also features several excellent cafés and restaurants, making it a perfect spot for a filming-location-themed lunch break.
Pont Alexandre III: The Most Romantic Bridge in Paris
Pont Alexandre III is without question the most frequently filmed location in Emily in Paris, appearing in multiple seasons as the backdrop for some of the show’s most romantic and dramatic moments. This magnificent bridge, widely considered the most beautiful in Paris, spans the Seine between the 7th and 8th arrondissements and connects the Invalides esplanade with the Champs-Élysées area. The bridge features stunning Beaux-Arts architecture, including gilded bronze statues, ornate lampposts, and magnificent nymph sculptures at each end.
The bridge is best visited at sunset, when the golden light illuminates the gilded sculptures and the Eiffel Tower (visible from the bridge) begins to glow. This is the exact time of day when the show’s most iconic bridge scenes were filmed, and the real-life view is just as breathtaking. Stand at the center of the bridge for the most dramatic views in both directions. The bridge is free to visit and is accessible 24 hours a day. For the full Emily experience, walk from the Invalides end toward the Champs-Élysées, pausing at the center to take in the view that has been seen by millions of Netflix viewers.
Emily’s Favorite Café Locations
Café de la Mairie — 4th Arrondissement
The café where Emily frequently meets friends and colleagues is located in the Place de l’Estrapade area. The real Café de la Mairie, situated on the Place Saint-Sulpice in the 6th arrondissement, serves as one of the show’s most recognizable café locations. This charming neighborhood café, with its distinctive red awning and outdoor terrace, has become a pilgrimage site for fans of the show. The café serves classic French bistro fare at reasonable prices, and sitting on the terrace with an espresso while watching the Saint-Sulpice church across the square is a quintessential Parisian experience, whether or not you are a fan of the show.
Terrass” Hotel — Montmartre guide
The stunning rooftop scenes that appear throughout the series, with panoramic views of the Paris skyline including the Eiffel Tower, were filmed at the Terrass” Hotel in Montmartre. This four-star hotel, located on the steep Rue Joseph de Maistre, features a rooftop bar and restaurant that offers one of the most spectacular views in Paris. While the hotel is a private establishment, the rooftop bar is open to non-guests, and arriving around sunset for a cocktail while watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle is an unforgettable experience. Reservations are strongly recommended, as the rooftop is extremely popular. Expect to pay approximately €12 to €18 for a cocktail.
Jardin du Luxembourg: Emily’s Running and Relaxation Spot
The Jardin du Luxembourg appears frequently throughout the series as the park where Emily jogs, meets friends, and escapes the intensity of city life. This 61-acre park, located in the 6th arrondissement, is one of the most beautiful public gardens in Paris and a genuine highlight of any visit. The park features the stunning Luxembourg Palace, the Medici Fountain (one of the most romantic spots in Paris), formal French gardens, an orchard, a puppet theater, and the iconic green metal chairs that are perfect for relaxing with a book.
The park is free to enter and is open from approximately 7:30 AM to sunset. The Medici Fountain, located on the eastern side of the park, is a particularly beautiful spot and appears in several scenes. The tree-lined promenades where Emily is shown jogging are perfect for a morning walk or run. The park also has a café near the palace where you can enjoy coffee and pastries while watching Parisians play bocce, chess, and tennis on the surrounding courts.
Key Paris Landmarks Featured in the Show
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower appears in virtually every episode of Emily in Paris, often in ways that make it seem even more magical than it already is. Key filming locations include the Trocadéro plaza (the classic viewpoint across from the tower), the Champ de Mars (the park below the tower), and the Avenue de Camoëns, a residential street in the 16th arrondissement that offers one of the most photogenic framed views of the tower between Haussmann buildings. The Avenue de Camoëns location has become one of the most popular Instagram spots in Paris since appearing in the show. For the best photo, visit early in the morning before the crowds arrive.
