10 Wes Anderson Filming Locations Every Fan Should Visit

Some might be here because they’re true fans of this master director while others might find themselves on this page thanks to the Accidentally Wes Anderson trend on TikTok not long ago. Whatever brings you here, we can all agree that this phenomenal American filmmaker has his way of sprinkling aesthetics in his movies through whimsical pastel frames and static shots with symmetrical precision. 

Read on as we unveil the Wes Anderson filming locations worth adding to your dream bucket list: from the stately mansion in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) to the otherworldly setting of Anderson’s latest Asteroid City (2023)!

Also read: 10 ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ Locations in Singapore for Your Next Shoot

Real-life Wes Anderson locations worldwide for film buffs

1. Conanicut Point Lighthouse, Rhode Island, United States – Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Nestled at the northernmost point of Jamestown is the Conanicut Point Lighthouse on Rhode Island, one of the most iconic Wes Anderson movie sets. This inactive lighthouse attached to a red keeper’s residence with a Gothic Revival exterior was used to film the 60s vibe, coming-of-age movie Moonrise Kingdom. 

The building, known as Summer’s End in the film, was Suzy Bishop’s family home. While you’re there, don’t miss out on the chance to recreate the scene where Sam and Suzy ran away to a secluded cove on a beach. And you can elope to the same beach hideout with your travel buddy near Fort Wetherill State Park!

2. Gorlitzer Warenhaus, Gorlitzer, Germany – The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Guess which Wes Anderson film made full use of Germany‘s Gorlitzer Warenhaus? That’s right: The Grand Budapest Hotel, a comedy-drama film starring Ralph Fiennes and F. Murray Abraham. The resplendent, famous European hotel was not a hotel after all; in fact, most of the hotel interior shots were taken inside this 20th-century department store. 

It’s hard to resist the building’s Art Nouveau style, making the perfect backdrop for the film’s setting. The maestro successfully transformed the already stunning medieval interior into an opulent hotel scene and the up in years store galleries into lavish rooms. The majestic staircases and chandeliers? Too spot on! You can find this building in Demian Platz in the German state of Saxony. 

3. Rajasthan on Wheels, Rajasthan, India – The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Any avid fan of Wes Anderson would dream of boarding The Darjeeling Limited. If you haven’t watched the film yet, the story depicts a tale of three bickering brothers heading out on a life-changing train journey across India after their father’s demise. 

Set in Rajasthan on Wheels in India, the luxury train has stopped operating since 2017. But don’t frown just yet, because you can still visit the grand setting via Palace on Wheels Tour Circuit! FYI, most of the scenes in this movie were filmed in Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur in Rajasthan. So, be sure to include these bustling cities in your Wes Anderson movie sets bucket list next time you fly to India.

4. Charles H. Tuttle Mansion, New York City, United States – The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

The Royal Tenenbaums is yet another brilliant Wes Anderson film of all time that touches on the perfect imperfection of a broken family. And this 8,000-square-foot mansion, used as the Tenenbaum family home, is one of the real-life Wes Anderson locations every fan should visit. The impressive building is actually Charles H. Tuttle Mansion at 339 Convent Avenue (or Archer Avenue in the movie) and can be found at the corner of 144th Street in Harlem.

The grand mansion becomes a significant setting where the three prodigious siblings, Chas, Margot, and Richie, unexpectedly reunite one winter. So, do take a few intentional Wes Anderson shots of you against this brick-red backdrop next time you wander around the lively streets of NYC!

Also read: 12 Coolest Airbnbs in New York City for Every Traveller

5. Angouleme, France – The French Dispatch (2021)

Angouleme, located in Southwestern France, is one of the breathtaking Wes Anderson movie sets fans hoped would have caught the maestro’s attention sooner. Only in 2021 did Anderson decide to include the beautiful town as the setting for one of his latest works — The French Dispatch. If you’ve watched this film, you’re either Anderson’s fan or Timothee Chalamet’s stan — there’s no in-between.

