Where Was The Grand Tour Filmed?

The 'Netflix Tour de France' documentary, officially titled 'Tour de France: Unchained,' was filmed across multiple iconic locations in France and neighboring countries during the actual 2022 Tour de France race. The crew followed teams like Jumbo-Visma and AG2R Citroën through grueling mountain stages in the Alps and Pyrenees, capturing behind-the-scenes drama in team buses and tiny French villages. What fascinated me was how they balanced cinematic aerial shots of landscapes with raw, intimate moments—like cyclists vomiting mid-race or mechanics fixing bikes at 3 AM. The production must’ve been a logistical nightmare, but the result feels like a love letter to both the sport and France’s breathtaking terrain. One standout scene was filmed on the Col du Granon, where Jonas Vingegaard clinched his lead. The foggy, brutal climb looked straight out of a medieval quest. They also included snippets from Denmark (where the race started that year) and Belgian cobblestone sectors. It’s less about a single filming location and more about stitching together the chaos and beauty of the race’s three-week odyssey.

Ariana Grande has been pretty quiet about her 2024 plans, but if I had to guess, I’d say a tour isn’t off the table! She’s been teasing new music lately, and her last album, 'Positions,' feels like it’s begging for a live treatment. I’ve seen her twice in concert, and let me tell you, she’s one of those artists who just gets how to put on a show—her vocals are insane, and the production is always next-level. That said, she’s also been focusing on her acting career with 'Wicked,' so she might be juggling filming and promo. But hey, Taylor Swift did 'The Eras Tour' while re-recording her albums, so anything’s possible! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an announcement soon—her fans (me included) are starving for some live Ari magic.

Few films capture the allure of the ocean like 'Le Grand Bleu' does, and its stunning locations play a huge part in that. Most of the filming took place in Greece, particularly around the islands of Amorgos and Santorini—those cliffs and deep blue waters are unforgettable. They also shot scenes in Peru, Italy, and France, with the French Riviera adding that extra layer of Mediterranean charm. The contrast between the rugged Greek landscapes and the sleek Riviera vibes gives the film this dreamy, almost mythical quality. Every time I rewatch it, I end up googling travel packages to Amorgos—those shots of the divers plunging into the abyss are pure wanderlust fuel. Luc Besson really knew what he was doing with those locations. The underwater sequences, especially around the Greek islands, feel like another world entirely. It’s no surprise the film became a cult favorite among divers and travel buffs alike. The way the light filters through the water in those scenes is almost hypnotic. Makes me wish I could teleport straight to those coves.

Walking through Culross one rainy afternoon made me feel like I was inside a scene from 'Outlander' — and yes, you can visit many of the towns and locations where the show filmed. There are loads of options depending on how much time you have and how hands-on you want to be. Guided day tours leave from Edinburgh and Glasgow and often cram in stops like Doune Castle (the unforgettable Castle Leoch), the postcard-perfect village of Culross, Falkland, and Midhope Castle (the farmhouse used for Lallybroch). Those organized trips are great if you want context, story tidbits, and transport sorted; the guides love to point out exactly where scenes were shot and drop little behind-the-scenes anecdotes that make the places pop. If you prefer to go at your own pace, self-drive works brilliantly too. Scotland’s roads and signage make it pretty easy to stitch together a personalized trail — you can combine filming sites with whisky distilleries, scenic drives through the Highlands, or other historic attractions. Keep in mind a couple of practical things: some locations are on private land or have limited access (Midhope can sometimes only be viewed from the lane, for example), and castles or houses might be closed on certain days or seasons. Doune Castle, however, generally welcomes visitors and has exhibits and staff who can chat about filming, so it’s a reliable stop. A couple of extra tips from my own trips: book tours or tickets in high season, be prepared for changeable weather and muddy paths, and bring a camera and sturdy shoes. If you want something extra-special, there are multi-day fan tours that weave in local food, history, and even whisky tastings along with the filming spots. Whether you go guided or on your own, standing where Claire and Jamie walked is oddly emotional — seeing the landscape makes the stories feel so much closer, and I always come away buzzing with new little details I’d missed on screen.

The Continental, that stylish assassin-filled hotel from the 'John Wick' series, was primarily filmed in New York City, but it's way more interesting than just a location tag. The exterior shots of the iconic hotel facade were captured at the historic Beaver Building in Manhattan's Financial District—that gothic revival architecture screams 'mysterious underworld vibes.' For interiors, they used studios like Brooklyn’s Steiner Studios, where they built lavish sets dripping with gold trim and blood-red carpets. Fun detail: some scenes were also shot in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, especially for 'Chapter 2,' where the Italian branch of the Continental got its own grandeur. What’s wild is how the films blend real NYC landmarks with this fictional underworld. The Bowery’s neon-lit streets and secret tunnels? All real places dressed up with cinematic paranoia. The production team even transformed an old church in Brooklyn into a fight scene setpiece. It’s not just about filming spots; it’s about how they warp reality into Wick’s universe. Makes me wanna book a trip to NYC just to stalk these locations—though maybe without the gunfights.