Le Marais guide and Place des Vosges
The charming streets of Le Marais feature prominently throughout the series, with Emily frequently shown shopping, dining, and exploring this historic neighborhood. Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris with its distinctive red-brick buildings and symmetrical arcades, appears in several romantic scenes. The Marais offers some of the best shopping in Paris, from high-end boutiques on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois to vintage shops on Rue des Rosiers. The neighborhood is also home to some of the best falafel in Paris at L’As du Fallafel, which has appeared in the show.
Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle, the stunning 13th-century Gothic chapel on the Île de la Cité, appears in one of the show’s most visually spectacular scenes. The chapel’s upper level, with its 15 towering stained glass windows that depict over 1,100 biblical scenes, is one of the most breathtaking interior spaces in the world. The way the light streams through the stained glass creates a kaleidoscope of color that is genuinely awe-inspiring and even more impressive in person than on screen. Tickets cost approximately €11 and should be booked online in advance to avoid queues.
A Self-Guided Emily in Paris Filming Locations Walking Tour
Route 1: The Classic Emily Experience (Half Day)
Start at Place de l’Estrapade (Emily’s apartment square) in the 5th arrondissement. Walk south to the Panthéon and then to the Jardin du Luxembourg for a morning stroll through Emily’s favorite park. Take the Metro to Saint-Sulpice to see the Café de la Mairie area. Walk through Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the Seine, then cross the river to the 8th arrondissement. Walk to Pont Alexandre III for the show’s most iconic views. End at the Trocadéro for the classic Eiffel Tower viewpoint at sunset. This route covers approximately 5 kilometers and takes four to five hours at a leisurely pace with stops.
Route 2: Montmartre and Northern Paris (Half Day)
Take the Metro to Abbesses station and climb to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for panoramic views of Paris. Walk through the Montmartre streets featured in the show, including Place du Tertre and the staircases where several scenes were filmed. End at the Terrass” Hotel rooftop bar for a cocktail with an Eiffel Tower view. This route covers approximately 3 kilometers and takes about three hours including the rooftop stop.
Practical Tips for Visiting Emily in Paris Locations
Manage expectations. While the locations are real and genuinely beautiful, television production enhances everything with perfect lighting, carefully arranged props, and editing magic. The real café may not look exactly as it does on screen, and the views may be less dramatic in person. Embrace the reality and appreciate the authentic Paris that the show represents.
Visit early in the day. The most popular filming locations (Pont Alexandre III, Trocadéro, Place de l’Estrapade) can be extremely crowded during peak hours. Visiting before 10 AM will give you a much more enjoyable and photogenic experience.
Combine with authentic Paris experiences. Do not limit yourself to Emily in Paris locations. Use them as a starting point to explore the surrounding neighborhoods, which are full of excellent restaurants, shops, and attractions that have nothing to do with the show but are equally wonderful.
Book tickets online for attractions. Sainte-Chapelle, the Palais Garnier, and other ticketed attractions should be booked online in advance through the official websites to avoid queues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emily in Paris actually filmed in Paris?
Yes, the vast majority of the exterior scenes in Emily in Paris are filmed on location in Paris. Interior scenes are primarily filmed on soundstages, but virtually every exterior shot you see in the show is a real Paris location. The production films primarily between January and June each year, so you may even spot filming if you visit during these months.
Can you visit all Emily in Paris filming locations?
Yes, all exterior filming locations are public spaces that can be visited for free. Private establishments like restaurants and hotels that appear in the show are also accessible to the public, though some rooftop areas may require a reservation or a hotel stay. The apartment interior cannot be visited as it was built on a soundstage.
How many days do you need to visit all Emily in Paris locations?
Two days is sufficient to visit all major filming locations at a leisurely pace. One day for the central Paris locations (5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th arrondissements) and one day for Montmartre and Le Marais would cover essentially everything. Many locations can be combined with other Paris sightseeing for a more comprehensive experience.
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