The French comedy written by and starring Jacques Tati playing Monsieur Hulot. The movie isn’t silent although there is not a lot of dialogue.There Is a lot of sound including the squeaky door in the hotel restaurant, the wind as it’s blowing through the hotel lobby, the funny sounds of Monsieur Hulot car as it’s breaking down, and the theme song Quel Temp Fait-il à Paris by Alan Roman.
The physical comedy of Jacques Tati throughout the film is so fun to watch. In the hotel lobby he stumbles around with his long fishing pole getting caught in things and stumbling up a sandy hill trying to get to a house are just a couple.
The story is simply about Mr. Hulot and the many people he encounters on their summer holiday. It takes place and was filmed in Saint-Marc-Sur-Mer, France close to Saint Nazaire.
The more I watched this movie the more I wanted to be on the same vacation! I wanted to go there. I started checking to see if the hotel was really there and if it was still there. Happily I discovered it was and told my husband we were going. He happily agreed since he loves the movie too.
The hotel is Hôtel de la Plage in Saint-Marc-Sur-Mer. Since the movie, the hotel has been upgraded a lot, but still much is the same. The outside of the building still looks the same as the movie. The restaurant door no longer squeaks. The view and the beach still look the same. In the lobby of the hotel the song Quel Temp fait-il à Paris plays throughout the day.
The rooms are very nice with amazing balconies overlooking the beach. The hotel restaurant is great with a nice menu. The staff is outstanding and helpful.
The local area is filled with things to do. A few we really enjoyed were the WWll sub pens in Saint Nazaire, and in the other direction the salt marshes in Guerande where salt is harvested. The whole area is beautiful.
The first time I watched the movie I found it at our local library after watching it I ordered our own copy from Amazon. If you are dreaming of a beach vacation in France but just can’t get away find yourself a copy of the movie.
The first picture above is a bronze statue of Monsieur Hulot across from the hotel. The second picture
is of the salt marshes in Gueronde.
Hotel-delaplage.Fr
Saint-Nazaire-tourisme.com
Leguerondais.Fr
À bientôt,
Jane
Really nice looking beach. Looking for the ice cream and toffee man.
ReplyDeleteBecause Monsieur Hulot plays tennis, I believe the movie poster is in the tennis museum at Roland Garros.
À la prochaine.