This place always felt like a character to me, and no wonder — most of 'Hotel Queens' was filmed in a mix of a real historic hotel and studio stages that give it that uncanny, lived-in glamour. The exterior shots and a lot of the on-location scenes were captured at the Grand Monarch Hotel in Bath, a late-Victorian building with carved stone, sweeping staircases, and a lobby that practically begs for close-ups. The production then moved indoors to a studio complex — Pinewood handled many of the tight, drama-heavy interior scenes where they needed full control over lighting and camera rigs. If you want to visit, yes, there are options. The Grand Monarch runs an official 'Hotel Queens' tour most weekends during peak season; it’s about 90 minutes long and covers filming spots, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and a peek at the suite used as the show’s protagonist’s room. Pinewood’s public studio tours are more limited — they occasionally offer themed set tours or special-event open days where fans can see reconstructed rooms and prop displays. When there isn’t an official studio tour, local fan groups sometimes organize guided walks that point out exterior locations, nearby cafes featured in the show, and photo-op spots. Practical tips from me: book the hotel tour early because it fills up on sunny days, try to sneak a tea in the lobby afterward (it really sells the vibe), and check the production company’s social channels for special studio days. I loved hearing the little stories the tour guides told — made the show feel even richer.

The 'Downton Abbey' film was such a visual treat, and a big part of that came from its gorgeous filming locations! Most of it was shot at Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England—the same stately home used for the TV series. The place just oozes aristocratic charm, with its sprawling lawns and grand interiors. Filming also took place at other historic UK spots like Lacock Village in Wiltshire (doubling as 1927 Yorkshire) and Harewood House in West Yorkshire for some ballroom scenes. Fun tidbit: the production team even built a full-scale replica of Downton’s servant quarters at Ealing Studios because Highclere’s basement wasn’t suitable for filming. It’s wild how much effort went into making everything feel seamless! If you’re a location geek like me, visiting these spots feels like stepping into the show—minus the corsets and drama, thankfully.

Oh, this is such a fun topic — the show really turns Britain into a character of its own. Most of the scenes that show off 'the ton' — the balls, promenades, and society gossip — were shot across a handful of famous English locations and grand houses that period-drama fans adore. If you want concrete spots: Bath is a big one. The Royal Crescent and the Assembly Rooms (the real-life social hub of Georgian Bath) were used for many exterior and ball sequences, so when you watch those glittering dances you’re basically looking at Bath’s historic streets and rooms. Wiltshire’s Wilton House also crops up a lot; its interiors and gardens have that sweeping, aristocratic feel the show leans on. Other country houses and parks like Basildon Park and Wrotham Park are regularly used for estate exteriors and carriage approaches. London interiors and stately-room scenes often come from Lancaster House and various townhouse facades around central London, plus some sets were built or augmented in studios like Shepperton. I went on a little tour once and the thing that stuck with me was how easily a doorway or staircase can become an entire social world on screen — a curtsey here, a camera angle there, and suddenly it’s the center of 'the ton'. If you plan a visit to any of these spots, check opening times and special filming tours — they’re often the best way to spot recognizable corners and imagine the choreographed chaos of those balls.

If you’re planning a pilgrimage inspired by 'Where is Outlander Filmed' tours, Doune Castle jumps straight to the top of my list — it’s practically the show’s celebrity. This craggy Norman keep doubled as Castle Leoch in season one and walking through its halls feels like stepping into Claire’s world. The place is compact enough to explore in an hour yet rich in atmospheres: battlements with great views, a tiny gift shop, and those stone rooms where you can almost hear the dialogue. I love that many tours use Doune as the opening stop because it immediately sets the tone and is easy to reach from Stirling or Glasgow. Midhope Castle, better known to fans as Lallybroch, is a different vibe — quieter, rural, and hauntingly lovely. It’s a ruin, so you won’t get full interiors, but the exterior shots are exactly what you’ve seen on screen: the farmhouse silhouette, the lawns, the feeling of ancestral homecoming. Tours that include Midhope often pair it with nearby landscapes and small towns, so you get the pastoral contrast to Doune’s fortress energy. I always make sure my camera battery is charged before hitting these two, because the photo ops are relentless. For a little extra, some full-day 'Where is Outlander Filmed' excursions add Blackness Castle and Hopetoun House, giving you a mix of fortress, manor, and ruin — all essential castle types that made the series look so cinematic. Visiting these sites leaves me smiling and a bit wistful, like I’ve borrowed a small piece of the story for myself.

I remember being absolutely mesmerized by the landscapes in 'A Very Long Engagement'. The film was shot in some stunning locations across France. Most of the wartime scenes were filmed in the hauntingly beautiful countryside of Picardy, particularly around the Somme River, where the actual battles took place. The production team also used the historic Fort de Douaumont near Verdun for some intense trench warfare sequences. Paris makes several appearances too, with iconic spots like the Pont des Arts and the Luxembourg Gardens doubling as post-war settings. What really stuck with me was how they transformed these real places into a cinematic time machine.