There’s nothing quite like the magic of Paris, the charm of Parisian cafés, or the poetic rhythm of the French language. This summer, TV5Monde USA and TV5MONDEplus invite you to explore a trove of French movies and films set in France, all presented in French with English subtitles. From the whimsical streets of Amélie’s Montmartre to the gritty suburbs of La Haine, our collection of the best French movies will transport you straight to the heart of France.

Whether you’re dreaming of sipping café au lait near the Eiffel Tower, strolling along the Seine, or absorbing the colorful culture of Paris, our on-demand library has something for every cinephile and Francophile. This guide highlights both what’s currently streaming on TV5MONDEplus and a selection of iconic French films you won’t want to miss—plus tips for catching them live on TV5Monde USA.

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Why Watch French Movies Set in France?

French cinema holds a unique place in world film history. With a tradition of innovation, artistry, and authenticity, French films capture the spirit of Paris, the beauty of the French countryside, and the complexity of modern France. Watching movies set in France helps you:

• Immerse Yourself in Language: Hearing French language spoken by native actors is the best way to sharpen your listening and pronunciation.
• Discover Authentic Culture: From Parisian street scenes to sunlit Provençal villages, movies set in France reveal local customs, cuisine, and fashion.
• Learn Idiomatic Expressions: Films like Amélie and Intouchables showcase everyday French idioms and slang.
• Feel the Atmosphere: The sights, sounds, and emotions of Paris come alive on screen, making you feel as though you’re walking its cobblestone streets.

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Currently Streaming on TV5MONDEplus

Below is a selection of films set in Paris or elsewhere in France that are confirmed to be streaming on TV5MONDEplus as of June–July 2025. Click to watch each one in French with English subtitles.

Dans Paris (France, 2006)

Genre: Drama
Synopsis: After a painful breakup, Paul retreats to his father’s flat in Paris, sinking into depression. His brother Victor tries to cheer him up in a heartfelt ode to familial bonds against the backdrop of the City of Light.

• Why Watch: Absorb intimate conversations in Parisian apartments and cafés—perfect for hearing everyday French speech.
• Link to Stream: https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/en/cinema/drame/dans-paris

Violette Nozière (France, 1978)

Genre: Biographical Drama
Synopsis: Set in Paris 1933, 18-year-old Violette navigates a repressive household and a society on the brink of change. Her descent into scandal and murder offers a dark window into pre-war Paris.

• Why Watch: Learn period-specific French vocabulary, hear formal and upper-class Parisian accents, and experience a slice of historical French film.
• Link to Stream: https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/en/cinema/drame/violette-noziere

Les Mystères de Paris (France, 1962)

Genre: Literature Adaptation / Drama
Synopsis: Based on Eugène Sue’s classic novel, this film follows Rodolphe de Gerolstein as he uncovers crimes and conspiracies beneath the gilded façade of Paris.

• Why Watch: Discover 19th-century Parisian settings, old-fashioned French speech, and Gothic atmospheres.
• Link to Stream: https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/en/langue-francaise/litterature/les-mysteres-de-paris

Paris est Toujours Paris (France, 1951)

Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: A group of Italian football fans visit Paris for a big match and have 24 hours to explore the city. Their misadventures become a humorous tour of Paris landmarks.

• Why Watch: Enjoy early-1950s Paris on film, brush up on basic French phrases, and appreciate the cultural clash through comedic scenes.
• Link to Stream: https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/en/cinema/comedie/paris-est-toujours-paris

Paris, l’éternel (France, 2024)

Genre: Travel Documentary – Voyage et Évasion
Synopsis: From the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame, this beautifully shot episode guides you through Paris’s most emblematic monuments and the vibrant life of its boulevards. Experience the City of Light—from sunrise over the Seine to twilight in Montmartre—through the eyes of a local guide.

• Why Watch: Perfect for learning authentic Parisian French: pick up architectural vocabulary (“la tour Eiffel,” “la cathédrale Notre-Dame”), directional phrases (“tourner à gauche,” “le long du quai”), and everyday expressions used by Parisians.

• Link to Stream: https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/fr/decouverte/voyage-et-evasion/paris

How to Stream These French Films

TV5 Monde USA
Subscribe now to access live French-language broadcasts of our curated French films and themed retrospectives—right in your living room.
👉 Receive TV5 Monde USA: https://usa.tv5monde.com/en/receive-tv5monde-usa

TV5MONDEplus On-Demand
Watch anytime, anywhere in the U.S. Stream all our on-demand French movies and documentaries—with English subtitles for easy comprehension.
👉 Visit TV5MONDEplus: https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/en

Pro Tip: Use the search bar on TV5MONDEplus with keywords like “Paris,” “France,” or specific film titles to find and bookmark your favorites for quick access.

