Inception (2010)
- Documented locations
- 19
- Year
- 2010
- Directed by
- Christopher Nolan
- Cities
- Paris, Montainville, Tanger, Tokyo, Shizuoka, London, Bedford, Farnborough, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Malibu, Burbank, Universal City, Kananaskis
Paris, France
Café-restaurant at the corner of Rue César Franck and Rue Bouchut, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris (formerly Da Stuzzi Delicatessen).
The scene : 27 minAt the terrace of the café (the "Café Debussy"), Cobb explains to Ariane how dreams work; it is at this street corner that Paris folds in on itself and the shop windows explode.
Paris, France
A two-level bridge spanning the Seine, with the upper deck carrying the elevated metro, located between the 15th and 16th arrondissements. Built in 1905 by Jean Camille Formigé and Louis Biette, it is registered as a historical monument.
The scene : 32 minAriane explores the possibilities of dreaming — games of mirrors and perspective — then walks on the bridge with Cobb.
Paris, France
Palace in Italian Renaissance style housing the Fashion Museum of the City of Paris, located in the 16th arrondissement. It was designed by the architect Léon Ginain.
The scene : The palace and its surroundings serve as the backdrop for a Parisian sequence in the film.
Paris, France
Grand solemn amphitheater of the Sorbonne, decorated with the fresco "The Sacred Wood" by Puvis de Chavannes. It is classified and listed as a historical monument.
The scene : The amphitheater serves as the university where Professor Miles teaches, the setting for Ariadne's recruitment by Cobb.
Montainville, France
The scene : A house in this village in Yvelines served as a set for the filming.
Tanger, Morocco
Large square at the foot of the medina of Tangier, the main gateway to the old Moroccan city.
The scene : The square and the adjoining medina represent Mombasa (Kenya): this is where Cobb's foot chase takes place.
Tokyo, Japan
Skyscraper of the Ark Hills complex in Akasaka, one of the first major private urban redevelopments in Tokyo (1986).
The scene : The heliport on the roof of the tower, where Saito joins the team by helicopter.
Shizuoka, Japan
A prefecture in central Japan, on the Pacific coast at the foot of Mount Fuji.
The scene : The Shizuoka region hosted part of the filming in Japan.
London, United Kingdom
Research university located in the Bloomsbury area of London, featuring an iconic neoclassical portico.
The scene : The London campus appears in the university scenes of the film.
Bedford, United Kingdom
Immense airship hangars of Cardington, in Bedfordshire, built in the 1920s for British aircraft; their gigantic volume allowed for the installation of the rebel hangar set. This is a military airbase of the Royal Air Force.
The scene : The vast hangars housed the studio sets, including the famous rotating hotel corridor.
Farnborough, United Kingdom
Historic aerodrome of Hampshire, the cradle of British aviation, now a business airport.
The scene : The airfield provides the exteriors related to the transpacific airplane where the dream takes place.
Los Angeles, United States
Modernist headquarters of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, a glass building in Bunker Hill surrounded by water basins, completed in 1965. Designed by Albert C. Martin & Associates, it is designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
The scene : The headquarters of the water and electricity company of LA serves as an urban backdrop.
Long Beach, United States
Former drawbridge of the port of Los Angeles connecting Long Beach to Terminal Island.
The scene : The van driven by Yusuf tumbles off the bridge into the water, in slow motion, throughout the film.
Malibu, United States
Wild beach of Malibu, at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains, known for its caves and rocks.
The scene : The beach represents the shore of limbo where Cobb and Saito wash up.
Los Angeles, United States
Building of the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, on Spring Street. Built in 1927 by architects William and Alexander Curlett, it is a contributing property to a historic district.
The scene : This building in the historic center of Los Angeles served as a filming location.
Los Angeles, United States
The scene : This South Park address in Downtown LA was used for filming.
Burbank, United States
One of the largest soundstages of the Warner Bros studios in Burbank, equipped with a tank.
The scene : Interior sets filmed on stage 16 at Warner Studios.
Universal City, United States
Large outdoor filming tank of the Universal Studios backlot in Universal City.
The scene : The exterior water tank of the Universal backlot was used for water and rain scenes.
Kananaskis, Canada
Former ski resort of the Canadian Rockies, in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
The scene : The snow-covered ski resort becomes the mountain fortress of the third dream level, the setting for the final assault.