Audrey Hepburn and Paris

“Paris is always a good idea”(Audrey Hepburn)

Audrey Hepburn loved Paris. And even though she has never lived in the city of lights, there is a real connection between Audrey Hepburn and Paris.

Audrey Hepburn, one of the greatest actress and fashion icon. The essence of grace and style. Audrey Hepburn after retiring from acting , served as ambassador for UNICEF. Audrey Hepburn, a great person. 

Audrey Hepburn made 6 films that used Paris locations : Notre Dame, La Tournelle Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, the Ritz, Hotel Raphaël, Le Louvre… and many more… 

Sabrina

Sabrina (1954 – directed by Billy Wilder) With this movie, it’s the start of her partnership with the French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy whose outfits turned her into a fashion icon. Hubert de Givenchy created several of the dresses she wore in the film. Paris is not the setting for this film. However, Sabrina attends “Le Cordon Bleu”, on of the most famous culinary schools in the world. 

Audrey Hepburn to Humphrey Bogart : “Paris isn’t for changing planes, it’s for changing your outlook ! For throwing open windows and letting in la vie en rose.“

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Funny face

(Listen to the song “Bonjour Paris” which Paris in the background)

Funny face (1957 – a musical romantic comedy film directed by Stanley Donen – Songs by George and Ira Gershwin –  starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire ) The film is shot in Paris with Fred Astaire who’s character is based on the real-life photographer, Richard Avedon. This film is a tribute to Paris and it’s Audrey Hepburn’s favorite film. 

In Le Louvre, in front of the Victory of Samothrace

Some of the locations : The characters sing and dance the way around some of the most famous landmarks in Paris : in front of the Winged Victory of Samothrace at the Musée du Louvre, Notre Dame, The Arc de Thriomphe, on the top of the Eiffel Tower, the shore of the Seine, in front of the Pont des Arts, in front of the Arc du Carrousel with balloons. 

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Love in the afternoon

Love in the afternoon (1957 – a romantic comedy film directed by Billy Wilder – Staring Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper)  

 Location : the Ritz Hotel. 

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Charade

Charade (1963 – a thriller directed by Stanley Donen and where she starred with Cary Grant). One critic called the film “The best Hitchock film that Hitchock never made.”. 

Locations : The two characters travel all over Paris. They meet up in front of the marionette theater in the champs Elysées, they go for a stroll by the Seine, in front of the Pont au Double near Notre Dame (where Gene Kelly danced in An American in Paris), in the metro Saint Jacques, in the theater of La Comédie française (near the Palais Royal), in the Cernuschi Museum (near the Parc Monceau), the US Embassy, Monge street, Censier street, the Archeveché Bridge, 

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Paris when it sizzles

Paris when it sizzles (1964, a comedy  directed by William Holden)

Locations : George V avenue, the Palais Royal and the Chalet de la Grande Cascade, a ritzy outdoor restaurant in the Bois de Boulogne. 

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How to steal a Million

How to steal a Million (1966, a romance directed by William Wyler where she starred with Peter O’Toole. 

Locations : the exteriors of the Ritz Hotel, the Jacquemart André museum, the Cathédrale of Notre Dame,  La Tournelle bridge,  but the interiors were filmed in the Boulogne Billancourt studios (outskirt of Paris). 

Two for the road

Two for the road (1967, a comedy drama directed by Stanley Donen, where she starred with Albert Finney), though it wasn’t filmed in Paris street but in the Boulogne Billancourt studios and in the south of France too. It was the last film Audrey Hepburn made in France. She then returned to Paris occasionally and continued to collaborate with Givenchy. 

Other Locations :

While filming with William Holden on the roof of the Hotel Raphaël

Givenchy’s studio, 3, avenue Georges V – Paris 8

Raphaël Hotel (17 avenue Kléber – Paris 16) : It was Audrey’s home during the Parisian films that she shot during her career

Angelina (226, rue de Rivoli) : Audrey Hepburn liked this place very much.

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Cernuschi Museum : 7 avenue Velasquez – Paris 8

Musée Jacquemart André : 158 boulevard Haussmann – Paris 8 

More information about Jacquemart André Muséum : Click here to read the article

Hotel Ritz : 15 place Vendôme – Paris 1

US Embassy : 4 avenue Gabriel – Paris 8

Le Cordon Bleu : 8 rue Léon Delhomme – Paris 15

The Puppet theater on the Champs Elysées : It still operates today – Rond Point des Champs Elysées – Paris 8

Givenchy’s studio, 3, avenue Georges V – Paris 8

Raphaël Hotel  :  17 avenue Kléber – Paris 16

Angelina : 226, rue de Rivoli- Paris 1

“Anne Jeanne in Paris’ walks” : Ann Jeanne in Paris offers a walk in Audrey Hepburn’s fashionable Paris. Click on the link below.

Link to “Audrey Hepburn’s fashionable Paris walk” article