It’s a shameless fantasy, from teetering high heels on cobblestones to pristine, litter-free streets and a suspiciously blue River Seine, devoid of homelessness or dog poo. The main character, disconnected from reality, has been dubbed “the overdressed American” by French media.
Yet, despite the clichés of a Chicago marketing exec clashing with French culture, Emily in Paris has drawn hordes of tourists to France, boosted local trade, and sparked increased interest in real estate in the capital. Now, as the show prepares to move to Rome for season 5, its departure has become a political issue, with French President Emmanuel Macron vowing to fight to keep it in Paris.
“We will fight hard,” Macron told Variety. “We’ll ask them to stay in Paris! Emily in Paris in Rome doesn’t make sense.”
Macron’s wife, Brigitte, a 71-year-old former teacher, even makes a cameo in the fourth season, casually bumping into Emily in a restaurant and mentioning she follows her on Instagram. Brigitte was previously referenced in season one when Emily lamented the masculine form of the French word for vagina. Cast members noted how eager she was to join in, improvising and wearing her own clothes for the scene.
Macron expressed his delight over his wife’s cameo: “I was super proud, and she was very happy to do it. It’s just a few minutes, but I think it was a great moment for her.”
The president added that the show is positive for France’s image, calling it “a great initiative” for attracting visitors. When asked if he’d make a cameo himself, Macron quipped, “I’m less attractive than Brigitte!”
Season 4 of Emily in Paris, now streaming, takes the protagonist to Rome, where she explores new career and romantic opportunities. While season 5 will split its time between Paris and Rome, creator Darren Star stated the move was to challenge Emily, as she had become “too comfortable in Paris.”
Although French critics have blasted the show for its overly glamorous portrayal of Paris, its popularity remains strong. Premiering during the pandemic in 2020, it quickly became Netflix’s most-watched comedy that year and consistently ranks in its top 10.
Despite the critiques, with some calling it “saccharine and full of stereotypes,” French magazine Télérama admitted it’s hard to “totally hate it.”
A study by France’s National Centre for Cinema and Animation (CNC) this year found that 38% of tourists cited Emily in Paris as a reason for visiting the city. The Paris tourist office now lists key filming locations for visitors, while real estate inquiries have surged thanks to the show.
However, not everyone in Paris is thrilled. City hall, particularly Green politicians like Deputy Mayor David Belliard, criticized the series for presenting an idealized vision of Paris that ignores the climate crisis, lacks green transport options, and romanticizes poorly insulated historic apartments.
