François Truffaut was a film director, screenwriter, producer and actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in French cinema. He was also a founder of the French New Wave, and many of his classic films are situated in the area in which he was raised, Montmartre.

Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)

Known in English as the 400 Blows, it is one of cinema’s most celebrated works. Truffaut’s most successful film, it is also the most prominent use of Montmartre in cinema. The semi-autobiogrpahical film, follows the misfortunes of young Antoine Doinel, who, like Truffaut, is raised in the Montmartre area.

Running foul of his parents and teachers, Antoine eventually escapes from his antagonists, not before doing an entire tour of Montmartre. Of the many scenes filmed in the area; those filmed in Pigalle, Place de Clichy, next to the Sacré-Cœur are the most prominent. The home that Antoine and his mother lived in, also took place in Montmartre, inside an apartment on 82 rue Marcadet.

Baisers volés (1968)

Baisers volés (Stolen Kisses), continues the story of Antoine Doinel, this time in a romantic comedy. Discharged from the army, Antoine returns home to seek out his sweetheart. The film takes place all across Montmartre, prominently at Boulevard de Rochechouart, Avenue Junot, Rue des Martyrs and right in front of the Sacré-Cœur. Antoine even goes to visit his mothers grave in the famous Montmartre cemetery, where Truffaut himself was buried after his untimely death in 1984.

Le Dernier Métro (1980)

Many view Le Dernier Métro (The Last Metro) as the happiest film of Traffaut’s later career; it was also one of his most personal. Drawing on his memories of life as a child under Nazi occupation; the film is based around a small theatre in Montmartre attempting to maintain its integrity amid the discrimination. The theatre in question is the Théâtre Montmartre, today still operating as the Théâtre de l’Atelier.

The film embraces the the passive resistance of the people Montmartre, who shun censorship and anti-semitism to subvert the Nazis. It would go on to win 10 Cesar awards and received Academy and Golden Globe award nominations.

All of these from locations are merely minutes away from our hostel. Book with us now and discover Montmartre on your doorstep!