Hello travelers,
It hasn't been mentioned in a while on this post, and with all the newbies heading to France, I thought I would mention 2 great ways to help get ready for your French vacation. While doing your research online, tune in to www.jazzradio.com/pariscafe for some great tunes. Also get a glass of wine and watch Woody Allen's wonderful movie "Midnight in Paris". A great way to spend an evening! Enjoy France!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
uh oh, now I'm listening to great music and missing Paris more than ever.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
We watched Midnight in Paris before going to Paris. The photo montage in the first 60 seconds of the film is maybe the best Paris-scapes I've ever seen back-to-back .
Other films:
La Vie En Rose (with Marion Cotillard, who was Adriana in Midnight in Paris)
Gigi
Da Vinci Code (I'd forgotten scenes were filmed in St. Sulpice)
Phantom of the Opera
Marie Antoinette (you won't want to go to the Conciergerie after seeing this)
The Man in the Iron Mask (possible connections with Vaux-le-Vicomte)
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I create great French Pop playlists on my iphone -- you can get a lot of great stuff on iTunes. I start listening to them prior to my trip.
Great, amusing books by Polly Platt will help you understand the French. And the movie "Amelie" should be required.
Posted by
Birmingham AL
346 posts
Nice thread!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
I just now watched La Vie En Rose, with Marion Cotillard's Oscar-winning performance (the only French actress to win the Best Actress Oscar [edit] in a French-speaking role). She was also in Midnight in Paris (as Adriana, Pablo Picasso's love interest).
Posted by
22 posts
French Kiss - if only to hear Kevin Kline's French accent. :)
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
FYI - Simone Signoret, French actress, also won best actress Oscar, in 1959.
Posted by
St. Louis, MO, USA
229 posts
We are leaving in three weeks - I have to add these movies to my list. I would also add Amelie!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
BG,
Yes, I meant in a French speaking role (but I forgot to say that and have now edited to add that qualifier).
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Hi Kent -- no problem!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
Two more whimsically romantic views of Paris:
Hugo, from the not-typically-whimsical Martin Scorsese, set in an 1930s train station (originally in 3-D) which a boy has turned into his playground.
Amalie, an enchanting vision of contemporary life seen through old community bistro habits, starring the enduringly enchanting Audrey Tautou. Five Oscar nominations.
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
355 posts
I have a movie to add... Just watched it this weekend - My Old Lady - with Maggie Smith, Kristin Scott Thomas and Kevin Kline (without the French accent). It is set in the Marais and is about the ever so crazy "viager" system of French real estate.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Please don't forget the film PARIS, JE T'AIME. It's a film made up about different stories in many arrondissements. They're not all happy, but they're memorable!
Posted by
41 posts
THANKS! Pandora has a great station - French Classics, great station, great vibe! I have been reading The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough - loving it. Next on the list - watch "Midnight in Paris"...gotta put the kids to bed early!