Paris, France - Watch Les Amants du Pont-Neuf before you go

Why You Should Visit Paris

Paris is one of the world’s most iconic cities—a timeless destination where history, art, cuisine, and romance converge. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, the French capital offers a unique blend of elegance and character that continues to captivate travellers from around the globe.

Wander along the banks of the Seine, admire the Eiffel Tower, or explore the treasures of the Louvre, home to world-famous masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Each neighbourhood (arrondissement) has its own distinct charm, from the bohemian buzz of Montmartre to the historic splendour of Le Marais. The city’s architecture, cafés, and manicured parks all contribute to an atmosphere that’s effortlessly enchanting.

Paris is also a paradise for food lovers. Whether you’re sampling buttery croissants in a corner bakery, enjoying a three-course meal in a bistro, or picnicking with cheese and wine in the Luxembourg Gardens, the city’s culinary scene is as varied as it is delicious.

For those looking to explore beyond the typical tourist trail, a visit to the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (Museum of Hunting and Nature) is a delightful surprise. Tucked away in the Marais, this quirky and beautifully curated museum blends contemporary art with historical objects in a setting that feels both surreal and enchanting. It’s a perfect example of how Paris continues to surprise even seasoned travellers.

With its artistic soul, historic grandeur, and effortlessly stylish atmosphere, Paris is a city that lives up to its reputation—and always leaves you wanting more. Whether you come for the landmarks or the little moments, Paris has a way of staying with you long after you leave. Time-Pressed Travel will create your ideal travel itinerary.

You Should Watch Les Amants du Pont-Neuf Before Visiting Paris

With such a rich and varied history of French cinema using Paris as a backdrop—from the whimsical charm of Amélie, the stylish tension of À bout de souffle, and the raw social realism of La Haine—choosing just one film to watch before your visit is no easy task. However, we’ve settled on Les Amants du Pont-Neuf as our top recommendation. Though not as widely known as some of these cinematic icons, it stands out for its raw intensity, poetic imagery, and deeply personal portrayal of the city. Its brilliance lies in showing a different side of Paris—gritty yet beautiful, passionate yet fractured—a version that lingers in your memory.

Watching Les Amants du Pont-Neuf (The Lovers on the Bridge) before visiting Paris offers a vivid and emotionally rich introduction to the city—one that goes beyond its postcard-perfect image and invites you to explore its grittier, more poetic side. Directed by Leos Carax and released in 1991, the film is a modern love story set against the backdrop of the Pont Neuf, Paris’s oldest standing bridge, and it presents the city in a way that is raw, romantic, and deeply human.

Unlike the glossy version of Paris often portrayed in mainstream cinema, Les Amants du Pont-Neuf focuses on those living on the margins of society. The story follows Alex, a homeless alcoholic and street performer, and Michèle, a young woman slowly losing her sight. Their passionate, chaotic relationship unfolds on and around the Pont Neuf, which at the time was under renovation and largely inaccessible to the public. This setting allows the film to turn the bridge—and Paris itself—into a stage for emotion, survival, and intimacy.

Watching the film before visiting Paris gives you a unique perspective. It shows a city not just of monuments and grandeur, but of hidden corners, quiet streets at dawn, and the lives that unfold away from the crowds. You’ll recognise familiar landmarks—the Louvre, the river Seine, Notre-Dame—but seen from unusual angles, often at night, drenched in melancholy or ecstasy. This different view of the city can make your own exploration feel more layered and meaningful.

Les Amants du Pont-Neuf is also a celebration of Paris as a canvas for art and emotion. There’s a haunting beauty in its visuals, from fireworks bursting over the Seine to slow-motion sequences of the lovers dancing on the bridge. The film blends gritty realism with moments of lyrical magic, echoing the complex character of the city itself—beautiful yet bruised, timeless yet always changing.

For travellers interested in art, cinema, or French culture, the film also offers insight into a particularly bold moment in French filmmaking. Leos Carax’s ambitious vision pushed the limits of production—at one point, an entire replica of the Pont Neuf was built for filming. This dedication to storytelling mirrors Paris’s own identity as a city that values artistic expression in all its forms.

Moreover, the film’s central themes—love, longing, and human vulnerability—resonate universally, but take on added depth when experienced in Paris, a city long associated with romance and creativity. After seeing the film, walking across the real Pont Neuf can feel like stepping into a scene: you’ll notice the curve of the stonework, the reflections in the river, and perhaps imagine the characters you’ve just come to know.

In essence, Les Amants du Pont-Neuf offers a deeper emotional lens through which to view Paris. It reminds you that beyond the landmarks and museums, the city is a place of real people, real struggles, and real passion. Watching it before your trip will not only enhance your appreciation of Paris—it will change how you see it.