The novel titled The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer is the basis for this gripping Netflix period drama. The true story of the Emergency Rescue Committee has been turned into a series titled Transatlantic, created by Anna Winger and Daniel Hendler.
The show is set in 1940, during World War 2 and the Nazi occupation of Europe. It follows a journalist named Varian Fry who travels to France with the Emergency Rescue Committee as they hope to rescue artists and writers from the Nazis and immigrate them to America.
This leads to Varian choosing to stay in France, determined to help as many people as possible by providing the persecuted masses with false documents, raising money, and arranging journeys across Spain and Portugal to provide safe passage and sanctuary for all the refugees.
The European setting has led viewers to wonder where the show was filmed, and this well-documented article will answer the question of where Transatlantic was filmed.
Where was Transatlantic on Netflix filmed – a breakdown of filming locations
Marseille, France
Let’s face it, if you are going to produce this kind of show, you need to think long and hard about the authenticity of the sets, so thankfully, the production team managed to secure filming rights in Marseilles, where the show is set.
The filming would take place mainly in Marseille, the capital of France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The cinematography is fantastic, ensuring plenty of great location work has a lot of screen time.
In April 2023, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, co-creator Anna Winger was asked about the locations used. Anna would confirm, “Everything in Marseille. The hotel in the film is the real hotel. It’s now an administrative office. We shot at the real internment camp. The prison is the real one where they kept the inmates.”
The Porte d’Aix
The iconic Arc de Triomphe is seen in various shots during the show. The landmark in Southern France marks the old entry point to the city and is based on Roman architecture. It was initially conceived in 1784 to honor Louis the XV1.
La Vieille Charité
Another noticeable landmark spotted in the show is the La Vieille Charité. This former almshouse is now a cultural center and museum situated in the heart of the old Panier quarter of Marseille in the south of France.
The Abbey of Saint-Victor
Another landmark for you eagle-eyed location hunters out there that we spotted was The Abbey of Saint-Victor. This former Abbey was founded in southern France during the late Roman period and was named after Victor of Marseille, a local soldier saint, and martyr.
Love seeing the book come alive in such a dramatic way. The Netflix series does move at a quicker pace as some characters have been omitted for the sake of simplicity and tension. I’m listening to your interview on Capetalk, Cape Town. Loved Unortodox as well.