France is a huge country with such diverse landscapes. When I think of France, I think of Paris, vineyards with grapes for miles around and beaches along the coastline. The films set in France also reflect my ideals.

I recently wrote a whopping blog post on films set in Paris, and now it’s all of the films set in France’s turn.

So, if you read this list, and the first thing you think is “where is Amélie you daft woman? Or An American in Paris? Or Moulin Rouge for crying out loud?!” Relax, cool your jets.

They are all on this list: 84 Films set in Paris to watch before visiting

But they’re no good for wanderlust-inspiring movies if you’re heading to the French Riviera or Lyon. For that, you’ll need this more general list of films set in France!

23 Films set in France you MUST watch

1. The Rules of the Game (1939)

Director: Jean Renoir

Language: French

2. Bonjour Tristesse (1954)

Director: Otto Preminger

Language: English

3. To Catch a Thief (1955)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Language: French

Read my blog post on To Catch a Thief Film Locations in Cannes, France.

4. Adieu Philippine (1962)

Director: Jacques Rozier

Language: French

5. Jules et Jim (1962)

Director: François Truffaut

Language: French

6. A Man and a Woman (1966)

Director: Claude Lelouch

Language: French

7. Le Boucher (1970)

Director: Claude Chabrol

Language: French

8. Diamonds are Forever (1971)

Director: Guy Hamilton

Language: French

9. Day for Night (1973)

Director: François Truffaut

Language: French

10. The Duellists (1977)

Director: Ridley Scott

Language: English

11. Moonraker (1979)

Director: Lewis Gilbert

Language: English

12. Manon Des Sources (1986)

Director: Claude Berri

Language: French

13. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

Director: Frank Oz

Language: English

14. Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

Director: Jean-Paul Rappeneau

Language: French

15. The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)

Director: Randall Wallace

Language: English

16. Chocolat (2000)

Director: Lasse Hallström

Language: English/French

17. Marie Antoinette (2006)

Director: Sofia Coppola

Language: English/French.

Read my blog post on Marie Antoinette Film Locations in France (Versailles and Paris).

18. A Good Year (2006)

Director: Ridley Scott

Language: English/French/Russian

19. Welcome to the Sticks (2008)

Director: Dany Boon

Language: French

20. Coco Before Chanel (2009)

Director: Anne Fontaine

Language: French/English

21. In Touchables (2011)

Director: Olivier Nakache & Eric Toledano

Language: French

22. Farewell, My Queen (2012)

Director: Benoit Jacquot

Language: French

23. The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

Director: Lasse Hallström

Language: English

And those are my top films set in France I think you should watch! Have you seen any? Are there any you think I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below!

Read next:

84 Films Set in Paris to Watch Before Visiting