Books might have consciously introduced me to Europe, but the movies on Europe were the ones that gave me the beautiful visuals of this grand continent.
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These are the movies set in Europe that made me fall in love with the continent. They’re all wonderful—with interesting plots, and great cinematography, and best of all, they showcase the beauty of Europe and the best it has to offer. Whether it’s a cosmopolitan scene or a quaint small village, you’ll see in them the many charming facets of Europe.
Most movies set in Europe were filmed either in Italy or France. Classics like Roman Holiday and A Room with a View were all filmed in Italy, while To Catch a Thief starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly was filmed in the French Riviera. All-time favorites like Eat Pray Love and Midnight in Paris were set in Italy and France, respectively.
Leap Year is one of my favorite movies that takes place in Europe. It’s a romantic comedy set in the lush and beautiful countryside of Ireland, so prepare to get enchanted.
The story is about a woman who got tired of waiting for a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, so she took matters into her own hands and went to Ireland to propose herself on a leap day. Nothing goes according to plan and she finds herself meeting an Irish guy, going on a road trip with him across Irish villages, and finding new love along the way. Get Leap Year here.
Chasing Liberty is another favorite of mine. I’ve watched it so many times that I think I could recite some lines even in my sleep. Ha.
It’s about the daughter of a US president, who ditched her bodyguards in Europe and went on a road trip with a guy she met there. She falls in love with him but finds out near the end that not everything’s all it seems.
This movie takes you to Prague in the Czech Republic, Venice, the small towns of Italy, and Paris. Shop for Chasing Liberty here.
Under the Tuscan Sun is the movie that made me fall in love with the small towns of Italy and the Italian culture.
This is the story of Frances Mayes who vacationed in Tuscany, Italy, fell in love with the place, and decided to move there permanently. It chronicles her move—from buying a house to renovating it, making friends, and adjusting to her new country.
Under the Tuscan Sun gives us a peek at the quaint Italian country life and the Italian culture.
This movie is based on a book with the same title written by the real Frances Mayes. If you love the movie and want to read its origins, grab the book Under The Tuscan Sun here. Get the movie here.
Another movie set in Italy that I love is Letters to Juliet, which is set against the backdrop of the gorgeous Italian countryside.
The movie tells of Sophie who goes to Verona, helps an old lady find her lost love, and finds her (Sophie) own true love in the process.
The movie is perfect—great characterizations, good dialogues, superb acting, and the scenery throughout it is just amazing! This is a romance film, but it’s wonderfully made so that everyone would enjoy it. A great escapist film! Shop for Letters to Juliet here.
It’s impossible to talk about movies set in Italy and not include the classic Roman Holiday.
If you haven’t seen it yet (and why haven’t you. )), it’s about a runaway princess who explores Rome with a newspaperman who pretends he doesn’t know who she is.
It’s a fun fairytale-like movie that’s sweet and wholesome, so it’s perfect for the whole family. It will take you to the sights and delights of Rome and will have you wanting to book a flight soon. Shop for Roman Holiday here.
Let’s take a little break from all that Italian lovefest and travel to one of my favorite cities (if not my favorite) in the world, the city of love—Paris!
I just love Paris and I go back there every year—vicariously, through my favorite movies set in Paris.
One such movie is French Kiss which stars Meg Ryan and Kevin Cline. French Kiss is funny and such a feel-good movie that would take you to Paris and the beautiful French countryside. It lets you experience the delights of the French culture. Shop for French Kiss here.
A Good Year tells the story of a man who goes to Provence to take care of a vineyard he inherited from his uncle and there meets a cast of colorful characters. Showcased in this movie are the French countryside and the way of life in the rural South of France. Get the movie here.
The film is based on a book written by the talented Peter Mayle entitled “A Year in Provence”. Written in Mayle’s deftly witty way, it’s a heartwarming read that recounts his life after moving to Provence from the UK and presents us a riveting, and often funny, look at the Provencal life. It’s one of my favorite books set in France and one I go to now and then if I want a taste of rural French living. Get the book here.
A road trip along the French countryside to Paris? Count me in!
I love road trip movies! And I love them even better if they’re set in France. That’s why I watched Paris Can Wait, which stars the beautiful Diane Lane, who portrayed the character of Frances Mayes in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun.
In this film, a woman had to go on a road trip with her husband’s French business partner from Cannes to Paris. She’s in a hurry to get to Paris, but the French guy takes his time and shows her the beauty and culture of France along the way.
You’re taken across the beautiful French countryside and some famous monuments in France, and treated to a wide array of French gastronomic delights. Get Paris Can Wait here.
In Bruges is the movie that had me booking tickets to Bruges, Belgium. And boy, was it so worth it!
The movie is about two gangsters who are forced to go into hiding in Bruges. What follows are some laughs and nonstop entertainment.
You, of course, get to see the enchanting Bruges in this movie—go on a canal boat ride, visit its many sights, and bask in the medieval magic that is Bruges! Shop for In Bruges here.
Monte Carlo is a fun and cute movie about three girls from Texas who go on a trip to Paris, but one of them ends up being mistaken for a celebrity. They were whisked off to Monte Carlo to live a glamorous life, and so fun and mayhem began. It’s great for the whole family. Shop for Monte Carlo here.
My Life in Ruins is one of the movies in Europe that is set in Greece.
It tells the story of an American-Greek travel tour director whose life changed on her last tour bus journey. You will see the awesome Greek ruins in this movie, the beaches, and the beautiful Greece. It’s like going on a holiday yourself while watching this movie. Shop for My Life in Ruins here.
You’ll also see Greece in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. This is one of the movies on Europe that is also based on books of the same title.
It tells the story of four friends who found a pair of pants that fit each of them, despite having different body types. They parted ways for the summer, each going to different places, but they promised to rotate the pants among themselves during their separation. Also, each one would share something significant that happened to her while wearing the pants.
You’ll love this coming-to-age story as many do. Shop for the movie here.
Eurotrip is a comedy about four friends who went backpacking in Europe. They experience many things on their journey that provide laughs. You’ll be taken to many European cities in this movie, some of which are London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Italy. Shop for Eurotrip here.
Eat, Pray, Love is a movie based on the book of the same title by Elizabeth Gilbert. While many say that the book in this case is better than the movie, still it’s fun to get a visual of what’s in the book.
It’s the story of Liz, who goes on a sabbatical for a year to travel the world and find herself. There’s plenty of traveling involved, so of course, you also get to visit the locales she’s been to. It’s a nice movie. Shop for the movie here.
The Hundred-Foot Journey is a beautiful movie set in France.
It’s about competing chefs, creating delicious and beautiful food, culture, and people coming together—it’s amazing! Please watch it, because you’ll regret it if you don’t. Shop for The Hundred-Foot Journey here.
So there you have it, the movies on Europe that made me fall in love with it. Let us know which are your favorites.
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