In Saint-Denis, in the La Plaine district, the Montjoie Studios are experiencing a renaissance after years of neglect. Purchased in 2019 by Plaine Commune Développement and subsequently revitalized by Volt Tournage and Picseyes, these legendary studios—famous for producing beloved shows from AB Productions like Hélène et les Garçons and Le Merveille de l'amour—now host some of the biggest French and international productions. Since 2020, over a hundred films and series have been filmed here, including Scènes de ménages, *Emily in Paris, and the biopic Monsieur Aznavour*.
Once a thriving industrial site, these studios turned into a derelict space after AB Productions left in the late 1990s. For years, they teetered on the brink of complete disappearance. It wasn't until the COVID crisis that plans shifted. While Plaine Commune Développement had been considering transforming the 3.5-hectare site into a new residential neighborhood, Rémi Préchac and Xavier Flèche saw an opportunity to revive this piece of cultural industry history. The decision to host Apple TV's series Franklin on the site in 2022—and keep filming there for 14 months—confirmed both the location’s untapped potential and the wisdom of this artistic revival.
Today, the studio boasts eight independent filming sets ranging from 100 to 1,300 square meters, along with fully equipped in-house construction workshops for creating sets—covering carpentry, painting, welding, and molding. State-of-the-art virtual production technology, including LED walls and synchronized multirobots, rounds out the facilities. Since 2020, the site has hosted between 1,200 and 1,500 shoots, attracting industry giants like Netflix, Pathé, Disney+, and Amazon. The studio also launched a material and costume reuse center to promote sustainability and eco-friendly production practices, reinforcing its commitment to environmental responsibility.
The future looks even brighter for film studios in Seine-Saint-Denis. Thanks to the France 2030 plan and the call for projects "The Great Factory of Image," the Studios of Montjoie are set to nearly double in size, expanding from 4,300 to 8,750 square meters. The project includes the construction of six new sound stages, one of which will be an XXL stage covering 1,350 m² with a 14-meter-high ceiling, tailored for large-scale productions requiring tall set designs and complex technical setups. This expansion responds to the rising demand in the audiovisual industry for infrastructure capable of supporting blockbuster films and major productions.
Another major innovation: opening up to the city. Until now off-limits to the public, the complex is set to introduce a new visitor center. This space will host guided tours behind the scenes, exhibitions on the history of French cinema, cultural events, and industry-focused meet-and-greets. It’s a move to reconnect this legendary site with the residents of Saint-Denis and cinema enthusiasts alike. The full plan is expected to be unveiled in spring 2026.
Located just outside Paris and easily accessible by metro, the Montjoie Studios have established themselves as a leading player in European audiovisual production. Rémi Préchac and Xavier Flèche are committed to ensuring "the lasting renaissance of the studios" and aim "to play a part in shaping the history of France's cultural and creative industries by providing productions with optimal shooting conditions in a low-carbon studio that meets environmental challenges."
To stay updated on the latest from the Montjoie Studios and get behind-the-scenes glimpses of upcoming shoots, visit the Plaine Commune website and Actu Paris. Cinema fans interested in Parisian filming locations can also explore other studios in the region that contribute to the vibrant French and international film industry.
Official website
studiosdelamontjoie.com
