Yesterday I accidentally stumbled deep into the Paris of the 1940’s!
Walking down the hill after my Montmartre tour I found that a movie crew has completely redecorated an area to film a French feature called “Adieu M. Haffmann”, to be released early next year. It will star French actor Daniel Auteuil (one of my favorites) and the story will take place in WWII Paris.
For the filming, each modern storefront has been meticulously covered with its own faux Nazi Occupation-era facade. To complete the illusion they’ve added worn signage, old cars & bicycles, references to corsets, medicinal elixirs — even French propaganda posters urging locals to work in the German factories. It’s remarkable how well this is done; the artistry of it was quite inspiring.
The filming will last a few weeks, so between now and the end of March 2020 if you can make it to the intersection of Rue Berthe and Rue Androuet (see map), you’ll catch a glimpse of this transporting space.
*Pro tip: arrive around 1pm when the cast & crew leave for lunch – you’ll be able to walk freely through the set!
-FF
P.S. My livestream video tours of Paris will now be broadcast to Youtube instead of Facebook. To be notified of new videos and/or to join me live on Saturdays, be sure to subscribe to my channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfrkg0WfgjM_rh9YOoXfuhw
afrenchfryeinparis.com 
Many thanks! I have subscribed to your YouTube channel. Randy roaringkelly.com
Thanks I appreciate that! If all goes to plan I should be doing a video tour this Saturday.
Corey it’s so great to see you on the blog! I’ve always loved reading your content here and your pictures are amazing! This looks really cool! I wish I could see it in person. Merci for sharing this. I look forward to the movie!
Thanks Phyllis! I can’t let all these photos go to waste, ya know? 😊 When you watch this movie if you see a tour guide hiding in the background you’ll know who it is! 😉
Thank you for this stunning slide show and the info. I love Daniel Auteuil too and shall look forward to watching this film.
All the best to you.
Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for this post! I knew there was filming there, but I didn’t know that Daniel Auteuil was the star! I’m a big fan of his! I was thrilled to get to see him perform in the Malade Imaginaire on stage in the fall of 2018. It was one of those once in a lifetime experiences!
Yeah he’s great, and a bit close to my heart because his movies were part of what I used to help myself learn French when I moved here. Thanks for the comment Cheryl!
Great photos Corey. The details are amazing. If last weekend was any indication of how great your YouTube livestream is going to be, I’m all in. Looking forward to it.
Yes if all goes well with Youtube I think it’ll allow me to share this city in higher quality than before. Thanks for supporting the cause!
Thank you for posting. I wondered how this was done to look so realistic! I will head over and subscribe on Youtube
I appreciate that! And I look forward to sharing Paris with you over there.
Wow that is so awesome, finding a vintage movie set in Paris would be incredible to come across. Great pictures!! Thanks for always being on the search for us.
Yesterday I was just thinking that I have not received your blog in a long time. It was a treat. Merci.
Thanks a lot!
Loved the tour we went on last year. Hope to be back to enjoy another soon!
Thank you Carolyn! I appreciate the comment.
Cool! Thanks for sharing this, Corey. I love this area of Montmartre.
Very Cool!! Thanks for sharing Corey.
Enjoy your blog – but 1940s (not 1940’s)
Hi Corey,
I love what you have done here and yes, I will go over and sign on to youtube channel. This street looks like it would be a lovely street to visit even if a movie wasn’t being filmed. The love those roads that wind around. I’m sorry to say we have no idea when we will get to Paris again or anywhere for that matter. I’m not counting Christmas out yet but there will be a lot of repair work and financial stability before that happens. Until then, we have you, thank goodness, to help keep our dreams alive. Stay safe and healthy Corey…until we meet again.
Beautiful pictures. Paris is famous for it’s café culture and I must admit sitting at a sidewalk café people watching is one of my favorite pastimes. How do you think it will change after this pandemic scare ? I hope Things will eventually return to normal and this important Parisian pastime will continue.thanks-Sylvie
Lovely to stumble upon your blog – thank you for sharing your photography – it’s really interesting to catch a glimpse behind the scenes in Paris.
Hello! Christine here from USA. Love your clever blog name (just discovered) and your presentations. We travel extensively (112 countries visited in 25+ years), including many trips to France … can’t wait to visit again (after Covid). Your celebratory Champagne is well deserved!! Bravo to your mother, whose gift changed your life + your wife, for her persistence and flexibility!
I am a big believer in giving children travel, instead of toys. From age 7 to 15, I took my children to explore a different country. Nothing like being in Paris at Easter! You are so close to so many great cities, you can take your daughters to learn about great art, food, culture, languages! You ought to submit your story to Woody A. or myriad of RomCom producers. This heartwarming story, would make a terrific film and reward you well $$$€€€.
Questions:
1. What happened to your music/nice voice? Still writing songs? My husband is born, raised and NYU grad. Where did you grow up?
2. The row houses you featured (in the 13th A), any idea of price range? If you buy, do you get French residency?
3. We were contemplating to rent a house for a month (a Jeet?). Unfortunately, the Virus caused us all to cancel and quarantine. Is there a company, which locals use, as rental agent for family summer vacance? We were thinking about Toulouse or even outside Paris.
Thank you. Wishing you much success.
Hi Christine, thanks so much for those kinds words! I don’t make music anymore and my singing is reserved for when I’m trying to get my girls to sleep. 😊 It’s fine because it was a passion of mine for a decade and I’ve since moved my artsy/creative side into other fulfilling projects. I grew up in Maine, went to college at Rhode Island School of Design, then moved to Brooklyn in 2000. Loved NYC and have many fond memories of it. Those houses you mentioned in the 13th arr. probably go for 8k-9k euros per square meter, so ballpark maybe 750k euros? Buying property here doesn’t make you a legal resident as far as I know; you’d have to get employed here or prove that you can sustain yourself financially without work. For example I know an American couple who are allowed to stay simply because they periodically show the government they have enough savings to live here without working. Hope that helps and I look forward to sharing more Paris with you.