A Guide to Stylish Parisian Filming Spots From Apple TV+’s New Series About Chanel and Dior

Fans of travel and television fell in love with Netflix’s Emily in Paris, and this vibrant homage to fashion and romance may have even influenced tourism. A recent IFOP poll revealed that 54 percent of viewers expressed a desire to live or work in the city, compared to just 25 percent of non-viewers. This month, the City of Light is featured in a new streaming series about the fashion industry, and while it promises a darker, more intricate narrative, the filming locations in Paris are equally glamorous. Apple TV+ launches its captivating drama The New Look on Valentine’s Day, set during and after the Nazi occupation, focusing on the rivalry between Coco Chanel (Juliette Binoche) and Christian Dior (Ben Mendelsohn), alongside a star-studded cast including John Malkovich, Glenn Close, Emily Mortimer, and Maisie Williams.

The series is crafted by seven-time Emmy nominee Todd A. Kessler, co-creator of Damages and Bloodline, bringing a touch of authenticity through its use of real Parisian filming sites. Here’s how to follow in their fashionable footsteps during your next trip to Paris.

Grand Amphithéâtre at the Sorbonne

The series kicks off with a flash-forward to 1955, showcasing a fashion show and lecture by Dior in the stunning amphitheater of the nearly 800-year-old university. Established in 1889, the room features the remarkable 84-foot-long canvas Le Bois Sacré by Puvis de Chavannes, depicting the ideals of Literature, Science, and the Arts. If there aren’t any public events taking place during your visit, you can arrange a guided tour of this esteemed institution.

House of Dior

In 1946, Christian Dior launched his new fashion house in a historic hôtel particulier located in the eighth arrondissement (as shown at the top of the article), just a stone's throw from the Champs-Élysées. "It had to be 30, avenue Montaigne," he later recounted in his memoir about the “packed little beehive” where he began with three workshops. His popular “New Look” quickly gained traction, leading him to expand into adjacent buildings. You can explore haute couture, ready-to-wear, jewelry, beauty products, and home goods at the recently reopened flagship on Avenue Montaigne or delve into the brand's history at the exhibitions in La Galerie Dior nearby.

Gallopin

In the premiere episode, Dior shares thoughts on designs and the Nazi occupation with Pierre Balmain (Thomas Poitevin) and Cristóbal Balenciaga (Nuno Lopes) at a bar lined with mahogany and mirrors. This is Gallopin, established in 1876 in the second arrondissement, situated across from the old neoclassical stock exchange. The front area was among the city's first cocktail bars, while the art nouveau dining room continues to serve classic brasserie dishes like foie gras, steak tartare, and escargots.

Hôtel Regina Louvre

Chanel famously resided at the Ritz for many years, but in the series, this iconic location is represented by the equally historic Hôtel Regina Louvre, which opened in 1900 across the Rue de Rivoli from the Jardin des Tuileries, on the site of the former royal riding school. Look out for scenes set in the grand lobby, featuring its checkerboard flooring, crystal chandeliers, and intricately carved wooden windows in the art nouveau style. Although it may not be the Ritz, the Regina boasts five-star luxury, complete with an oak-paneled bar, an exquisite tea room, a newly opened hammam and sauna, and one of the best locations in Paris—just a five-minute stroll to the Louvre.

Maxim’s

In the premiere episode, Chanel joins her German spy boyfriend Hans Günther von Dincklage (Claes Bang) for a convivial dinner alongside other Nazi occupiers. While her collaboration might be unsettling, the surroundings are undeniably appealing. Maxim’s features one of the most extravagant Belle Époque dining rooms in the city. Established in 1893 just a short walk from the Hôtel de Crillon, its opulent interior has been showcased in films like Gigi and Midnight in Paris.

Musée des Arts Décoratifs

In the fourth episode, couturier Lucien Lelong (John Malkovich) oversees his team as they stitch delicate dresses for mannequins in an opulent, art-adorned space. This is the art nouveau Salon du Bois, located within the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which occupies the northwestern wing of the Palais du Louvre. The museum’s fashion collection boasts over 150,000 pieces, including creations by many designers featured in the series, like Dior. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering free admission for visitors under 26, or €15 for access to permanent collections and exhibitions.