Nice is a real filming set for a large number of cult films that you surely know. We have therefore concocted a Top 10 of works that were shot in the Metropolis and its surroundings.
10. Mascarade – 2022 (853,147 admissions)
- Director: Nicolas Bedos
Temptation, fraud, and zany maneuvers… This is the story of the very first film on this list. A young gigolo (Pierre Niney) falls for a con artist (Isabelle Adjani). Both dream of a luxurious life and find a way to achieve it with the perfect plan, involving manipulation and deception… You can spot numerous scenes that feature Nice. Pierre Niney buys flowers at the Cours Saleya market. The Quai des États-Unis, or even scenes on Castle Hill, also serve as important filming locations.
9. Ronin – 1998 (983,024 admissions)
- Director: John Frankenheimer
This action film stars Robert De Niro and Jean Reno, who follow a group of soldiers and mercenaries, or “ronins.” They are recruited for a secret and dangerous mission to steal a mysterious briefcase whose contents are highly coveted. “Ronin” was filmed in several European cities, notably in Nice. The old streets of the historic district served as the setting for the film’s initial car chase scenes.
8. La promesse de l’aube – 2017 (1,053,288 admissions)
- Director: Eric Barbier
“La Promesse de l’aube” tells the fascinating and moving story of the relationship between Romain Gary and his mother. The film follows their journey from their escape from Poland during the rise of Nazism. The main actors are Pierre Niney, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Didier Bourdon, whom you probably know from “Les Inconnus.” As a filming location, the Buffa merchant city in Nice was used to set up a period market… and it’s well-executed!
7. Un sac de billes -1975 (1,286,827 admissions)
- Director: Jacques Doillon
The film “Un sac de billes” is a cinematic adaptation of Joseph Joffo’s autobiographical novel. The story takes place in France during World War II. The viewer follows the adventures of two young Jewish brothers, Maurice and Joseph, as they embark on a journey across France to reach the free zone and escape from the Nazis and the Gestapo. Starring Paul-Éric Shulmann and Richard Constantini as the protagonists, the scenes shot in Nice mainly depict moments of happiness and joy, filmed on the city’s beaches.
6. Magic in the Moonlight – 2014 (1.3 million admissions)
- Director: Woody Allen
The story of “Magic in the Moonlight” takes place in the 1920s in France and follows the story of Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), a British illusionist. The protagonist is known for exposing fake mediums and charlatans claiming to possess paranormal powers. One day, Stanley is contacted by his friend Howard Burkan (Simon McBurney), who is convinced that a young American medium named Sophie Baker (Emma Stone) truly has supernatural powers. Howard Burkan implores Stanley to visit the French Riviera to investigate Sophie. Many of these scenes were filmed at the Opéra de Nice.
5. Nicky Larson et le Parfum de Cupidon – 2019 (1.6 million admissions)
- Director: Philippe Lacheau
“Nicky Larson et le Parfum de Cupidon” is a French comedy directed by Philippe Lacheau, who also stars as the protagonist. The story is based on the manga “City Hunter.” Nicky Larson is a private detective specializing in matters of the heart. With the help of his partner, Laura (Élodie Fontan), he often handles delicate and sensitive cases. Nice Airport, the port of Nice, as well as Villefranche-sur-Mer and Eze, were important filming locations for this feature film.
4. James Bond: Never Say Never Again -1983 (2.9 million admissions)
- Director: Irvin Kershner
In “Never Say Never Again,” James Bond, portrayed by Sean Connery, is called back into action when the criminal organization “SPECTRE” threatens to destroy an American city with nuclear weapons. James Bond is tasked with retrieving the two stolen nuclear warheads before it’s too late. Interestingly, all the filming was done on the French Riviera and Monaco. In Nice, you can see on screen: Nice Airport, the Baie des Anges, and the Fort du Mont-Alban for a stunning panoramic view.
3. Brice de Nice 3 – 2016 (4 million admissions)
- Director: James Huth
You all know the film Brice de Nice! The pretentious and lazy surfer (Jean Dujardin) originally from Nice spends his days surfing the waves, flirting with girls, and considering himself the best surfer in the world. Indeed, he lives in his own reality, wearing printed t-shirts. During the filming in Nice, the Metropolis had made available the entire Bains Militaires beach, which was closed for the duration of the scenes being filmed.
2. Les compères -1983 (4.8 million admissions)
- Director: Francis Veber
In the Top 2, a French comedy centered around the story of two men whose destiny humorously brings them together. François (played by Pierre Richard) and Jean Lucas (Gérard Depardieu) have their lives turned upside down when they learn that one of them is the father of a young girl who has been missing for several years. The duo is then swept into a series of whimsical situations. Some scenes were filmed at the Negresco Hotel on the Promenade des Anglais, as well as the Riviera Hotel.
1. Le gendarme de Saint-Tropez – 1964 (7.8 million admissions)
- Director: Jean Girault
And finally… the iconic comedy follows the adventures of the gendarme Ludovic Cruchot, played by Louis de Funès, who is newly transferred to Saint-Tropez. Ludovic Cruchot, an active but somewhat rigid man, is determined to maintain order and discipline in the peaceful coastal town. However, his task quickly becomes complicated as he faces the antics and pranks of tourists and residents of Saint-Tropez. Between reckless drivers, nudists, art thieves, and unexpected comedic situations, the main character and his team must juggle increasingly hilarious situations. The sets of the Studios de la Victorine in Nice were used for the filming of this fabulous comedy.
