C’est l’amour: Exhibit shows Paris as seen by Hollywood – ‘Not a real city, it’s a cliché’

PARIS – “All good Americans when they die go to Paris” — so says a poster in a new exhibit tracing American cinema’s enduring fascination with the city of light.

The exhibit, “Paris seen by Hollywood,” opens Tuesday and displays rare movie storyboards, original sketches and original costumes such as iconic Givenchy dresses worn by Audrey Hepburn. It views the French capital through the eyes of the U.S.: The city of food, fashion, but most of all romance.

Hepburn’s 1957 movie “Ariane,”— one of several films in the display — shows couples passionately embracing in the street ,even holding a baguette.

Curator Antoine de Baecque says “Paris in Hollywood is not the real city, it’s a cliche. It’s an American projection.”

The exhibit runs at Paris City Hall until Dec. 15.