Place de l'Estrapade

Here we are on the most iconic square from the TV show. If you’re a real fan, you’ve probably already recognised the location behind you as n°1 Place de l'Estrapade, the home of Emily Cooper, the Chicagoan working in France. We’re in the heart of the 5th arrondissement of Paris, right next to the Panthéon. We discover this building for the first time right at the beginning of the series, as Emily arrives in her new apartment. As expected, on the 5th floor with no lift, like many other Parisians have to deal with. It’s at this moment we first notice the major cultural differences between the Americans, who say that the first floor starts from the entry, and the French who, on the contrary, think that when you enter a building, you arrive onto the ground floor. So, as you’ve probably guessed, Emily didn’t know that she had to climb up an additional floor to get to her apartment! This will cost her a few mishaps during the first week, as she tries to enter the apartment on the 4th floor. Yet, these mistakes lead to her meeting its resident, her neighbour Gabriel. It’s also on this square that she’ll meet Camille, who she will become friends with, without knowing that she’s the charming chef’s girlfriend! No need to tell you what happens next! However, Place de l’Estrapade has known a much more darker history than the love triangle between Emily, Gabriel and Camille. If you’re wondering what “estrapade” means, it originates from the Strappado, a form of torture inflicted onto deserters a few centuries ago. Our characters live in Maison Moreau, built in 1776 by François Soufflot. If his name rings a bell, that’s because he’s the cousin of Jacques-Germain Soufflot, the architect who designed the Panthéon. Come on! There’s still so much to see on this visit.