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| Where Was Paris Is Always a Good Idea Filmed? Every Beautiful 2026 Hallmark Filming Location. (Credits: Hallmark) |
The beautiful scenery in Hallmark's Paris Is Always a Good Idea quickly became one of the biggest talking points alongside its slow-burn romance and charming performances. While Lacey Chabert and Scott Michael Foster brought plenty of chemistry to the screen, the real co-star might just have been Europe itself. From postcard-worthy streets in Paris to dramatic coastlines in northern Spain, nearly every episode gave viewers another destination to add to their ever-growing travel wishlist. Not every filming location was publicly revealed while production was underway, however, as keeping certain sets private helped avoid unwanted interruptions from enthusiastic fans and allowed the cast and crew to work smoothly.
The six-episode romantic drama follows Chelsea Martin, a successful nonprofit executive who feels her life has lost direction. Inspired by a message left by her late mother, she embarks on a journey across Europe to reconnect with three former loves.
What begins as a search for closure gradually turns into something much more meaningful when her workplace rival Jason Knightly unexpectedly becomes her travelling companion. Along the way, breathtaking landscapes become more than just attractive backgrounds—they mirror Chelsea's own journey of rediscovering herself.
Production took place over roughly three months in early 2026, with the cast filming all six episodes in one continuous schedule rather than episode by episode. That meant scenes were often shot completely out of story order.
One day might involve a heartfelt farewell, while the next could jump back to the beginning of Chelsea's adventure. The unpredictable European weather also kept everyone guessing, with a surprise snowstorm arriving during filming near the Eiffel Tower. Romantic? Absolutely. Warm? Not even slightly.
Fans have reacted warmly to the series, although opinions differ on what stood out the most. Some viewers believe the romance between Chelsea and Jason is the heart of the story, while others argue the European scenery nearly steals every scene.
Social media has been filled with people trying to identify filming spots, planning future holidays and joking that the travel budget for this series deserved its own starring credit. Others were surprised to discover that some locations appearing as Ireland were actually filmed elsewhere. Television magic remains undefeated.
Paris Is Always A Good Idea Filming Locations
Paris, France – The Centrepiece of Chelsea's Journey
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Much of the series naturally unfolds in Paris, where Chelsea's work assignment begins before her personal adventure truly takes shape. The production embraced authentic city landmarks instead of relying heavily on studio recreations, giving every scene an unmistakably Parisian atmosphere.
Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre provides many of the sweeping establishing shots overlooking the Eiffel Tower. The elevated square is famous for offering one of the city's finest panoramic views, making it an obvious choice whenever the series wanted to remind viewers exactly where Chelsea's journey had brought her. It is one of the busiest sightseeing locations in Paris, yet somehow still manages to look effortlessly elegant.
The iconic Eiffel Tower itself appears throughout several outdoor scenes rather than simply being shown in the distance. Cast members reportedly faced freezing rain and even an unexpected late-winter snowstorm while filming around the landmark. The final result certainly looks romantic on screen, although standing outside for hours in icy weather probably felt slightly less cinematic.
Pont Louis-Philippe also features prominently during several evening sequences. Stretching across the River Seine near Notre-Dame Cathedral, this historic stone bridge offers a quieter, more intimate atmosphere compared with Paris' busier tourist hotspots. Soft lighting reflecting on the water helped create many of the series' most emotional conversations.
Walking scenes featuring Chelsea and Jason were filmed along Avenue Foch, one of Paris' grandest boulevards. With the Arc de Triomphe visible in the background, the location adds an unmistakable touch of classic Parisian elegance. Even a simple conversation somehow feels expensive when that skyline appears behind you.
Another memorable location is Passage Vérité, leading towards Place de Valois. The charming pedestrian passage showcases traditional Parisian architecture, narrow streets and historic character that perfectly complement the show's romantic atmosphere. Sometimes the smaller streets tell a better story than the famous landmarks.
San Sebastián, Spain – Coastal Beauty with Endless Charm
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Although the story travels across multiple countries, northern Spain became one of production's biggest filming bases. San Sebastián appears repeatedly thanks to its spectacular coastline, colourful old streets and elegant Belle Époque architecture.
The production filmed around the city's Old Town, where narrow streets, lively cafés and centuries-old buildings create an authentic European backdrop. These scenes capture Chelsea's growing confidence as her journey becomes less about finding old relationships and more about discovering herself.
The famous La Concha Beach also appears throughout several episodes. Widely regarded as one of Europe's most beautiful urban beaches, its sweeping bay and golden sand provide a refreshing contrast to the busy streets of Paris. Honestly, even viewers trying to focus on the dialogue probably found themselves wondering about booking flights instead.
Getaria, Spain – Small Village, Big Character
The picturesque fishing village of Getaria offers a completely different atmosphere from bustling Paris. Located along Spain's Basque coastline, its narrow lanes, colourful houses and working harbour create an authentic seaside setting that feels untouched by time.
Its relaxed pace perfectly suits Chelsea's quieter moments of reflection. Rather than overwhelming audiences with famous landmarks, Getaria delivers simple European charm that quietly becomes unforgettable.
Bilbao Countryside, Spain – Castles and Rolling Landscapes
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Production also moved into the rural countryside surrounding Bilbao, where green landscapes and historic architecture offered another visual layer to Chelsea's journey.
One real medieval castle located outside Bilbao became one of the series' most striking settings. Without revealing too much about its role in the story, the impressive fortress adds history and grandeur while highlighting another side of northern Spain that many international viewers may never have seen before.
The surrounding countryside also provides peaceful farmland, winding roads and dramatic hills that help slow the pace after the busier city sequences. Sometimes all a romantic drama needs is two people, beautiful scenery and absolutely no mobile phone signal to force an actual conversation.
Northern Spain Doubles as Ireland
One of the more surprising production choices involves Ireland. While Chelsea's journey includes travelling to meet a former love in the Irish countryside, filming never actually took place there.
Instead, the production cleverly transformed the rolling green landscapes of northern Spain's Basque region into convincing Irish farmland. The area's lush hills, quiet rural roads and open fields closely resemble parts of western Ireland, allowing the creative team to maintain visual continuity while simplifying production logistics. Movie magic occasionally saves both time and travel budgets, and if viewers never noticed the difference, the illusion clearly worked.
The decision to film largely across France and Spain also allowed the production to capture diverse scenery without constantly relocating across multiple countries. From famous landmarks to hidden villages, every destination helps shape Chelsea's emotional journey just as much as the characters she meets along the way.
It is also worth remembering that not every filming location was publicly disclosed while cameras were rolling. Productions often keep certain sets and schedules private to protect both cast and crew from unexpected disruptions, particularly at busy tourist destinations. As more verified information becomes available after release, additional locations may eventually be confirmed.
Paris Is Always a Good Idea succeeds because it treats Europe as more than a beautiful backdrop. Every bridge, beach, castle and cobbled street reflects Chelsea's changing outlook, turning an already engaging romance into an unforgettable travel adventure. If more official filming locations are confirmed in the future, we will continue updating this guide with the latest verified information.
So, which destination caught your eye the most? Would you stroll across Pont Louis-Philippe, relax on La Concha Beach, explore the medieval castle outside Bilbao, or recreate your favourite moments beneath the Eiffel Tower?