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Inception

Where Inception was Shot

When Inception came out – or rather just before it came out, when anything everybody had ever seen from it were a few clips and a print synopsis – it was hailed, even by journalists from serious newspapers (who really should know better) as a masterpiece, a thinking man’s adventure entertainment, half reflection on the nature of human consciousness, half action flick.

Once the movie was actually released, this initial enthusiasm quickly evaporated. It was plain for all to see that the producers, inevitably unable to square this particular circle and, faced with the need to go for big-box-office schlock or philosophical profundity, had called in the guys from the pyrotechnics department.

The Guardian’s movie critic awarded it in the end three out of five stars, which was probably par for the course.

There is, however, one scene in the film which has survived the general disappointment to become almost iconic, and many more people than those who watched the actual movie will have seen it pop up in various places, from news footage to features about the latest movie technologies and even heavyweight documentaries about the workings of the human mind.

This is the scene, shot in Paris but engineered in London, where Leonardo DiCaprio takes his young assistant – the girl whose role is to ask questions on behalf of a puzzled audience – to a street cafe in Paris. Or does he?

"Italian restaurant used in movie Inception"

This “Café Debussy” – around which the whole city of Paris eventually begins to fold up as though it was made of papier-mâché – is actually located on the corner of Rue Bouchut and Rue Cesar Franck in the 15th arrondissement, a few blocks south of the UNESCO building (Metro: Sevres Lecourbe).

In “reality”, however (please note the inverted commas: you can never be sure these days), the “Café Debussy” is an Italian corner deli that was converted by the filmmakers. (On Google Maps: Da Stuzzi or Italia Mia, 6 Rue César Franck, 75015 Paris, France.)

As though there were not enough street cafes in Paris. Ah, Hollywood.

And while you are purchasing your salad or Italian bread: ask yourself whether you can remember how you actually got there. When you hear Edith Piaf singing Je Ne Regrette Rien, you can be sure your dream is nearly over.

Want to discover more places in Paris where famous films have been shot? Get Paris Movie Walks today!

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