Someone once asked this writer whether Emily in Paris is actually any good. The honest reply? It’s not exactly binge-worthy, yet it’s impossible to ignore the series.
Love her or roll your eyes, but you can’t turn a blind eye to Emily Cooper(Lily Collins) from the popular Netflix show, which clocked 58 million households in its first month, right in its Season 1. Now that Emily in Paris Season 5 premieres, Cooper is back with her troupe. From her formidable boss Sylvie Grateau (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) at marketing agency Agence Grateau, sassy best friend Mindy Chen (Ashley Park), colleagues Julien (Samuel Arnol) and Luc (Bruno Gouery), along with a long trail of love interests, including Chef Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount), her on-and-off boyfriend and the newest beau Marcello Muratori (Eugenio Franceschini), the new season has a lot in store. What remains unchanged is a humorously dramatic plotline given Cooper’s track record of cultural naivete, bold fashion moments, messy love life and enviable marketing antics.
But beyond the storyline, the show’s European locations steal one’s heart. From the real headquarters of Italian luxury brand Fendi in Rome, to the oldest luxury hotels of Paris and the city’s famous cabarets, we give you a lowdown of the gorgeous places to visit from Emily in Paris for a European gateway.
Palais Garnier
The 19th-century opera house, Palais Garnier, is known for its grand staircase and gilded interiors. It appears in Season 1 when Cooper plans a ballet night in the royal location, which hits a snag and turns into a series of confrontations. The opera house returns in Season 2 as the dramatic backdrop for a Pierre Cadault fashion shoot with eye-catchingly ornate chandeliers, gold-decorated seating and a palatial space. Even without a show ticket, a guided tour of this architectural marvel is a study in classicism, making it a go-to place for art history lovers.
Villa del Priorato di Malta
Marcello dials up the romance with a visit to one of Rome’s most romantic corners, the Villa del Priorato di Malta. The place is famous for its keyhole view, a perfectly framed glimpse of St. Peter’s Basilica where Italy, Vatican City and Malta meet in a single line of sight. From here, you can admire a picture-perfect view of the Dome of St. Peter, lined by trees, which looks exciting in both day and night for postcard-perfect memories.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
There is no dearth of beautiful Parisian hotels to visit, and Emily in Paris proves that with Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Located on Avenue Montaigne, near the Champs-Élysées, an avenue known for theatres, quaint cafes and luxury stores, Hôtel Plaza Athénée appears several times in the show. From Cooper escorting actress Brooklyn Clark through the Haute Couture Suite in Season 1 to hosting Agence Grateau’s lavish holiday party in Season 4, the hotel rises up to the occasion every season. Its courtyard ice rink, the elegant lobby and Le Bar all add to its exquisite charm.
Hôtel du Louvre
Counted amongst the oldest luxury hotels in Paris, Hôtel du Louvre becomes the place where Cooper makes yet another eyebrow-raising marketing move using a hamburger-scented hand to charm a client’s dog. Absurd? Yes. Effective? Also yes. The five-star hotel offers exceptional views of city life and is situated near the Louvre Museum and Palais-Royal, making it perfect as Paris’ best hotels.
Zuma Rome
Sylvie’s Roman storyline continues over high-end dinners with clients in Season 5, and Japanese restaurant Zuma in Rome steals the show. Perched atop the Spanish Steps, the fine-dining offers a 360-degree view of Rome, (Izakaya style) cuisine, and a fine selection of cocktails, making it perfect for date nights.
Villa Parisi
To mark Agence Grateau’s Italian debut, Princess Jane throws an extravagant countryside party at the historic sea-view luxury Villa Parisi. Equal parts aristocratic elegance and influencer theatrics, the evening unfolds with Antoine Lambert’s showy dance moves and a not-so-subtle Peroni plug showing peak Cooper behaviour in social gatherings.
Coppedè District
For its Roman base, Agence Grateau finds a new address in the Coppedè District. The quiet and secluded neighbourhood designed by Florentine architect Gino Coppedè between 1915 and 1927, blends Art Nouveau whimsy with Gothic and Art Deco drama. Cooper’s new office in Rome stands for its cinematic flair, and wanderers would like to stroll and gaze at the charming villas on the streets of Coppedè.
Crazy Horse Paris
Mindy’s Paris comeback includes performances at the city’s legendary cabaret Crazy Horse. From bold costumes to pop anthems like Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again,” the venue becomes her new creative playground. Guests can either enjoy showgirl energy or take a semi-private backstage tour led by a professional dancer for a thrilling experience.
Fendi’s Rome headquarters
As Season 5 drops, Cooper is seen stepping into a new leadership role as she heads Agence Grateau’s Rome office. She sets her eyes on the global luxury brand Fendi. As a result, the series takes viewers inside the iconic brand’s Rome headquarters, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, which is one of the most striking landmarks. Known as the “Square Colosseum,” the 1940s building exemplifies Italian Rationalism and fascist architecture with a neoclassical design. Its design borrows from Rome’s iconic ancient amphitheatre, the Colosseum, with multiple rows of arches. In Emily in Paris, it serves as the ground for a pitch gone sideways after Cooper’s ill-timed designer slip-up.
Ostia Antica village
The fictional village of Solitano in Emily in Paris is brought to life through Ostia Antica, a quaint ancient Roman site on the outskirts. Imagine exploring its sleepy setting dotted with archaeological sites, silent cobbled streets, Renaissance period fortresses and towers making it a go-to destination for for those who enjoy history, culture, and architecture in a peaceful milieu.
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Savoir / Agence Grateau, Paris
Perhaps the most talked-about location in Emily in Paris, Cooper’s office, Savoir, later renamed as Agence Grateau in Paris, is a dreamy workplace to be at. This is also the place for most seasons where Sylvie, Cooper, Luc and Julien sit together for client meetings and let the ruckus of marketing campaigns unfold with some of the most bizarre ideas flung in the air! In reality, Agence Grateau is just minutes away from the world-famous Louvre museum, perched next to Galerie Patrick Fourtin, known for its collection of 20th-century furniture. After Emily in Paris, the location has become a classic shooting place.
