Have you have recently finished streaming the Netflix horror thriller Under Paris? If so, you might just have a few questions. After all, it is a wild ride! But, if you enjoy the horror genre, it’s is a fun watch to get a good look at one of Paris’s main attractions: the Seine River. While the action focuses on a giant shark causing havoc in the Seine, the movie takes you past various attractions along the famous river in Paris.
Haven’t heard of it yet? Read on to find out more about Under Paris and how it might just inspire some unique experiences on your next trip to Paris!
What is Under Paris?
This French movie was released by Netflix on June 5, 2024. The narrative follows marine researcher Sophia Assalas (Bérénice Bejo) as she tracks a giant shark named Lilith. Sophia finds herself working in an aquarium in Paris and, to her surprise, Lilith is swimming around in the Seine. Environmental activists Mika (Léa Léviant) and Ben (Nagisa Morimoto) tell Sophia about Lilith’s existence in the river. To confirm that the shark was in the freshwater river, they attempt to spot it underwater, which brings the activists in contact with the river police.
As you might expect, the police don’t believe a shark could be swimming in the Seine. So, they dive into the river to get eyes on Lilith and end up believing what Sophia and the activists told them. The police and Sophia then inform a bumbling mayor of Paris, played by Anne Marivin, who is too concerned about hosting the Paris Triathlon. From there, the movie moves into exciting and bloody territory.
Overall, the movie is a silly bloodbath—similar to the “Sharknado” movies—but it also has an environmental message for its viewers. According to Rotten Tomatoes, 63 percent of 43 critics reviews are positive. Variety said the movie had “the best launch for a non-English language film on Netflix with 41 million views in its five first days on the service” and that a sequel is in the works.
Dive Deeper Into Paris
If you’ve already seen the movie and are curious about some of Paris’s river and underwater activities, we’ve gathered together some options for you to explore more of its waterways and underground. You might find some of these attractions interesting after watching Under Paris.
Paris Sewer Museum
Most of the movie takes place in the Paris sewers, so what better place to learn more about this essential infrastructure than the Paris Sewer Museum? This is a unique way to learn about Paris’s history, and this fascinating museum is located near many of our Paris vacation rentals by the Pont de l’Alma in the 7th arrondissement. According to the museum, “The sewers today unfold 2600 km of galleries and gutters. Some 300 million qm3 of rainwater and wastewater pass through them every year.” The museum offers guided tours and permanent exhibits where you can learn about the history of sewers, sewer workers and water treatment methods.
Catacombs of Paris Skip-the-Line Tour
Another area prominently featured later in the film is the catacombs. This intriguing skip-the-line Catacombs of Paris tour is ideal for those who want to see more of the surprising underworld of Paris. If you thought there were a lot of skeletons in the movie, we’ll let you know that there are roughly six million below the Paris streets. An informed guide will take you to the heart of the catacombs and share history and chilling stories.
Seine River Boat Cruise
If you want a more relaxing tour, board a Seine River Boat Cruise. The Seine is one of the main attractions as the center stage for shark attacks and stunning skyline shots. Thankfully, you need not worry about any possible shark episodes and can just sit back as the boat tour gives you a glimpse of the Paris from the water as you learn more about the history that has shaped the Seine.
Enjoy a dinner cruising along the Seine.
Experience Paris … Without the Sharks!
See the sites that helped make Under Paris a streaming success by booking directly with Vacation Perfect. Read more about Paris and our apartment vacation rentals on our Paris Perfect travel blog for more ideas and travel information inspiration. Contact us on our website or call 1-888-520-2087 to learn about renting a vacation apartment in Paris along the Seine.
