In the footsteps of Assane Diop in Paris Region
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- Lupin Filming Locations in Paris Region
Arsène Lupin had Paris. Assane Diop has Paris Region.
Since January 2021, the Netflix series Lupin has captivated audiences worldwide. Created by George Kay and starring Omar Sy, it follows Assane Diop, the son of a Senegalese immigrant who becomes a modern-day gentleman thief. Inspired by Arsène Lupin the iconic literary character he sets out to avenge his father, who was wrongly accused of a crime. A global phenomenon, Lupin quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched international series, reaching tens of millions of households within its first month.
For his bold heists and clever disguises, Assane Diop chooses Paris and its surroundings as his playground. From the world-famous Louvre Museum to the elegant Luxembourg Gardens and the refined Place Vendôme, some locations are instantly recognisable and showcased in all their iconic beauty. Others, more discreet, reveal a different side of the destination: a suburban conservatory, a basketball court in Aubervilliers, or a historic Parisian mansion transformed into a family estate for the series. This unique mix of landmarks and hidden gems offers countless clues for fans eager to follow in the footsteps of the gentleman thief.
Now it’s your turn to step into the story.
Louvre: the iconic opening scene from Lupin
It all begins at the Louvre Museum, where the story of Lupin unfolds. From the very first episode, the museum becomes a true cinematic playground, elevated by the spectacular direction of Louis Leterrier. Filmed inside the museum itself, these scenes reveal breathtaking views of the Cour Napoléon, the Carrousel du Louvre, the Grande Galerie, and the iconic Mona Lisa room.
The camera lingers on some of the world’s most celebrated masterpieces, Mona Lisa, Liberty Leading the People, and The Wedding Feast at Cana while showcasing the Louvre’s monumental architecture and legendary spaces, transformed for the screen into a dazzling fictional backdrop.
With more than 35,000 artworks displayed across over 210,000 square metres, the Louvre Museum remains the most visited museum in the world. It stands as a majestic setting where heritage, cinema and storytelling come together. A place to experience through the lens of Lupin.
A villain’s Mansion
In the series, the imposing residence of the Pellegrini family, Assane’s sworn enemies, is none other than the Musée Nissim de Camondo, located on the edge of Parc Monceau in Paris’s elegant 8th arrondissement. Its grand courtyard, stately façade, and refined garden designed by landscape architect Achille Duchêne provide the backdrop for the many flashback scenes that punctuate the story.
This neo-classical mansion, built between 1911 and 1914 by architect René Sergent and inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles, houses an exceptional collection of 18th-century furniture and decorative arts. Commissioned by Moïse de Camondo to showcase his collection, the estate was later gifted to France in memory of his son Nissim, who died in combat in 1917. His daughter Béatrice and her children were later deported and perished at Auschwitz, adding a deeply moving historical layer to the site.
Currently closed for renovation, the museum is expected to reopen in early 2029. In the meantime, its remarkable façade can still be admired from Rue de Monceau.
The Pont des Arts, a bridge through time
Before his death, Babakar, Assane’s father, gave him a copy of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar. Years later, in a powerful closing scene of the first episode, Assane passes that same book on to his son Raoul on the iconic Pont des Arts. More than just a prop, the novel becomes a symbolic link between three generations.
Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and inaugurated in 1812, the Pont des Arts located in the heart of Paris’s 1st arrondissement is one of the city’s most recognisable bridges, with its elegant metal structure facing the Institut de France. Once covered in thousands of love locks left by couples from around the world, they were removed to preserve the bridge’s integrity.
From its railings, visitors can enjoy sweeping views over the Seine, stretching from the Pont de Sully to the iconic Pont Alexandre III. With the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay just a short stroll away, the bridge offers one of the most breathtaking panoramas in Paris Region.
A trap at the Luxembourg Gardens
The Luxembourg Gardens, in Paris’s 6th arrondissement, set the stage for one of the series’ most memorable scenes. Here, Assane lures Juliette Pellegrini to the octagonal pond, disguised as a bike courier. A public, anonymous space — the perfect setting for a gentleman thief. But the police are already there, blending into the crowd.
Unfazed, Assane makes a daring escape by disappearing into a sudden swarm of bike couriers flooding the park’s paths, leaving the officers stunned. In the background, children quietly sail miniature boats across the pond — a timeless Parisian scene that contrasts beautifully with the suspense unfolding.
Created in 1612 for Marie de’ Medici, the Luxembourg Gardens remain one of the city’s most beloved green spaces. With 23 hectares of tree-lined paths, iconic green chairs and its grand fountain framed by the Luxembourg Palace, it offers a peaceful escape in the heart of Paris Region.
A hidden architectural gem in Montreuil
In a brief but striking scene from Season 1, Assane is seen walking past the Montreuil Conservatory on Avenue de la Résistance. A fleeting moment yet enough for attentive fans to pinpoint the location.
