Round glasses, lightning bolt scar on forehead, magic wand in hand: Harry Potter, the famous fictional character invented by J.K. Rowling, needs no introduction. The magical world in which this little British wizard lives may seem out of reach. Yet it's much closer than we think... There's no need to cross the Channel to discover the world of Harry Potter: magic is just as much alive in Paris! Stores, treats, filming locations... We'll take you on an original stroll, in the footsteps of the wizards fromHarry Potter and Fantastic Beasts.
Shooting locations in Paris :
Harry Potter is not the only hero in J.K. Rowling's universe. The author has also launched another saga: the Fantastic Beasts, starring Norbert Dragonneau. This shy wizard with a passion for animals made a brief stopover in Paris in the second part of this saga. You can visit several of the filming locations for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
We discover the French Ministry of Magic Affairs, hidden in two emblematic Parisian locations. In the film, we recognize the glass dome of the Grand Palais and the archives room of the BNF Richelieu.
Rue Claudel, the French equivalent of Chemin de Traverse, was inspired by the capital's covered passageways, particularly the Cour du Commerce Saint-André. You'll also recognize the Porte de Saint-Denis, in the 10th arrondissement, or the many Wallace fountains, which are the hidden doors to the Ministry of Magic.
Finally, the most courageous can venture into the settings associated with the saga's black mages: the Père-Lachaise cemetery, home to the Lestrange family mausoleum, and the Catacombs, where an important scene from the second Fantastic Beasts opus takes place. ..
Wizards of Paris:
Fans of the saga will surely remember the Philosopher's Stone, a magical object that offers eternal life to its owner. This fantastic artifact, introduced in the first novel, was invented by a certain Nicolas Flamel, a French public writer rumored to have been an alchemist capable of turning metals into gold... Well, this man actually existed! He even had a street named after him in Paris, in the 4th arrondissement. You can still admire his house, the oldest in the capital.
Nicolas Flamel's house, the oldest in Paris
How about a trip back in time? Today, we invite you to discover the oldest house in Paris known to date: the House of Nicolas Flamel. [Read more]
We're now heading for the 19th arrondissement, and more specifically the Place Rhin-et-Danube. In this part of Paris, opposite the Café Parisien, you should see a very special signpost: it indicates where to find the famous Chemin de Traverse, the alley where you'll find all the magical stores in the world of Harry Potter!
Originally installed by some prankster film students, this cardboard sign became a star on social networks when Paris City Hall replaced it with a hard signpost. Questioned by Actu Paris, the City of Paris explained that it had replaced the damaged sign without suspecting the deception. According to the City Hall, a city employee thought " it was a sign indicating a tourist walk ". On seeing the twisted cardboard sign, the official then " took the initiative of reporting the damaged sign and having it changed ".
Fans of the saga certainly remember what the Gryffindor common room looks like: entirely red, decorated with pictures and paintings, it offers a cozy refuge to our heroes. But have you really taken a good look at the room's decor? If so, you should recognize on the walls the tapestry of the Lady of the Unicorn, a Renaissance masterpiece that can be admired at the Musée de Cluny. As soon as this museum reopens its doors, we recommend a visit to (re)see this exceptional tapestry.
And to find out more :
Hogwarts within metro reach – this is what these wizarding places offer to the Harry Potter fans in the Paris area. Come along and discover the great outing experiences waiting for Potterheads in Paris. Get your brooms, it is time to dive into the wizarding world! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
Starts May 17, 2022
Nicolas Flamel's house, the oldest in Paris
Harry Potter: locations, experiences and outings for Potterheads in Paris and Île-de-France
