The Intriguing Filming Locations of The Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon: Unveiling the French Connection
Discover the captivating filming locations of Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon From the enchanting French countryside to iconic landmarks like the Louvre, Catacombs of Paris, Panthéon, Abbaye De Montmajour, Pont Du Gard, and Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France Immerse yourself in the world of the beloved character
Summary
"The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon" is a spinoff set in France, following Daryl's journey to discover how he got there and his purpose in the country.
The cast and crew of the show journeyed to France for on-site filming, highlighting the stunning countryside and renowned landmarks such as the Louvre and the Catacombs. Additionally, the Panthéon, Abbaye De Montmajour, Pont Du Gard Aqueduct, and Mont-Saint-Michel were also chosen as filming locations to enrich the show's overall ambiance and setting.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is a spinoff of the original series, focusing on the character Daryl Dixon, portrayed by Norman Reedus. Unlike the first series, this spinoff takes place in France. Premiering on September 10, 2023, the show continues Daryl's story from the finale of The Walking Dead, as he arrives in France, where the zombie virus originated. The six episodes follow Daryl's journey to uncover the truth about his presence in France and his purpose there.
Joining Reedus in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon are Clémence Poésy as Isabelle, Louis Puech Scigliuzzi as Laurent, Laïka Blanc-Francard as Sylvie, Anne Charrier as Genet, Romain Levi as Codron, Adam Nagaitis as Quinn, Eriq Ebouaney as Fallou, and Paloma as Coco. Additionally, Melissa McBride will reprise her role as Carol Peletier from The Walking Dead in this spinoff. To capture the setting authentically, the cast and crew filmed all six episodes in Europe.
French Countryside
In later episodes of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Daryl finds himself in Paris. However, before reaching the city, he washes ashore in France near Marseilles, feeling even more bewildered about his journey from America to Europe by boat. He then embarks on a trek through the picturesque French countryside, contemplating how he can return home. Along the way, Daryl encounters different types of zombies, allies, enemies, and more. The production team takes full advantage of France's stunning and expansive countryside as they film these scenes. While the specific towns Daryl visits during his journey from the south to the north of France are undisclosed, the producers aim to showcase the diverse landscapes the country has to offer, resulting in awe-inspiring visuals. To capture the essence of a post-apocalyptic world infested by zombies, some CGI enhancements are employed, but the majority of the scenes featuring Daryl are filmed on location in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
The Louvre, Paris, France
In the spinoff series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon on AMC, Daryl and the other characters explore several famous landmarks in Paris, including the Louvre Museum. While these scenes have not been shown in the show yet, actor Norman Reedus shared details about the various filming locations in Paris for the spinoff. He revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike:
"The first episode sets the tone and location. The teasers of me in the countryside are a significant part of the first episode, where Daryl finds himself asking, 'Where am I?' and being amazed by his surroundings. He's unsure about his location and how things work there. Eventually, we witness the same scope in Paris. We get to see unique places for filming, such as the Catacombs, the Louvre, and many other locations. The grandeur of the French countryside transitions into different breathtaking backdrops."
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon trailer revealed Laurent gazing up at the Eiffel Tower as Daryl sailed down the Seine River, promising fans a backdrop of famous landmarks throughout the six episodes. Interestingly, the cast and crew managed to film some scenes within these iconic locations, such as the Louvre. It remains to be seen what will unfold within the walls of this renowned museum in the spinoff. Perhaps Daryl will be drawn to marvel at the Mona Lisa during his time in Paris (or more likely, an intense altercation or crucial meeting will take place within the Louvre).
Catacombs Of Paris, France
As mentioned by Norman Reedus in the quote from Entertainment Weekly, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon's cast and crew also ventured beneath the streets of Paris to film in the Catacombs. These underground ossuaries serve as the perfect setting for the post-apocalyptic series. The Catacombs house the skeletal remains of over six million individuals and span an area of approximately 11,000 square meters, lying 20 meters deep beneath the city's surface. Numerous film productions, including As Above, So Below, have utilized the Catacombs of Paris for filming, and now, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon can be added to the list. A fleeting glimpse of the Catacombs scene can be observed in the trailer.
Panthéon, Paris, France
In addition to the iconic landmarks of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Catacombs of Paris, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon production team also chose to film a scene at the Panthéon, as reported by The Cinemaholic. Like the other Parisian settings in the AMC television series, the outcome of Daryl's encounter at the Panthéon with other characters remains unknown. Given its status as a prominent tourist attraction in the European city, it comes as no surprise that the producers wanted to showcase this historical structure in the show.
The Panthéon, situated in the heart of the Latin Quarter atop the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève within the Place du Panthéon, is a monument constructed in the late 1700s. Initially intended as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, it later transitioned into a mausoleum honoring esteemed French citizens during the French Revolution.
Abbaye De Montmajour, Arles, France
In the first episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1, Daryl discovers an abbey that houses nuns from the Union of Hope, including a woman named Isabelle. The filming of these scenes took place at the Abbaye De Montmajour in Arles, France, located on Rte de Fontvieille. Seeking refuge in the abbey, Daryl encounters a young boy named Laurent, who is believed by the religious group to be the savior of the world.
Isabelle asks Daryl to act as a messenger and bring Laurent to the Union chapter in Paris, allowing the boy to fulfill his destiny. Initially hesitant, Daryl ultimately agrees to undertake this task after an attack on the abbey, seeking assistance in returning to America in return. Consequently, the Abbaye De Montmajour plays a significant role as a filming location in the premiere episode of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Pont Du Gard, Occitanie, France
Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
: The popular TV show The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon filmed several important scenes on the Pont du Gard Aqueduct in the region of Occitanie in France, according to The Cinemaholic. This ancient Roman aqueduct, built in the first century, is located near Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France. The Pont du Gard Aqueduct is a remarkable structure that has endured the test of time, making it easily recognizable in the AMC spinoff series. Viewers will be captivated by its impressive presence.
Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France served as one of the final filming locations for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Situated off the coast of northwest France, this distinct tidal island can be seen in the trailer for the series. However, due to the post-apocalyptic nature of the show, Mont-Saint-Michel appears more deserted and desolate.
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, The Cinemaholic
