Watching a movie filmed in Paris in a Parisian movie theater is one of my recommendations to enjoy Paris to its fullest. In any movie filmed in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is always visible in the background because of its iconic nature, whether the tower is a significant plot element or it’s the symbol of Paris, whether the film is centered on the city or Paris is only a mention.
The Eiffel Tower has frequently been featured not only in movies, but also in TV shows and video games. The following list covers many of the Eiffel Tower’s stunning appearances in 21st Century’s pop culture.
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French Kiss (2015)
There was one “French Kiss” filmed in 1995, but this one that I am recommending here is a new movie filmed in 2015. It was a pleasant surprise to come across this movie. The film was completely shot in Paris and the film maker is very creative.
The story is centered on Ethan (Tyler Ritter), an American in Paris on a business trip. Margaux (Margot Luciarte) is a beautiful and mischievous young Parisian woman who admires Ethan from afar. Ethan is obsessed with work. Margaux tricks him into following her brilliant world of wonder and adventure, showing him the beauty of the city through her eyes.
The two finally meet in front of the Eiffel Tower.
BioShock Infinite (2013)
“It wasn’t really Paris, it was more… it was more the world as I want to see it.”
―Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a fictional character, a young woman and A.I. companion in BioShock Infinite, a first-person shooter video game, the third installment in the BioShock franchise. The game is set in the year 1912 in a sky city (named Columbia).
Elizabeth is locked in a tower to prevent her from leaving Columbia because she has the powers to make and exploit “Tears”, which are rips to other universes.
Elizabeth has a romantic obsession with Paris and she mentions Paris frequently throughout the game.
In her tower, Elizabeth was exposed to Parisian art, architecture, literature, and fashion via books or by peeking through Tears.
Elizabeth opens up a Tear to an alternate version of Paris in 1983, similar to the one in the painting in her tower.
BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea, Episode 2 (2014)
Burial at Sea is a two-episode expansion to BioShock Infinite. At the beginning of Episode 2, Elizabeth experiences a romantic dream where she is living in Paris circa 1912.
The Smurfs 2 (2013)
The Smurfs 2 is a 2013 American 3D family comedy film and a sequel to the 2011 film The Smurfs. The Eiffel Tower plays a vital role in the plot.
The Saboteur (2009)
The Saboteur is a neo-noir open world third person action-adventure video game set during World War II in German-occupied France. The Eiffel tower plays a vital role in the plot.
Rush Hour 3 (2007)
The Eiffel tower plays a vital role in Rush Hour 3, which is a 2007 American martial arts/buddy action comedy film and the third film in the Rush Hour series, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
“The Eiffel Tower can be seen from ANY window in Paris!”
— “Hollywood Rule Book”, Vanity Fair
Civilization IV (2005)
Civilization IV (also known as Civilization 4 or Civ4) is a turn-based strategy computer game and the fourth installment of the Civilization series. The Eiffel Tower can be built as a World Wonder.
Le Divorce (2003)
Le Divorce is a 2003 Merchant Ivory Productions film. The Eiffel Tower’s elevators, stairways and various levels are seen extensively near the end of the film Le Divorce. An expensive red Hermes bag is also thrown off the Eiffel Tower at one point in the film.
While watching the Eiffel Tower in pop culture isn’t the same as seeing it for real, its presence in movies, TV shows and video games is no doubt a great supplement to the enjoyment.
See Also
Eiffel Tower Scenes in Movies (images)
The Eiffel Tower turns 125: the tower on film
The Eiffel Tower – on the Screen
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I like the story behind ”French kiss” movie, I will have to see it!
It’s true, very fine way to get (or stay) in touch with Paris spirit it to see its appearances in movies and in pop culture in general.
I loved the animated optimistic movie Ratatouille about the charming little rat who is in love with cooking, and his devise – Everyone can cook 🙂
I would also recommend a lovely story about a friendship between two very different but equally sensitive people that is also filmed in Paris, it’s called ”Mr Morgan’s last love”. Eiffel’s tower makes effective appearance in this movie as well
The “old lady” in all her splendor.
In some interviews, some actors and realisators are actually thinking that she is taking part in their movies as a real actress.
I agree. A French movie without her, is not a French movie. It’s like croissants without butter = they are not croissants!
Ah, *sigh* the Eiffel Tower, the statue that made me jump of my bus seat and run towards it as if trying to catch myself in the open, grayish thin air. Everyone draws inspiration from the timeless beauty itself and tries to capture it through the lens of a virtual reality. From all of these films I’ve only seen French Kiss from 1995.
As they say Paris is always a great idea with the Eiffel Tower taking center stage.
Finding the Eiffel Tower as the center element of the panorama of a movie scene is always pleasant. As you say, the Eiffel Tower is an iconic symbol of the pop-culture, so we find it not only in movies, but in video games, comics, series, etc. That increases our desire to go to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower with our own eyes. So that is why when heading to Paris, the first thought that comes to our minds is this magic icon, and when we get off the plane the first place we want to go is to the Eiffel Tower.
When I got off the plane, I didn’t go to the Eiffel Tower. I just “lived” like a Parisian and suddenly I saw it and realized it’s so close yet so far. It’s not an “attraction” to visit when you get off the plane; it’s always there accompanying you once you’re in Paris.