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Essential Parisian Films to Feel Like You’re in Paris

• Amélie – Immerse yourself in Montmartre’s magical cafés and narrow streets, narrated with charming French whimsy.
• Midnight in Paris – Travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties, with shimmering lights along the Seine and famous literary salons.
• La Haine – Experience raw Parisian suburban life and the tension of youth in real, gritty dialogue.
• Intouchables – Feel the upscale elegance and street-level vitality of Paris’ diverse communities.
• An American in Paris – Soak in Technicolor panoramas of the Eiffel Tower, Seine bridges, and lux boutiques.

Each of these films uses Paris as more than a backdrop—they make the city itself a character. The Eiffel Tower’s silhouette, Montmartre’s bohemian vibe, and the nighttime glow of the Champs-Élysées will all come alive on your screen, making you feel as though you’re wandering the streets yourself.

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Why Is French Cinema So Good?

French cinema excels because it prioritizes art over spectacle, character depth over CGI, and social themes over formulaic plots. Directors like Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, and Agnès Varda pioneered the New Wave, challenging cinematic conventions and showcasing real-life poets, philosophers, and everyday French people.

Today, French films continue that legacy:

• Authentic Storytelling: From small-budget dramas like Les Mystères de Paris to visually inventive works like Amélie, the emphasis is on truth and nuance.
• Strong Auteur Tradition: Filmmakers wear their hearts on their sleeves—stars like Juliette Binoche have delivered powerhouses such as Chocolat and Three Colors: Blue.
• Cultural Relevance: Whether set in Paris’ 7th arrondissement or a remote countryside château, French films reflect the heartbeat of France—its politics, cuisine, love, and language.
• Award-Winning Talent: Icons like Juliette Binoche, Marion Cotillard, and Vincent Cassel keep pushing boundaries. Their performances define the phrase “je t’aime” on screen.

When you watch French films set in Paris or any corner of France, you’re not simply watching a movie—you’re experiencing a piece of cultural artistry that has influenced filmmakers worldwide.

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Why Is Paris a Great Place for Cinema Lovers?

Paris is the birthplace of cinema—credit goes to the Lumière brothers. To this day, Parisian cinephiles flock to historic theaters like Le Champo, Le Grand Rex, and Cinéma du Panthéon. Each arrondissement houses unique film festivals, from Cannes in May to Paris Cinéma in July.

• Iconic Venues: Cinémathèque Française preserves film history, while open-air summer screenings along the Seine transform long evenings into a festival.
• Festivals & Retrospectives: From Cannes coverage in May to Paris Cinéma in July, you can experience curated retrospectives of classic and contemporary French films.
• Cultural Hubs: Neighborhoods like Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Montparnasse buzz with sidewalk cafés where filmmakers, critics, and students debate cinema.

For anyone seeking to deepen their love of film, Paris offers a cinematic playground—where culture, language, and artistry converge. Watching Parisian movies not only entertains but connects you to a community of storytellers and dreamers.

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What Is the Movie About the Paris Dress?

One of the most visually captivating French films about fashion is Dior and I (2014), which chronicles Raf Simons’s first haute couture collection at Christian Dior. While not strictly a narrative film, it gives you a front-row seat to the design process within Paris’s haute couture world. Another fictional take is Funny Face (1957), where Audrey Hepburn plays a bookstore clerk whisked off to Paris as a fashion model in an iconic Givenchy dress.

Ready to Explore French Films Set in France?

This June and July, immerse yourself in Parisian magic from your sofa. With TV5Monde USA and TV5MONDEplus, roam Montmartre’s winding alleys, experience gritty Parisian suburbs, and attend haute couture showrooms—all through French films and French movies with English subtitles.

Subscribe Now to TV5Monde USA for live broadcasts of the best French movies and rugby, news, culture, and more.
Receive TV5Monde USA 👉 https://usa.tv5monde.com/en/receive-tv5monde-usa
Stream Anytime on TV5MONDEplus 👉 https://www.tv5mondeplus.com

Let iconic French films guide your journey to mastering the French language and experiencing the soul of France on screen. Bonne séance et vive le cinéma français !

© Photo by Lukáš Konvica on Unsplash