The Best Movies Set in the South of France
When it's cold and wet at home, there is nothing better than watching a film set on the French Riviera to bring a little sunshine to the screen.
The South of France has long attracted directors and screenwriters. From Alfred Hitchcock’s Riviera thrillers to French New Wave dramas and glossy Hollywood comedies, the Côte d’Azur has offered casinos, Belle Époque hotels, yacht harbours and hilltop villas as ready-made locations.
Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez in particular have become cinematic shorthand for Riviera elegance. Over the years, countless productions have used the beaches, marinas and grand hotels of the coast to frame stories of romance, deception and excess.
I've compiled a refreshed list for 2026 of the best movies set in the South of France, spanning iconic images of Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief to the hilarious antics of Eddie and Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous. The criteria is simple: films that showcase the region at its most stylish. All-out action movies like Transporter or the terribly dull Bonjour Tristesse won't make the cut.
So grab a glass or Rosé and join me on a cinematic escape along this spectacular shoreline with my picks for the top 10 films embracing all the charm and vibrancy this destination has to offer.
If you need more movie inspiration check out our guide to the best movies for Fashion Lovers, updated for 2026.
Best Movies Set in the South of France
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Priceless / Hors De Prix (2006)
And God Created Woman (1956)
Under the Cherry Moon (1986)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Magic in the Moonlight (2014)
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016)
French Kiss (1995)
Year of the Jellyfish / L’année des méduses (1984)
Grace of Monaco (2014)
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Grace Kelly in the hills above Monte Carlo
Possibly the most famous Riviera-set film, and the first of two Grace Kelly appearances on this list.
Adapted from the classic novel set on the Riviera by David Dodge. Cary Grant leads as the reformed cat burglar that needs to catch a new thief in order to convince people he has retired; all whilst falling in love with Kelly.
The 1955 Hitchcock Classic was filmed along the Côte d’Azur, from Nice to Cannes and Antibes with scenes in Vieux Nice, at Hotel Negresco and along the Croisette in Cannes Grant’s ‘pad’ is a beautiful farmhouse set high up in the Provence hillsides.
Priceless / Hors De Prix (2006)
This is our go-to film for a dose of Riviera indulgence. The original French title, Hors de Prix, means “overpriced” or “out of reach”, which neatly sums up its world of wealth and social ambition.
Starring Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh, it unfolds along the French Riviera in a light-footed tale of love and deception. It remains sharply entertaining on repeat viewing.
Audrey Tautou appears here in full Riviera mode, but she is just as closely tied to Paris on screen through Amélie and The Da Vinci Code, both featured in our guide to the best movies set in Paris.
And God Created Woman (1956)
Famous for launching Brigitte Bardot, this South of France movie was set in and around St Tropez with most of the action taking place on the beautiful waterfront.
In "And God Created Woman" (1956), Brigitte Bardot stars as Juliette, a sensuous and free-spirited young woman whose uninhibited behaviour disrupts the lives of the men in a conservative French town, sparking desire and jealousy in a tale that intertwines love, freedom, and societal norms.
The now legendary movie is worth a watch just to see St. Tropez as it was back in the day, although much still remains of its charm if you visit today (and can get away from the crowds).
Under the Cherry Moon (1986)
It might seem unlikely that a black and white film could capture the glamour of the Côte d'Azur, yet "Under the Cherry Moon," Prince's follow-up to "Purple Rain," does exactly that!
A black and white comedy filmed almost entirely on the Riviera, with two playboys Christopher Tracey and Tricky (Prince & The Time’s Jerome Benton) seducing beautiful elderly ladies to fund their lifestyle.
Many of the locations aren’t officially stated but you can see the Villa Rothschild, Nice Ville, Le Negresco (briefly) The Carlton in Cannes, The Hippodrome in Nice, as well as wonderful aerial shots of the Cote D’Azur coastline.
Shot on the French Riviera and soundtracked by Parade, Prince’s 1986 film is a misunderstood entry in his catalogue.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Another Riviera story about charming swindlers. In Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), Michael Caine and Steve Martin play two rivals competing to outwit a wealthy heiress.
This film is an absolute hoot, one I have seen way too many times. The fictitious town of ‘Beaumont-sur-Mer’ is actually Beaulieu-sur-Mer, East of Nice.
Magic in the Moonlight (2014)
Starring Colin Firth, this Woody Allen film follows an Englishman invited to his friend’s villa to expose a supposed clairvoyant.
This movie will take you to some beautiful South of France locations including L’Opèra in Nice, Villa Eilenroc Antibes and Villa La Renardière, Mouans-Sartoux.
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016)
In "Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie," Edina and Patsy, London's most notorious duo, find themselves on the run to the glamorous South of France after accidentally knocking Kate Moss into the Thames, sparking a media frenzy and a series of outrageously funny escapades.
Like many British movies, the action very quickly moves from Great Britain to the South of France (I’m looking at you Downton Abbey) but this one actually carries it off - providing ever more classic moments from this fashionable duo!
Not only is this a great film, but you also get to see a lot of the Cote D’Azur including the Martinez in Cannes, Hotel du Cap in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche. Don't forget to watch for Bubble's South of France home - Palais Bulles known as the Bubble Palace!
