Eiffel, a historical and romantic biopic directed by Martin Bourboulon, airs on W9 on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 9:10 p.m. Released in theaters in 2021, the film stars Romain Duris as Gustave Eiffel, alongside Emma Mackey and Pierre Deladonchamps.
Eiffel
Film | 2021
Theatrical release: October 13, 2021
Airing on W9 : Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Biopic, comedy-drama | Runtime: 1h49
Directed by Martin Bourboulon | Screenplay by Caroline Bongrand
Starring Romain Duris, Emma Mackey, Pierre Deladonchamps
Nationality: France
The film opens with Gustave Eiffel freshly finished with his work on the Statue of Liberty. The French government seeks to enlist him for a spectacular project for the 1889 World's Fair, but the engineer is initially drawn to a subway venture. His reunion with Adrienne Bourgès, a youthful romance that can no longer be, gradually fuels the movie’s romantic thread as it centers on the rise of the Eiffel Tower.
Eiffel blends historical fact, romance, and period reconstruction to offer an intimate portrait of a project that became Paris’s symbol. The film rests on a screenplay by Caroline Bongrand, revised over the years with several writers, including Thomas Bidegain, Tatiana de Rosnay, and Natalie Carter. Martin Bourboulon aims to strike a balance between a tender, emotional narrative and an adventure-driven saga centered on an iconic monument.
Trailer for Eiffel
The project endured a lengthy development, dating back to a first version penned in the late 1990s by Caroline Bongrand and revived in the 2010s. To depict Paris and the stages of the tower’s construction, the production mounted a substantial effort in set design and visual effects, with Stéphane Taillasson in charge of the sets and Olivier Cauwet handling the digital effects.
Romain Duris embodies a Gustave Eiffel caught between public ambition and intimate fragility, while Emma Mackey lends her features to Adrienne Bourgès. The film was nominated at the 2022 César Awards in the categories of Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Visual Effects, underscoring the reconstruction work led by the artistic team.
Eiffel speaks to audiences drawn to historical biopics, period romances, and films devoted to French heritage. The story repositions the Tower Eiffel in a romantic frame, imagining what might have driven the decision to build a monument destined to transform Paris’s skyline.
To go further, also check out our picks of films, series and TV shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to releases across all platforms, and today’s selection: What to watch today on streaming.
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