a tour of the world travel destinations of Sofia Coppola’s films

Sofia Coppola has firmly established her talent for creating compelling and visually arresting films with The Beguiled, the latest addition to her resume.

Yet apart from the stunning visuals, compelling storylines and some of our favourite moments in film (see Lost in Translation), it’s hard to miss the influence of her family’s well-known love of food and wine in her body of work.

This passion for the finer things of life inspired me to plan a round-the-world journey through her films.

Here are my top five travel destinations through the films of Sofia Coppola.

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette and husband Louis XVI lived in Versailles in lavish luxury much to the chagrin of the populace. We all know how they met their end and her reputation for suggesting cake as an entrée, but Coppola’s beautiful and humanising portrayal of this above-them-all character was surprising and hunger-inducing.

Marche Notre Dame (Notre Dame Food Market) is the indoor-outdoor answer to practically any foodie desire you have from produce to artisanal cheeses to candy to meats and warm foods. Stop in to fill your nostrils with the aromas, your basket with goodies for a peasant picnic and your belly with tasty treats.

La Maison La Varenne is just the sweet shop you can imagine would have catered to Marie Antoinette’s boudoir. Filled to the brim with gorgeous and delicious macarons, biscuits and chocolates, indulgence is the order of the day.

Gordon Ramsay au Trianon is the luxurious ending to a gilded day in Versailles. Mssr. Ramsay’s restaurant at the Waldorf Hotel Trianon Palace Versailles offers elegant 2-star Michelin French dining and the option to sleep like a royal after your sumptuous meal.

Lost in Translation

The romance that introduced us to both a subtle and chill Bill Murray and the lovely Scarlett Johansson was filmed in two neighbourhoods in Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya, two of the city’s major entertainment districts.

Park Hyatt Hotel New York Bar is perhaps the most famous setting from Lost in Translation where Bill as Bob spends most of his nights. Not the most central or cheapest place in town to throw a few back, but the piano bar has been known to draw more than a few famous faces (Lady Gaga among them) for a sing-along.

Fuunji, a 5-10 minute walk from the Shinjuku station, offers something perfect for seasoned ramen eaters seeking deliciousness while temps are still high: tsukemen. Served with cold noodles and broth separate, it offers double the slurping opportunity. Make sure to order from the vending machine up front to get faster service once you get through the lengthy line.

Shinjuku Takashimaya depachika, familiar with the phenomenon of a huge food hall in the lowest level of a large, central department store? This one boasts the Kit Kat store, where you’ll find a dizzying variety of the candy in flavours like blueberry, passion fruit and butter plus Michelin star restaurants, eat-in counters, bakeries and a well-stocked market.

Somewhere

Los Angeles was a mythic film figure long before Coppola filmed her verrrrry Hollywood 2010 celebrity mess dad/kid coming of age movie here (and in other mainly hotel destinations). So when it comes to LA, go full Hollywood, we say.

Chateau Marmont, the famed Sunset Boulevard hotel, invites you to revel in a little LA lifestyle (Coppola also celebrated her 21st birthday here). Memorialised in word, film and song, the Chateau and Bar Marmont let you live like a star, even if it’s just for a night or two.

Norah, light, bubbly luxe and stylish, is one of the ultimate West Hollywood restaurants to enjoy California cuisine. Feast on seafood, vegetarian and vegan fare as well as some tasty adult beverages from the gorgeous marble bar.

Griffith Observatory is an LA location you’ll recognise from films like Rebel Without a Cause to La La Land, but it also offers breathtaking views of the universe, the city and a way to get that much closer to the famed Hollywood sign. Find your West Coast Zen and absorb the good vibes.

The Virgin Suicides

While somber subject matter, Coppola’s debut film truly paid homage to the 1970s and teenage-hood. Detroit is having a cool-factor renaissance so now is a great time to visit the city and discover what middle America has always known: the Motor City has a lot to offer when it comes to food and fun.

The Eastern Market is open Tuesdays and weekends and offers a host of tours if you want to do more than wander and savour the market stalls. Around since 1891, this is a must-stop to get a real feel for the town and sit down to lunch or pick up picnic fixings.

The Dequindre Cut is a 2-mile extension of the 26-mile Inner Circle Greenway carrying you from the Market to the Riverfront. This part of the path used to the be the old Grand Railroad Line and through the conversion the colourful graffiti was left in place as gritty art to admire as you walk or bike by.

American Coney Island opens the “who has the best hot dogs in Detroit” debate, but since they are celebrating 100 years in 2017, we’ll give it to them (this time). Order your dog with beef chilli sauce, mustard and raw onions to get a real Detroit-style Coney dog.

The Beguiled

Set in Civil War-era Virginia, Coppola filmed The Beguiled in Napoleonville, Louisiana and it’s here we end our journey. Located about 75 miles from New Orleans, Napoleonville drips with history and Southern small-town hospitality like Spanish moss from an old oak.

Madewood Plantation House, the Greek Revival mansion turned bed and breakfast, will look very familiar to anyone who’s seen the film. Complete with 170 years of history, brandy in the parlour after dinner and brilliant owners, Madewood will immerse you in leisurely charm and offer a place to lay your head at night.

Stella’s Kitchen is a local favourite Cajun/creole place where you’ll come for the crawfish etouffee and classic po’ boy sandwiches and stay for their signature praline bread pudding topped with rum sauce.

Christ Episcopal Church and Cemetery, one of the oldest Episcopal churches west of the Mississippi River was built in 1854 and served as a community to non-French speakers in Napoleonville of that era. Rebuilt after extensive damage during the Civil War, Christ Church boasts Tiffany windows and offers tours by appointment.