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| Where Was Summer ’36 Filmed? Every Stunning French Location Behind Netflix’s 2026 Mystery Series. (Image via: Netflix) |
Netflix's Summer ’36 has left viewers talking about more than its gripping mystery and emotional performances. The elegant streets, glamorous hotels and breathtaking Mediterranean scenery quickly became stars in their own right, leaving many fans asking exactly where the series was filmed. While the production deliberately kept several filming details under wraps during shooting to avoid unwanted interruptions from overenthusiastic visitors, enough locations have now emerged to help fans retrace the drama's footsteps across France.
Created by Marie Deshaires and Catherine Touzet, Summer ’36 transports audiences to the French Riviera in 1936. The historical crime drama follows four working-class women enjoying their first paid holiday, only to find themselves caught up in the murder of a prosecutor staying at the luxurious Riviera Hotel.
Between glamorous beaches, elegant boulevards and mysterious hotel corridors, the series combines classic French charm with an old-fashioned whodunnit that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.
Filming took place entirely in France, with production mainly based across Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Paris. Principal photography reportedly began around late March or early April 2025 before wrapping in July after roughly four months of filming.
Around 1,700 extras helped recreate the atmosphere of the 1930s, with the production working from an estimated budget of €17 million. Some filming locations remained undisclosed during production to prevent curious fans from accidentally turning a film set into an unexpected tourist attraction before the cameras had even stopped rolling.
Here are the filming locations featured in Summer ’36, along with what makes each destination worth visiting.
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
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The beautiful city of Nice serves as the heart of the series. Much of the historic centre was transformed into a convincing version of the French Riviera during the 1930s, with vintage vehicles, period costumes and carefully restored streets helping to recreate the era.
Walking through Nice today, visitors can still recognise several familiar streets that appeared throughout the drama, making it an easy starting point for fans hoping to relive memorable scenes.
Masséna High School
One of the production's clever transformations took place at Masséna High School, where the historic building doubled as the glamorous Jetée-Promenade Arena.
Although students probably enjoyed a much quieter atmosphere once filming wrapped, the location demonstrates just how creatively the production team adapted real architecture to recreate a lost piece of Riviera history.
Castle Hill Park (Colline du Château)
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Several important scenes were filmed at Castle Hill Park, offering sweeping panoramic views across Nice and the Mediterranean coastline.
Originally built as a military citadel before becoming one of the city's most visited parks, the location provides some of the most picturesque shots in the series. If the scenery looks almost too perfect on screen, that's because real life was already doing most of the hard work.
Hotel Negresco
The iconic Hotel Negresco provided the setting for many of the series' stylish bar sequences. Sitting proudly along the famous Promenade des Anglais, the historic luxury hotel has welcomed celebrities, artists and royalty for decades.
Its grand interiors fit perfectly with the sophisticated atmosphere surrounding the mysterious Riviera Hotel featured throughout the story.
Grasse
The charming town of Grasse, often celebrated as the world's perfume capital, also appears during the series. Its narrow streets, historic buildings and elegant Provençal character add another authentic layer to the production.
Beyond its role in the drama, visitors can explore famous perfume houses and museums that have made Grasse internationally renowned.
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Cannes
Better known today for its world-famous film festival, Cannes also became one of the filming locations for Summer ’36.
The city's glamorous waterfront, elegant architecture and timeless Riviera atmosphere naturally complement the show's luxurious setting, proving it can host mysteries just as comfortably as red carpets.
Sospel
The picturesque commune of Sospel offered the production another slice of authentic southern France.
Surrounded by hills and filled with historic stone buildings, the town provided quieter backdrops that contrast with the glamour of the Riviera while preserving the period atmosphere needed for several key scenes.
Promenade des Anglais
Beyond the famous hotel, Promenade des Anglais itself also features prominently throughout the series. The iconic seafront boulevard captures the elegance and relaxed lifestyle associated with the French Riviera.
Whether characters are walking along the coastline or dramatic conversations unfold beside the sea, the location quietly steals plenty of scenes without ever saying a single line.
Paris
While much of the outdoor action unfolded in southern France, Paris played an equally important role behind the scenes. Studio facilities outside the capital recreated the lavish interiors of the fictional Riviera Hotel, including corridors, guest rooms and service areas where much of the investigation unfolds.
Actress Nolwenn Leroy, who plays the hotel's housekeeper, revealed that extensive attention was given to every detail, allowing the interiors to feel just as convincing as the real Riviera locations.
Fans have reacted warmly to the locations, with many admitting they paused episodes simply to admire the scenery before remembering someone had just been murdered. Others have already started adding Nice, Cannes and Grasse to future travel wish lists, proving that a good mystery apparently comes with free holiday inspiration.
Social media has also been filled with viewers sharing screenshots while trying to identify landmarks featured throughout the series, with many praising the production's authentic recreation of 1930s France.
If you're planning a French getaway, many of these filming locations welcome both local and international visitors, making it possible to experience the same elegant streets, historic landmarks and Mediterranean views seen throughout Summer ’36. Just remember to admire the scenery rather than trying to solve imaginary murders.
As more verified filming locations become publicly available after production, we'll continue updating this guide with the latest discoveries. Which Summer ’36 location would you visit first? Have you already spotted a place we haven't mentioned?