The Blair Waldorf Guide to Paris
TOP 10 Gossip Girl filming locations in paris
BY: V. Rhodes
Gossip Girl (2007-2012), television series, Warner Bros Television. (S04E01)
How to Live Like Blair Waldorf: Paris Edition
Hey Upper Eastsiders… Where do you summer? Is it the beautiful streets of Paris? Take a tour with us through all of Blair Waldorf’s favourite Parisian spots. Drink the wine, see the art, eat the macaroons and of course find yourself a prince!
Although most of Gossip Girl (2007-2017) is set in New York City, you can’t truly feel the high society until you see these characters on vacation. And of course, none more glamorous than Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) herself. In season 1, Blair’s father moves to France and so throughout the show Paris is made reference to a lot.
It is not until the season four premiere where there are two full episodes set and filmed in Paris. In these episodes we follow Blair on her journey of meeting Prince Louis of Monaco (Hugo Becker), and Serena (Blake Lively) trying to find her missing step brother, Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick).
Walking through the streets of Paris is absolutely eclectic. More than any other city I’ve been to, Paris is coursing with magic! If you decide to just wander around Paris with no real plan, you’ll surely stumble upon something fabulous. If you want more of a plan, we have a couple of great GG spots for you to visit.
#1
Musée d'Orsay
Musée d'Orsay
1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007, Paris
S04E01 & S04E02
The Musée d'Orsay is one of my absolute favourite buildings in Paris. It is located on the left bank of the Seine, and screams old Paris (pronounced pah-rhee as the parisians do). What once was a turn of the century, beaux-arts train station has since been converted to a 19th century art gallery with over 3000 pieces. If you’re planning on visiting, get your tickets ahead of time. They sell out fast!
The Musée d'Orsay is where Blair had her big fairy-tale moment with Prince Louis. Blair was standing in front of ‘Le Déjeuner Sur L’herbe’ (english: Luncheon in the Grass), when Louis came up to talk to her. It is such a cliché meet-cute, but you know you loved it!
Although in GG the ‘Le Déjeuner Sur L’herbe’ is located on the main floor, in real life you can find this painting on the second level of the gallery. Tip of the trade: when you go up to the top level you can look out a huge window made from an existing clock face. Make sure you get a picture! It’s iconic!
#2
Gare du Nord
Gare du Nord
18 Rue de Dunkerque, 75010, Paris
S04E01 & S04E02
The Gare du Nord is the second old train station to make our list. What can I say, Paris train stations are incredibly picturesque. Unlike the Musée d'Orsay, this train station is still a train station. If you take the train into the city from the main Paris airport, Charles de Gaulle, you end up here at the Gare du Nord. This is where a lot of major connections are made, including an hour train ride to get you from the Paris core to Disneyland Paris.
If you’re having trouble remembering these scenes from the show, let me help you out. Blair’s outfit: the big, beautiful red dress! When Blair confronts Chuck about returning to New York (S04E02), it’s here at the Gare du Nord. This train station also serves as the background for when Chuck and Eva (Clémence Poésy) arrive in Paris in S04E01. A much less memorable scene, but still cool!
#3
chez julien
chez julien
1 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 Paris
S04E01 & S04E02
We have to talk about the cafés! There are a few cafés and restaurants that Blair and Serena frequent throughout these Paris episodes. Of course, the famous Chez Julien is a big one! You first see the pair meeting outside in their iconic Paris outfits. If someone knows where I can get Serena’s dress, please DM me!
Chez Julien is a hundred year old restaurant located on the right bank of the Seine. It is famous for classic french delicacies like frog legs and champagne. The current chef at Chez Julien is famous for his use of truffles in his dishes. I’ve read that the truffle mash potatoes are to die for.
#4
Café Louis Philippe
Café Louis Philippe
66 Quai de l'Hôtel de ville, 75004, Paris
S04E01 & S04E02
Across the street from Chez Julien, is Café Louis Philippe! This becomes a favourite spot for Blair and Serena. The opening of S04E02, Double Identity, shows the two discussing dating over a Parisian lunch.
Café Louis Philippe is around the corner from the famous street: rue des Barres. With the cobblestone roads, the unique shops and the beautiful old church, it has been regarded as one of the ‘prettiest streets in Paris’.
#5
Ladurée
Ladurée
75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris
S04E01, S04E02, S03E08, S05E12
Ladurée is a french patisserie that dates back to 1862 Paris. It is home to the iconic almond flour pastry: the macaroon. Ladurée believes that the patisserie is consumed by the eyes before it even reaches the mouth, which is why each and every macaroon is perfectly created and is brightly coloured.
Blair name-drops Ladurée quite often throughout the show. Often referring to the swanky Madison Ave location in New York. Even though they don’t go to he cafe, you can see Blair and Serena holding these iconic little green bags throughout the Paris episodes. You can make a reservation at the cafe and have a sit-down coffee and macaron. The inside is beautiful! High recommend!
