The Top 9 Hallmark Movies Set in France
Hallmark movies have a special place in our hearts, combining romance, scenic locations, and feel-good storylines. France, with its picturesque landscapes, charming cities, and romantic allure, serves as the perfect backdrop for some of Hallmark’s most beloved films. Today we’re sharing the top 9 Hallmark movies set in France.
Hallmark Films Shot in Bulgaria as France
The allure of France, with its rich history, elegant architecture, and cultural depth, captivates stateside viewers, providing an enchanting escape from everyday life. But did you know, while these top Hallmark movies in France are set in the mesmerizing locales of France, many are actually filmed in Bulgaria, which offers diverse scenery and historic architecture that can convincingly double for French settings.
Best Hallmark Movies with French Settings
Here’s a look at the best Hallmark movies with French settings, with a touch of behind-the-scenes magic.
Savoring Paris (2024)
Starring: Bethany Joy Lenz, Stanley Weber, and Ben Wiggins
Synopsis: Disillusioned with her life, Ella (Bethany Joy Lenz) embarks on a soul-searching journey to Paris. Amidst the enchanting backdrop of The City of Love, she navigates love, self-discovery, and the delights of French cheese. Based on the 2018 novel Fromage à Trois: Paris. Love. Cheese by Victoria Brownlee (buy the book here via Amazon).
What We Thought: It’s a lovely movie with an incredible cast that brings charm and depth to their roles. Best of all, the modern storytelling steps outside the Hallmark norms, offering a fresh and engaging narrative.
Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch (2024)
Starring: Brooke D’Orsay and Gilles Marini
Synopsis: An American psychologist (Brooke D’Orsay), hired to coach a fashion designer, assists a guarded French detective (Gilles Marini) in unraveling a list of fashionable suspects after a murder occurs backstage at a Paris fashion show.
First Impression: Despite its gorgeous cast, this Hallmark Mystery movie missed the mark in not only its haute couture but the plot’s predictability made it obvious who the killer was early on.
You can listen to the entire Girls Gone Hallmark review of Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch here.
Joyeux Noel (2023)
Starring: Brant Daugherty and Jaicy Elliot
Synopsis: Captivated by a romantic painting of a Christmas market, copy editor Lea (Jaicy Elliott) embarks on a journey to France alongside pragmatic reporter Mark (Brant Daugherty) to unravel the mystery behind the elusive artist.
What We Know: This movie was part of the 2023 Countdown to Christmas lineup and the script was written by star Brant Daugherty and his wife Kimberly. Reviewers on IMDb give this one an average of 6.1/10.
Romantic Hallmark Movies Set in France
A Paris Proposal (2023)
Starring: Alexa PenaVega and Nicholas Bishop
Synopsis: The story revolves around Anna (Alexa PenaVega) and Sebastian (Nicholas Bishop), colleagues who are mistaken as a couple by a client, leading them to maintain the facade to avoid disappointing their most important client.
What We Thought: Overall, it’s a sweet movie that leans heavily into the enemies-to-lovers trope, a familiar theme Hallmark often employs, offering predictable yet enjoyable romantic escapism. Alexa PenaVega’s striped dress is a straight up dupe for one Carrie from Sex and the City wore.
Listen to the Girls Gone Hallmark review of A Paris Proposal here.
Moriah’s Lighthouse (2022)
Starring: Rachelle Lefevre and Luke Macfarlane
Synopsis: Moriah (Rachelle Lefevre), a skilled woodworking artisan in a quaint French seaside town, harbors dreams of restoring a local lighthouse. However, her aspirations face uncertainty when Ben (Luke Macfarlane), an American architect arriving in town, threatens to disrupt her plans.
What We Know: This was the movie that set off a war of words between screenwriter Paul Campbell and a popular Hallmark movie review podcast (not us!). Reviewers on IMDb gave it an average of 6.4/10 stars.
Her Pen Pal (2021)
Starring: Mallory Jansen and Joshua Sasse
Synopsis: Event planner Victoria (Mallory Jansen) can’t wait to attend and plan her best friend’s wedding in Paris. But when she finds out her ex is bringing a date, Victoria reconnects with her French childhood pen pal (Joshua Sasse).
What We Know: “Her Pen Pal” is written and directed by the same women behind “Savoring Paris.” IMDb reviewers give it an average of 6.7/10 stars.
Paris, Wine & Romance (2019)
Starring: Jen Lilley and Dan Jeannotte
Synopsis: Isabella (Jen Lilley), the owner of her family’s Oregon winery, takes a big leap and enters a prestigious wine competition in Paris. It’s there she meets her biggest competitor, Jacques (Dan Jeannotte), from one of the world’s foremost winemaking families.
What We Know: This appears to be Dan Jeannotte’s first project for the Hallmark Channel. Reviewers on IMDb give this movie an average rating of 6.8/10 stars.
Love Locks (2017)
Starring: Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell
Synopsis: Twenty years after she was last in Paris, a Lindsey (Rebecca Romijn) returns to the City of Light, where she reconnects with her college boyfriend and first love (Jerry O’Connell).
What We Know: “Love Locks” stars real-life married couple Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell. This is also a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie which means it had a budget comparable to that of a feature film.
Summer Villa (2016)
Starring: Hilarie Burton Morgan and Victor Webster
Synopsis: A celebrity chef (Victor Webster) who is getting over a bad review and a romance novelist (Hilarie Burton Morgan) who can’t seem to get her next book started meet accidentally at a French villa.
What We Thought: Victor Webster’s shirtless poolside scene is *chef’s kiss*, but the storyline is very classic Hallmark, with miscommunication and accidental travel surprises driving the plot.
Listen to Girls Gone Hallmark review Summer Villa here.
These Hallmark movies set in France offer viewers a delightful mix of romance, culture, and scenic beauty. Whether it’s the bustling streets of Paris, the serene countryside, or the festive holiday spirit, these films provide a perfect escape to the magical world of French romance.
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