From stage to screen: Filming locations in Provence and Côte d'Azur

Nice is inextricably tied to the history of cinema on the Côte d’Azur. Since the Roaring Twenties, hundreds of films have been shot in the legendary Victorine Studios, making the city one of the foremost cradles of French cinema. From grand palaces to the historic Vieux-Nice, lined with narrow lanes and colourful facades, Nice offers a naturally stunning backdrop, coveted by movie directors. Memories of films such as Bay of Angels or Brice de Nice accompany on your stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais, a venue that has inspired many movie makers. Just down the road, Villefranche-sur-Mer and its spectacular bay, immortalized by Alfred Hitchcock in To Catch a Thief, is another beloved destination frequented by some of the world’s top stars. With their sunny, profoundly southern French atmosphere, Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer form a must-do first act in your foray into the world of film.

Prized by directors for many years for its stunning natural light and Mediterranean elegance, Antibes is naturally an intrinsic part of the great story of cinema on the Côte d’Azur. It has been the beautiful setting for movies such as Fear City with Alain Chabat and his comedy crew, or Rust and Bone starring Marion Cotillard. Antibes also prides in having welcomed one of world’s most famous names in 1983: James Bond, played by Sean Connery. A few years later, Prince also chose this glittering backdrop for his hit Under the Cherry Moon. Prolong the movie pilgrimage just next door in Vallauris: the town was the location for The ComDads, as well as Picasso, depicting the artist painting his masterpiece War and Peace on the vaulted ceiling of Vallauris chapel – another must-see sight.

No Côte d’Azur movie tour would be complete without Cannes! In addition to the world-famed Cannes Film Festival, the town is a genuine movie capital, with nods to the world of film at every twist and turn. The Croisette still echoes to the palpitating car chase in Fear City, while Cannes’ prestigious palaces – true architectural icons – have acted as backdrops for countless films and welcomed international stars and film crews alike. Cannes is also part and parcel of such cult films as Bay of Angels, Any Number Can Win, Dead Tired and French Kiss, capturing the elegance and radiance of the Riviera to perfection. Cannes’ gorgeous beaches, streets and casinos embody the unique blend of glamour, sunlight and carefree spirit so typical of the Riviera.

A little fishing village that became an international icon… Saint-Tropez, of course, owes its fame partly to the movies. In the 1950s, And God Created Woman launched Brigitte Bardot’s career and propelled the village onto the world stage. Later, the Troops of Saint-Tropez saga anchored the village in the minds of all, transforming the gendarmerie and port into iconic locations. Meander through the historic quarter, stroll along the old port and stop to marvel at the Citadel, on the trail of some of the movie world’s most legendary scenes. Beyond the summertime glamour and glitter, Saint-Tropez is still redolent with a delightful Provençal authenticity that continues to captivate filmmakers. From blockbusters to Mediterranean scenery, it is an iconic destination, shaped by the indelible mark of the movies.

La Ciotat boasts a place apart in the history of cinema. It was here, at the Eden Theatre, that the Lumière brothers screened the first ever moving film, making this venue the oldest movie theatre still in operation today. Loaded with emotion and memories, it propels visitors back to the origins of the seventh art. In addition to its cinematographic legacy, La Ciotat’s port, ancient shipyards – now a nautical cluster – and scenery embracing Mediterranean waves and Calanques fjords, never fail to delight. The atmosphere is both authentic and inspiring, perfect for rest and reverie. As you roam the town, it’s easy to see that cinema was an intrinsic part of the town’s identity, well before today’s blockbusters. A great place for movie buffs keen to delve into the evolution of cinema from its débuts to the natural decors that continue to inspire film directors today.

It’s time for a change of scenery in the Luberon, whose gentle light and hilltop villages have nourished the imagination of countless writers and filmmakers hungry for authenticity. In Bonnieux, Cucuron and Lourmarin, golden stone, shaded squares and undulating hills foster a picture-postcard vision of Provence, brought to fame by the delicious works of Peter Mayle. His novel A Year in Provence brought Provence’s legendary lifestyle to international audiences and went on to become a miniseries, while Un Bon Cru was the inspiration for Ridley Scott’s film A Good Year starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard, partly filmed on location in the Luberon. Yet cinema is happy to take a back seat here in intimate and inspiring Provence, leaving the landscapes to take the leading role…

Our movie adventure ends in the powerful, personality-packed city of Marseille. A city of many contrasts, it has been the location for numerous film productions including the very-cult Taxi saga, Stillwater, Transatlantic and, of course, The Count of Monte Cristo. From the Old Port to the popular quarters and islands of Frioul, the Ancient Greek city boasts a unique variety of décors, combining maritime horizons, urban bustle and mountainous backdrops. Its raw energy, quality of light and assertive identity seduces filmmakers seeking realism and sincerity. Marseille isn’t just a great filming location, it is a genuine world apart, with its own special codes, intensity and authenticity. As you roam the city, you will recognize various locations brought to fame on the big screen that unveil yet another face of the movies – less glamorous than that of the Riviera perhaps, but equally powerful and genuine.