by Judy Karnia

My first visit to Paris was for my husband’s graduation gift and I hadn’t known much about it. Watching both the movie Midnight in Paris and the hit Netflix show Emily in Paris reminded me of how the city quickly enamored me. In both of these, you will get a glimpse of many iconic Parisian sites, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe, as well as many cafes and museums.

Midnight in Paris opens with a montage of beautiful sights while Emily’s main reason for jogging seems to be to showcase what is in the background for those Emily in Paris shots. Also, in Midnight in Paris, Gil loves the history and art of Paris, while Emily loves its fashion and liveliness.

Breaking it Down

One of the sights worth visiting in Paris is the Musee Rodin. Gil strolls past The Thinker with his fiancée and friends as they discuss the art. The beautiful, manicured garden includes many of Rodin’s sculptures by which I strolled on a warm, sunny day on a recent visit. The 18th-century mansion, where Rodin once lived, now houses many more sculptures and sketches, including the marble masterpiece, The Kiss. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and only costs 13 euros. Tip: Buy your ticket online ahead of time.

Both characters visit Versailles, a must-see for all Paris visitors. Versailles lies about 15 miles from Paris and is easy to reach by train. Gil’s visit with friends reflects the usual visitor experience, while Emily watches a fashion show in the Hall of Mirrors. You can see the entire chateau, including the magnificent hall, and explore the gardens with many beautiful fountains. While the gardens are free on some days, it is worth the extra money to visit on the days when the fountains are flowing and set to music. Tip: Buy your return trip ticket as well to avoid the lines at the station in Versailles.

One museum in which Gil and Emily go to a party is off-the-radar for most tourists but worth seeking out. The Musee des Artes Forains mainly hosts special events but offers tours as well. The museum showcases rides and attractions from 19th and 20th-century fairgrounds. Each one has been restored to its former beauty and functionality.

When we were there, we rode three carousels, including one made of metal bikes on a rail that we powered with our pedals. The children had the first crack at a horse race game in which balls were rolled into variously scored holes. The adults had their chance next and my 17-year-old daughter put in great effort to win this round. The museum sits just off the Seine in the 11th Arrondissement. Buy tickets online 2-3 weeks before your trip. The tours are mainly on Wednesdays and weekends. The 90-minute tour is in French but an English description is available.

Within a five-minute walk, you can visit the key locations for each show. The steps where Gil gets picked up in the car that takes him back in time belong to Saint-Etienne-du-Mont. After taking your picture on the steps, head into this magnificent 16th-century church. As I walked past, lively organ music drew me inside. Immense columns line the 80-foot-long nave and two stone spiral staircases border the altar. Multiple small altars, filled with large paintings and sculptures, line each side.

Walk past the Parthenon, the site of Emily’s phone breakup, to Place de l’Estrapade where Emily and Gabriel live. Gabriel’s restaurant was not yet open for the day but I bought a thick, flavorful slice of pizza at Boulangerie Moderne, where Emily met a friendly French proprietress. You can walk another ten minutes to Polidor, the restaurant where in Midnight in Paris Gil meets Ernest Hemingway.

Midnight in Paris and Emily in Paris showcase one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Tip: watch one or both of them before heading to Paris for these and other ideas of places to visit.