Opened in 1976 and designed by architect Claude Le Goas, this regional conservatory in Seine-Saint-Denis stands out for its bold and unconventional design. Its bright orange metal shells, stacked like honeycomb cells, house acoustically isolated classrooms. Awarded for its innovative metal architecture, the building was conceived from the inside out, creating a unique and organic silhouette that sharply contrasts with its surroundings.
Deals and disguises at Saint-Ouen Flea Market
At the famous Saint-Ouen Flea Market, Assane meets his closest ally, Benjamin Ferel, who runs an antique shop in the prestigious Biron market often referred to as the “Faubourg Saint-Honoré of the flea markets.”
Dressed in a beret and long coat, Assane comes here to negotiate the resale of his stolen treasures. The shop itself spans two levels: one for regular customers, the other for more discreet transactions. Among the items seen on screen are a Fabergé egg and a replica of the Queen’s necklace.
Spanning over 7 hectares just outside Paris, the Puces de Saint-Ouen bring together more than 1,100 antique dealers and art merchants, attracting millions of visitors each year. From furniture to tapestries and rare objects, it’s a true treasure trove and the perfect playground for a modern-day gentleman thief.
Choosing an Accomplice at the Library
In the Season 1 finale, Assane and Benjamin wander through the breathtaking Labrouste Reading Room at the Institut national d’histoire de l’art (INHA), searching for the perfect accomplice. Among the readers, they spot Philippe Courbet. In the series, the library is said to house the world’s largest collection of Arsène Lupin books.
Designed by architect Henri Labrouste between 1861 and 1868 for Napoleon III’s Imperial Library, the room is one of the most beautiful in Paris. Sixteen slender cast-iron columns support nine white ceramic domes, pierced with oculi that diffuse soft, natural light throughout the space. Its striking architecture, inspired by Second Empire design, gives the space a truly timeless feel.
Although reserved for art history researchers and not open to the general public, it can still be glimpsed from the courtyard of the Bibliothèque nationale de France Richelieu site or visited during special heritage events.
A meeting above the City at Buttes-Chaumont
In Season 2, Assane meets Juliette at the Temple of the Sibyl, perched atop the lake island in Buttes-Chaumont Park. The setting is dramatic: an ancient-style pavilion hidden among the trees, rising fifty metres above the water, with sweeping views over Paris.
Opened in 1867 for the Universal Exhibition, this park in the 19th arrondissement is one of Paris’s most distinctive green spaces, known for its steep paths, waterfalls, lake and unexpected viewpoints. Inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy, the circular Temple of the Sibyl offers one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the capital.
Prunier: caviar and classic Parisian elegance
In Season 2, Assane and Juliette meet at the renowned Prunier restaurant on Avenue Victor Hugo in the 16th arrondissement. Over dinner, they reminisce about the past — before slipping away without paying the bill and disappearing on a stolen Vespa near the Arc de Triomphe.
Run by celebrated chef Yannick Alléno, Prunier Paris is one of the capital’s most iconic dining addresses. Founded in 1872, it is famous for its oysters and caviar, served in an Art Deco setting listed as a historic monument, with mirrored walls and intricate mosaics. The perfect backdrop for a refined yet daring escape.
A sleight of hand in a modern Paris park
In a matter of seconds, everything unfolds at Parc-Martin-Luther King in the Batignolles district (17th arrondissement). As Assane plays the role of a helpful passer-by, Benjamin discreetly steals a briefcase from a key witness.
Opened in 2007, this 10-hectare contemporary park is surrounded by striking modern architecture. Designed around the themes of nature, sport and water, it features landscaped hills, ponds and a 3,000 m² biodiversity area an unexpected setting for such a perfectly orchestrated heist.
A daring heist at Place Vendôme
Season 3 opens with a spectacular operation: Assane orchestrates the robbery of a luxury jewellery store from the top of the Vendôme Column itself, overlooking the iconic Place Vendôme.
While Omar Sy did climb the real staircase inside the column to film rooftop scenes, the tight space required additional filming setups to capture the action. The jewellery store interiors, meanwhile, were recreated in a nearby private mansion overlooking the square.
Built under Napoleon I to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz, Place Vendôme is now synonymous with high jewellery and Parisian luxury, home to prestigious maisons such as Cartier, Chaumet and Van Cleef & Arpels, as well as the legendary Ritz Paris.
Going undercover in Aubervilliers
In Season 3, while on the run, Assane adopts a new identity to stay close to his son Raoul. Disguised as “Alex,” a basketball coach, he trains at the Hoops Factory in Aubervilliers, just north of Paris and the La Villette district. Neither Claire nor Raoul recognise him.
A pioneer of indoor basketball in France, Hoops Factory first opened in Aubervilliers before expanding nationwide. Open year-round to all, it offers professional-grade courts inspired by the NBA and has been acquired by the French Basketball Federation to encourage wider participation in the sport. A fitting training ground for Assane Diop.
From world-famous museums to hidden libraries, bustling flea markets and suburban basketball courts, Assane Diop has left his mark across Paris Region. The clues are there.
Now it’s your turn to follow the trail.
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- Copyright image: © Netflix