French Kiss (1995)
"French Kiss" (1995) sees Meg Ryan's character journeying to France, determined to win back her fiancé. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets a charming crook, played by Kevin Kline, leading to a romantic escapade on the sun-drenched beaches of Cannes in the South of France.
Year of the Jellyfish / L’année des méduses (1984)
The “Year of the Jellyfish" is a French drama set against the sultry backdrop of the French Riviera's sun-soaked beaches. The film follows the story of Chris, a manipulative and seductive teenager, played by Valérie Kaprisky, who uses her sexuality to disrupt the lives around her during a summer vacation.
Mubi explains it as, “A young Valerie Kaprisky, along with many other beautiful people, prance around semi-nude on the French Riviera.” Click for the full trailer.
Grace of Monaco (2014)
I think the late Grace Kelly was the perfect embodiment of the South of France Glamour. Not just as the Hollywood actress but later as the wife to Prince Rainier of Monaco.
"Grace of Monaco" (2014) portrays the story of Hollywood star Grace Kelly's transition to Princess Grace of Monaco, focusing on her personal and political challenges during a dispute between Monaco and France. Set against the lavish backdrop of the 1960s Côte d'Azur, the film captures the elegance and turmoil of her new royal life.
Whilst critics dismissed it, the film is worth watching for Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Grace Kelly and the tension between Hollywood celebrity and royal duty.
Scenes in the South of France
Cutting the list down to just ten movies set in the South of France was a challenge. Over the years, I've researched to find more films that feature this glamorous location, but don't necessarily capture the essence I was seeking for this list. For those looking to dig deeper, here is an additional selection of movies with the key scenes in the South of France.
Anthony Zimmer (2005)
Criminal Mastermind Anthony Zimmer (Yvan Atal) is wanted by the French police. But he has evaded capture and changed his appearance through extensive plastic surgery so the police no longer know who to look for. They choose instead to track his lover (Sophie Marceau) in the hope they will lead her to the mastermind. If this sounds familiar it is because it was remade as the Tourist with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.
As the action moves from Paris to Cannes, and onto Nice the movie offers memorable sequences in Cannes and Nice, with time spent at both the Carlton and Le Negresco.
Whilst not quite as glamorous as the Tourist remake it remains an enjoyable thriller that makes strong use of its Riviera locations.
Ronin (1998)
Ronin is a 1998 action thriller from director John Frankenheimer (French Connection II) with rip-roaring stunts filmed in Paris, Nice, and the winding roads of Villefranche-Sur-Mer.
The waterfront of Villefranche
If you want more action in the South of France check out the Transporter Trilogy with Jason Statham.
Rust and Bone (2012)
Rust and Bone tells the story of two broken individuals who find solace and strength in each other’s company. Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) is a struggling single father who moves to Antibes, a town on the French Riviera, with his young son to live with his sister.
He finds work as a bouncer and eventually becomes involved in underground street fighting to make ends meet.
Meeting up with Stéphanie (Marion Cotillard), a beautiful killer whale trainer at a marine park (in Biot, also featured in the Big Blue.) The couple set out on a tumultuous relationship. Not the most relaxing of movies but worth watching for the acting and the locations.
Le Grand Bleu (1985)
One of my all time favourite films. This Luc Besson classic tells the tale of two friends competing to be the greatest free divers in the world. Though much of Le Grand Bleu was filmed elsewhere, a pivotal part of the story unfolds at the marine park in Biot, nestled between the glitzy cities of Cannes and Nice on the fabulous Côte d'Azur.
James Bond on the Cote D’Azur
For a movie franchise that travels the globe, you would expect Bond to visit the South of France. For extended Riviera screen time, Never Say Never Again makes the most of the coastline.
Never Say Never Again (1983)
James Bond on the Cote D’Azur. The Sean Connery remake of Thunderball crisscrosses the globe from London to the Bahamas, with a key action sequence set in the narrow streets of Villefranche Sur Mer, just outside Nice. (It is also where the Stones recorded Exile on Main Street, but you don’t see that!)
From the outside Largo’s ‘Palmyra’ fortress is the historic Fort Carré in Antibes, France, with some shots at La Citadelle in Villefranche-sur-Mer, whilst the beautiful interiors were filmed at the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild .
Scenes from Goldeneye were shot in Monaco, with car chases were filmed in the Gréolières-les-Neiges and Thorenc areas.
For Bond fans seeking to know more of the South of France locations, I recommend ‘Côte d'Azur: Exploring the James Bond connections in the South of France’ by Simon Firth. With first hand investigations, photos and stories Simon spices together the details of which films, and which scenes are set on the Riviera.
If the Riviera offers Belle Époque hotels, marinas and sunlit glamour, Paris gives French cinema a different kind of magic. Our companion piece, 10 Favourite Movies That Capture Paris, moves from the cafés and side streets of Amélie to the riverbank conversations of Before Sunset, the cool urgency of À bout de souffle and the tension of Frantic. Together, the two articles offer very different screen versions of France, one shaped by coastal light, the other by boulevards, bridges, bookshops and the Métro.