Allergy Note: If you’re looking to try macaroons, be aware that they are made with almond flour. If you have a nut allergy like me, you’ll have to try and find a local bakery (like Whisked Gluten Free in Toronto) that creates a nut free version. As far as I know, all of the Ladurée macaroons are made in the traditional style with almond flour.
#6
Musée Baccarat (Cristal Room Restaurant)
Musée Baccarat (Cristal Room Restaurant)
11 Place des États-Unis, 75116, Paris
S04E01
The Cristal Room Restaurant is the backdrop for Blair and Serena’s double date with Louis and Jean Michel. It is also where Blair finds out Serena is attending Columbia with her, and freaks outs. And yes, this place is as swanky as it looks on screen. But what else would you expect for a first date with a prince.
#7
Fontaine Louvois
Fontaine Louvois
1 Rue de Louvois, 75002, Paris
S04E01
Pushing your best friend into an early 19th century Parisian fountain while on a date with the Prince of Monaco could not be more Gossip Girl. Ladies, this is what we watch the show for! Of course, this scene takes place in the middle of the Musée Baccarat double date. Blair returns totally unphased, and tries to snag the prince.
This fountain is beautiful, and very underrated. It was built between 1836-1839 as a tribute to the French rivers: the Seine, the Garonne, the Loire, and the Saône. It is tucked away behind the Bibliothèque de l'Institut national d'histoire de l'art (The National Institute for Art History Library) in the Square Louvois.
#8
Rue de Charenton / Rue Traversière
Rue de Charenton / Rue Traversière
Rue de Charenton / Rue Traversière, 75012, Paris
S04E02
At the beginning of this season, Chuck is believed to be dead. But since the show isn’t going to kill off a fan favourite, they have him pretend to be a new person and try to start a new life in Prague with new girlfriend, Eva Coupeau (Clémence Poésy). When Eva and Chuck move to Paris for work, Blair spots him at this location.
Blair is in a taxi on her way to meet Prince Louis, while Chuck is walking along these streets towards his new job. This is the first time they had seen eachother since Blair found out Chuck had slept with Jenny (Taylor Momsen), and Blair ended things.
#9
Le Baron Rouge
Le Baron Rouge
1 Rue Théophile Roussel, 75012 Paris
S04 E02
Eva Coupeau gets Chuck a job at her Uncle’s restaurant. That restaurant: Le Baron Rouge. This wine bar was voted by TimeOut as one of the top 100 bars in Paris. Great for a chill night out with great wine and a fantastic charcuterie. Serena is later at this location, trying to track down Chuck.
#10
Harry Winston
harry winston
29 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
S04 E01 & S04 E02
Blair has a long standing relationship with Harry Winston. The diamonds of course, not the person. Even as early as season 1, Blair is putting pieces on hold at this uber expensive jewelry store for her birthday. Let's reflect on this for a hot second. At 17, Blair calls the most expensive jewelry store in NYC and puts a $35,000 diamond necklace on hold, so that her 17 year old boyfriend can go buy it for her. If your high school boyfriend didn’t buy you a gift equivalent to a down payment on a house, did he even love you? Oh Blair, one of the many reasons we love you.
Most importantly, this is where Chuck buys Blair her engagement ring. When Chuck gets mugged in Europe, the thieves try to bring the ring back to Harry Winston’s for cash. Long story short, Serena is asked to pick up his belongings, and Blair happens to be there because Louis is buying her jewelry. Blair sees the ring for the first time, and realizes it was for her. She later gives it back to him at the Gare du Nord.
Also, Harry Winston confirmed that this ring cost $59,000. The absolute wealth these characters have is incredible.
BONUS
Pont Alexandre III Bridge
Pont Alexandre III
Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris, France
S04E01
And lastly, of course we have to talk about this gif! This location was only used in one montage, but it has become one of the most iconic shots to come from GG - Blair carrying all her shopping bags walking along the Pont Alexandre III at sunrise.
A couple of things if you plan on recreating this shot: 1 - the production company is using a fancy camera lens and effect to make the Hôtel des Invalides behind her look massive. 2 - based on the bags Blair is holding she probably spent well over $20k shopping. And 3 - the bridge is totally empty, and unless you also go at sunrise you probably won't experience it like this.
BEEN to paris? stopped in at any of these locations? let us know in the comments!
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References:
Goldberger, Paul. “Architecture: The New Musee D'Orsay In Paris.” The New York Times, 2 April 1987.
Nadeau, Sophie. “Gossip Girl in Paris: Must Visit Filming Locations in France.” Solo Sophie, 19 July, 2016.
Haseldine, Katie. “Seven must-see Gossip Girl locations in Paris.” Female First, 4 April 2019.
“6 walks in Paris on the locations of shoots for TV series.” Paris Info.
Olsson, Carin., & Jenna Scherer. “11 Filming Locations in Paris You Can Actually Visit.” Condé Nast Traveler, 31 October, 2014.
“Dining In Paris…Gossip Girl Style.” Pastry with Jenn, 2015.