The master director used this town as the primary setting for a 1950s fictional French city in the movie. While you’re here, you might want to visit St. Pierre Cathedral, where the exterior of the French Dispatch office was built. Afterwards, bring yourself to the abandoned Cofpa felt factory in Gond-Pontouvre that makes up the interior of the newspaper house.

6. Pfunds Dairy, Dresden, Germany – The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Another stunning Grand Budapest Hotel location that you can visit in real life is Pfunds Molkerei in Dresden, Germany. At first glance, you might not immediately recall this used as a pastry shop setting in Anderson’s film. And we’ll tell you what’s missing: a stack of pink boxes over the counter! 

Yup, this eclectic dairy shop with hand-painted tiles was the interior of Mendl’s cake shop in the movie, featuring Saoirse Ronan as a talented patissier. What’s more, this well-known 19th-century creamery, founded by the Pfund brothers, is still operating today! 

Though the Courtesan au Chocolat is not sold here (in fact, not anywhere in this world) as it was solely created for the film, you can always opt for Pfund Molkerei’s freshly baked pastries and cakes to your heart’s content!

7. Chinchon, Spain – Asteroid City (2023)

The latest star-packed flick of our favourite director, Asteroid City, included the town of Chinchon, Spain, as its major filming location. And being chosen as one of Wes Anderson’s movie sets could only mean one thing: the place has a distinctive whimsical charm — a setting that captures a scene.  

FYI, the film was shot at the town’s central plaza lined with teal-themed symmetrical balconies that would scream oh-so-Anderson when looked straight from the front. To excite you even further, some of the big names that star in this film include Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, and Margot Robbie. So, do add this town famous for bullfighting to your list of real-life Wes Anderson locations to visit on your next trip to Reino de España!

Also read: Madrid or Barcelona: Which City in Spain Should You See First?

8. Quirinal Palace, Rome, Italy – The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

One of the worthy Wes Anderson movie sets to visit is none other than Quirinal Palace in Rome. This historical building in Italy is also one of three official residences of the Italian President. And in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, this impressive landmark was framed in the final scene of the movie. The shot features Bill Murray on the palace’s doorsteps whereby the audience could clearly see the full picture of Quirinal Palace’s back entrance. 

You wouldn’t believe how the master director found this place: he bumped into the palace by accident as he rode his bike through the city for some gelato. The real ‘accidentally Wes Anderson’ by the OG himself. So, don’t forget to add this charming palace to your must-visit Wes Anderson locations this instant!

Also read: 15 Airbnbs in Rome for the Perfect Roman Holiday

9. Hotel Raphael, Paris, France – Hotel Chevalier (2007)

Discussing the best Wes Anderson filming locations without mentioning Hotel Raphael in France does feel weird. The distinguished filmmaker decided to shoot a 13-minute love story, Hotel Chevalier, in this luxurious inn nestled in the City of Love, Paris. 

If you didn’t know yet, this short skit is a prequel to The Darjeeling Limited, starring Jason Schwartzman and his lover who is played by Natalie Portman. You might recognise the hotel bedroom more quickly if the sheets are yellow. Just like how they were in the movie! And remember to recreate the balcony scene between Jason and his unnamed sweetheart every chance you get.

Also read: These 10 Airbnbs in Paris Will Take Your Breath Away

10. Arizona, United States – Asteroid City (2023)

Though this is not one of the real-life Wes Anderson locations, fans should know that the deserts of Arizona have inspired the setting of Anderson’s Asteroid City. The director recreates the canyon-esque landscape with his quirky antics, paying homage to the UFO myths in the Southwestern desert. 

The film features a retro-futuristic setting circa 1955 during the post-war period of 20th-century America. And if you’re wondering about the real shooting location of this coming-of-age whimsical creation: it was in Chinchon, Spain. Nevertheless, it’s great to visit the landscape that became the inspo of our favourite filmmaker. Who knows if we can recreate an uncanny scene from Asteroid City in this dry wonderland?

Also read: 14 Best Places to Visit in Spain, Especially if It’s Your First Time

And that concludes our list of Wes Anderson filming locations every fan should consider for their next holiday! So, what are you waiting for? Book those tickets and bring your best megapixels to shoot your “intentionally Wes Anderson” shots in these spots!

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