Eat chocolate crepes, sip world-class champagne, ride through a restored French castle in the snow, and if the stars align, have a romantic French man fall in love with you.
Unrealistic? Yes. But one can dream, thanks to my Christmas day activity of Netflix and chill. You see, I’ve been to Paris twice in my life and have watched countless movies set there, but nothing quite like this one. Maybe I’m just overdue for a holiday, but it felt even more beautiful because of the Christmas vibe. The storyline is cliché where two people fall in love quickly in a romantic city. In short, the movie follows a mergers and acquisitions executive who travels to France to broker a champagne brand sale. On her first night in Paris, she meets a dashing man who happens to be the heir to the Château Cassell champagne brand. Typical? Hmmmm. I don’t remember anything like that happening on my Euro trip. Mon dieu! But her journey across France becomes the start of it all.
So, let me take you through some of my favourite places from the movie — the ones that made me fall in love with Paris all over again, and added a new dreamy destination to my list, Épernay. Save this guide to your “France, here I come!” holiday list.
Hotel Regina
As beautiful as I’ve always pictured every Paris hotel to be. Hotel Regina is a luxury hotel built in 1900, beautifully restored to its 19th-century splendour. Located just opposite the Louvre Museum. The view? The tranquil Tuileries Garden, the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, the Trocadéro, the Invalides and the Orsay Museum. And it’s run by the fourth generation of the same Parisian family. I love a beautiful generational story. It makes the business blend beautifully with their personal history. Just like a true Parisian legacy!
The Iconic Les Étolies Bookstore
Spoiler alert! It’s not an actual store. But let’s pretend it is, shall we? Imagine walking through the beautiful streets of Paris, passing by La Fayette’s magical Christmas window display, and finding a delicate wooden door that holds so many magical moments inside. As you step inside, it feels like a world of its own. It’s not your typical bookstore with many shelves. You walk up the stairs where cute notes surround you, left and right, with just enough of the glass roof to peek at Paris’s beautiful clouds. There are indoor glass windows dividing rooms, stone walls, wooden beams, another set of stairs, and suddenly you’re listening to acoustic French music—Dream a Little Dream of Me, but in French. So beautiful! I wish I could discover places like this in real life. But in case you’re wondering, the scene is located in Usine Deguerry, previously known as Cartonnerie, an event venue in Paris’s 11th arrondissement.
Quai Jacques Chirac
What’s a Christmas holiday without a visit to magical Christmas markets, right? In the movie, it took place at Quai Jacques Chirac, along the Seine River. True, France is the city of love and food—and what’s a first date with a French man without tasting French delicacies? They had chocolate crêpe, macarons and… hot wine? Well, that’s a first for me.
Then the movie continued with a Paris Ferris wheel ride at the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market, also known as La Magie de Noël, the biggest and most popular Christmas market in Paris. The goal was to get the most perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. And it succeeded. Guess now we have options to see the Eiffel Tower without even visiting it directly.
Pont des Arts
The night walk scene of their first meeting on the bridge took place at the Pont des Arts. It was the first metal bridge in Paris, built between 1802 and 1804, famous for love locks, but they were removed in 2015 to protect the structure. Not sure what happened to the locks, including mine, from when I visited with my cousins on our first Euro trip together. That was a beautiful memory.
Rue de l’Abreuvoir
This scene is where the actress was running late for a meeting at Château Cassell, which took place at Résidence Eisenhower, a beautifully restored mansion in the city of Reims. And yes, General Dwight D. Eisenhower once stayed there during the liberation of the city in 1945. History and romance? Très magnifique!
This location may feel familiar, and she might as well bump into Emily Cooper from Emily in Paris, considering how the world is raving about that series right now. A quaint street, a beautiful backdrop, and the kind of place perfect for a “fit check” and “a day in Paris” content. I know I would.
Épernay
My ultimate favourite. It is everything I dream of for the perfect Christmas vacation. Before I tap into the castle, what made me fall in love with it is how the scene takes you on a journey—from Paris to Épernay on a beautiful train ride, snowy landscapes, and the dramatic gates opening like a fairytale entrance. Inside, the living room has a delicate French interior and a fireplace which felt so cosy. It was more beautiful at night when you get to experience the night with horse rides to the centre of the town.
Known as the capital of Champagne, the Château Cassell in the movie is actually Château Comtesse Lafond, a historic Champagne estate. Avenue de Champagne is lined with Moët & Chandon and Pol Roger. Named after Countess Lafond, who helped build the family’s legacy. The property is real. So, you can visit, experience wine tasting, and host private events and weddings. J’adore.
The Festival of Lights
Better known as Habits de Lumière, this is the biggest festival in France featuring dazzling light shows and lively street performances. They have floating animals, costumes, and everything magical at the Château Perrier courtyard. So fun! In case you want to visit, the festival is held every December in Épernay. Consider your December 2026 holiday planning, sorted.
Why This Movie Feels Like a Warm Reminder
In the 20th century, it feels like everyone is working. But this movie reminds you to find purpose. To slow down. To do good. It’s a reminder of the bridge between work and life balance. Obviously, the destinations are the ultimate France travel list, but the sweet message underneath is beautifully done. A mixture of love, self, trust and work. So… pinky promise you won’t stop living? Living means taking breaks when necessary, focusing on mental health, being around people who value your worth and travelling to places that challenge and elevate your soul.
“And the most difficult roads lead to the most beautiful destinations.”
It hits different in French… but still, c’est la vie.
More beautiful explorations in France:
