Love it or loathe it, you can’t argue Emily and her Parisian adventures make for a binge-worthy Netflix series.
It’s difficult to look away from the romanticised life of the American marketer who got lucky landing a gig in a very chic French agency.
The series, now on its fourth instalment, follows Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins) and her attempts at navigating friendship, work, breaking down the cultural barrier and jumping in and out of love triangles.
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While I’m not here in Paris for most of the above, I did wonder what it’s like to be Emily in the supposed city of love with an abundance of gorgeous men and pastries.
And to get into the mindset of Emily, I thought the best way to do that was visit the real-life filming locations from the hit Netflix series.
(Image: Stephanie Branchu/Netflix)
So without further ado, let’s follow Layla in Paris for a sneak peak into the life of the fictional Emily…
Emily’s apartment
Let’s start off with where we first saw Emily in France during the very first episode of the show. Viewers watch an estate agent show her around the gorgeous studio flat that she ultimately ends up sharing with pal Mindy (played by Ashley Park).
(Image: Netflix)
The estate agent even attempts to chat Emily up here but, of course, she’s too busy with her own priorities – that is snapping an Instagram-worthy selfie her hanging by the window.
So where is it exactly? Well, Emily’s apartment is located at 1 Place de l’Estrapade smack bang in the middle of the 5th arrondissement(district) of Paris, this is also known as the Latin Quarter.
Though, the inside of her apartment is just a TV set (sorry to disappoint).
You can still visit the outside and it’s not difficult to miss as the huge wooden doors are an obvious giveaway amongst the restaurants and bars.
Oh, and if you struggle to find it then just look for the bunch of tourists posing outside the apartment complex to get a taste of being Emily.
I couldn’t bring myself to pose outside someone’s actual house but I did loiter by the fountain opposite to snap a quick picture for this story.
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
We all know Emily is lucky enough to have hunky neighbour, Gabriel (played by Lucas Bravo), living one floor down from her.
Have you ever wondered why such a busy and angsty chef looks so incredibly handsome after all those hours spent in the kitchen.
Well, it’s probably because he’s only got about a 10 second commute…
Gabriel’s restaurant
That’s right Gabriel’s restaurant is just a couple of seconds walk from the apartment featured in the series. He might as well work from home it’s that close!
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
However, the eatery that finally earnt Gabriel his long-awaited Michelin Star *spoiler alert* looks a bit different in real life.
That’s because the classic Parisian cuisine of fictional L’Espirit de Gigi, isn’t actually French and has an entirely different name.
In real life, Gabriel’s one true love (not Emily) is called Terra Nera and is an Italian restaurant – not French.
I wonder what the character would have to say about that? But, I suspect not good things considering an Italian is causing a bit of trouble for him in the latest series…
In true tourist and influencer fashion, I watched on as people posed on the al fresco chairs outside the red restaurant front. They didn’t seem bothered about experiencing ‘Gabriel’s’ restaurant and just sat for the perfect picture while punters focused on their food inside.
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
Emily’s favourite bakery
(Image: Netflix)
It doesn’t look like Emily will have to go far after having a flirting session with Gabriel over a glass of wine. She’s got the apartment on one side and her favourite bakery on the other.
Take your mind back to season one where the character did what all newbie’s to France consider a rite of passage, and that is going to get a pastry from a boulangerie – or bakery.
The bakery that just so happens to feature in the episode – where Emily struggles with her lack of French – is right next door to the restaurant in real life.
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
I obviously had to go inside Boulangerie Moderne and get a taste of some of the goods apparently loved by Paris’ fictional ‘it’ girl.
Although there’s really nothing inside that offers a nod to the show, they’ve certainly capitalised on with their paper carrier bags. The dotted line before ‘In Paris’ printed on each side of the bag allows you to write your own name on the carrier.
Looks like some clever marketing even Emily would approve of! So, what do the pastries taste like? Well, I wasn’t exactly blown away by the croissant, bread or almond cream pastry.
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
They were edible and filled a baked-goods sized hole in my belly – but I’ve certainly had better. But like Emily, who cares? It looks good enough for the Instagram grid, so it will do the job!
La Boulangerie Moderne is located at 16 rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques, right by the apartment and restaurant.
Emily and Mindy’s ‘Instagram’ restaurant spot
For the next filming location, I had to go a bit further afield and make my way to the other side of Paris. And it wasn’t even worth it.
While the best pals and housemates are pretty much inseparable and love to go out for a drink and food, there’s one particular location that caught the eye of fans.
Already being a huge influencer spot before the show, restaurant La Maison Rose became one of the most identifiable filming locations for Emily in Paris.
(Image: Netflix)
It might not have a huge amount of importance to the show, but it’s certainly of the prettier and ‘Instagram-worthy’ destinations on the list.
La Maison Rose is a restaurant you literally cannot miss thanks to the pink and green exterior. It sits perfectly on the corner within the Montmartre district – famed for the Moulin Rouge and Sacre Coeur.
And it makes for the perfect spot to get that aesthetic Instagram picture all while ticking off another Emily In Paris location.
However, it appears the owners have stopped people from sitting directly outside the restaurant and instead have to sit on the path opposite.
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
That’s probably because of the incessant photoshoot of influencers, tourists and Emily In Paris fans attempting to get a cute photo next to the pink wall. Admittedly, I became part of the problem and only stayed for a snap as the restaurant was rammed.
La Maison Rose is located in 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Montmatre.
Emily and Marcello’s sunrise spot
Just around the corner is one of the spectacles of Paris, Sacre Coeur – or now known as Emily’s and new beau Marcello’s romantic sunrise spot.
In the latest season, Emily spends a night and morning galivanting around Paris showing her Italian stallion (played by Eugenio Franceschini) some of her favourite, albeit touristy, spots.
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
The iconic basilica serves as the backdrop as a romantic ‘will they, won’t they’ exchange for the potential lovers. It offers quite the extraordinary view of Paris – but you’ve got to climb what feels like a never ending amount of steps to get there.
Nothing says romance like being out of breathe, right? Well, nothing says romance like being swarmed by a continual feed of tourists either.
Yes, the basilica is quite the looker but its beauty and romance portrayed in the show is taken away by the scam artists and tourists that flock around it.
(Image: Layla Nicholson)
Emily and Marcello might have found love in the ’empty’ spot, but it’s certainly not like that in real life.
Sacre Coeur does offer some gorgeous views, that is if you can overlook the sea of tourists. Instead of consulting Emily, let Layla In Paris give you some advice.
Either go really early in the day or simply avoid at all costs!
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
