Let’s talk about Transatlantic and Marseille, two Netflix shows that showcase the wonderful port city of Marseille.
Released on the streaming service in 2023, Transatlantic is a historical drama set in Marseille circa 1940. It may be the latest show to feature the French city, but a quick search for Marseille on Netflix will pull up an unrelated yet equally entertaining drama called Marseille.
If ever you need inspiration to visit France, Transatlantic and Marseille’s filming locations will do the trick.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Iryna Kostenko. Image Location: Old Town and Fort Saint-Nicolas, Marseille, France
Transatlantic Marseille filming locations
Starring Gillian Jacobs, Lucas Englander, Corey Michael Smith, and Corey Stoll, Transatlantic is set during World War II in Marseille. An American journalist helps artists and writers who are at risk of losing their lives find safe passage from France to the United States.
Is Transatlantic on Netflix a true story?
Transatlantic is indeed a true story: it tells the lesser known tale of an American journalist, an American heiress, and two Jewish refugee resistance fighters who made it their mission to save renowned European creatives who were hiding from the Nazis in Marseille. The screenplay was based on the historical novel The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer.
Where was Transatlantic shot?
For Transatlantic, the production crew kept the setting as real as possible for the Netflix series. Most of the filming not only took place in Marseille, but in many of the actual locations from the real-life events.
Fort Saint-Nicolas was used, as well as the original location of the Hôtel Splendide, which is now the site of a teaching library. Outside of Marseille, production also filmed at the real Camp des Milles internment camp in nearby Aix-en-Provence.
As for Villa Air-Bel, the original no longer stands so production crews sourced another villa close to the original’s site. Those who’ve been to Marseille before will also recognize landmarks like the Old Port and the Abbey of Saint-Victor.
Image Credit: Anika Molnar/Netflix © 2023. Image Location: Fort Saint-Nicolas, Marseille, France
Marseille: home to movies and more
Transatlantic is not the only content streaming on Netflix with Marseille in center focus. Have a quick binge of the political drama, Marseille, on Netflix, too.
What is Marseille on Netflix about?
Longtime Marseille Mayor Robert Taro (Gérard Depardieu) and his former protégé Lucas Barrès (Benoît Magimel) are at odds in this French drama full of revenge, seduction, and corruption.
Is Marseille Netflix a true story?
No, Netflix’s Marseille is not a true story. This two-season series is a fictional tale not based on true events.
What are the filming locations for Marseille?
Marseille was filmed in Marseille, to no one’s surprise. The city is effectively a supporting character with Marseille bringing a bit of grit and a layer of crime grime to this gorgeous, historic port city.
Image Credit: Getty Images, font83. Image Location: Old Port, Marseille, France
What Netflix movie is set in Marseille?
If you like Marseille, stick to streaming on Netflix and check out The Stronghold, a true story about three Marseille police officers attempting to bust up a major drug ring, and Rogue City, a Marseille cop takes matters into his own hands when caught between warring gangs and a corrupt police force.
What other films are set in Marseille?
Here’s a list of films filmed in Marseille:
🎬 The French Connection
🎬 Love, Actually (the airport scenes)
🎬 The Transporter & The Transporter 3
🎬 Stillwater
🎬 Count of Monte Cristo
🎬 The Nun 2
🎬 The Bourne Identity
There are also fantastic series set in Marseille, like Netflix’s Blood Coast, that show the city from dozens of perspectives—many of the very same perspectives you can see outside of a train window.
Image Credit: David Koskas/Netflix. Image Location: Marseille, France
How to visit Marseille by train
Planning your own transatlantic journey to the Transatlantic and Marseille filming locations?
🚆 Timetables to Marseille St-Charles 🚆
🇫🇷 Lyon Part-Dieu: 1h 48m
🇫🇷 Nice Ville: 2h 30m
🇫🇷 Paris CDG Airport: 3h 55m
🇨🇭 Genève (Switzerland): 4h 11m
🇬🇧 London (England): 6h 43m
Yes, you can even visit the Côte Bleue from the UK by train on the Trainline app. Make the most of the smooth ride and free Wifi by streaming these other movies and shows with filming locations across Europe:
📺 Lupin
📺 Citadel
📺 Poldark
🎬 Napoleon
Header Image Credit: Anika Molnar/Netflix © 2023
