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Way before Emily in Paris, there was Jackie Kennedy in Paris. Marlon Brando in Paris. Elizabeth Taylor in Paris…the list goes on and on. France was—and still is—a major hot spot for the world’s biggest stars, with its rich history, trendsetting fashion, and romance aplenty. From Sophia Loren shoe shopping at Christian Dior to Goldie Hawn and Steven Spielberg looking very flirty while roller skating, these are the best snaps of Old Hollywood icons and beyond taking in the City of Love.
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Katharine Hepburn, 1969
Talk about Paris fashion. The always-stylish Katharine Hepburn takes a break on set of The Madwoman of Chaillot in her iconic costume.
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Jane Fonda, 1963
Actress and activist Jane Fonda poses in Paris in 1963. She would return to the city two years later to film Roger Vadim’s The Game Is Over.
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Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, 1956
Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, along with costar Kay Thompson, dance through the Eiffel Tower while shooting Funny Face in 1956. Hepburn did all her own singing for the musical.
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Fred Astaire, 1956
Yet another historic snap from the filming of Funny Face. Here, Fred Astaire tips his cap in front of the Arc de Triomphe.
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Lauren Bacall, 1974
Actress Lauren Bacall dresses to the nines for a Paris photoshoot with photographer Lord Snowdon (yes, that Lord Snowdon) in 1974. She was in Paris for the filming of Murder on the Orient Express.
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Elizabeth Taylor, 1963
No one could take their eyes off the actress at the 1963 Paris premiere of Lawrence of Arabia—including her Cleopatra costar Richard Burton, pictured here sitting next to her. Not long after this picture was taken, they got married in Montreal.
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Judy Garland, 1960
Somewhere over the rainbow Atlantic Ocean, Judy Garland sang a duet with French actor and singer Maurice Chevalier. Accompanied by actor Félix Paquet on piano, the trio has a grand time at Chevalier’s Marnes-la-Coquette home in 1960.
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Lana Turner, 1953
Actress and pinup model Lana Turner wears pearls and an elegant dress on the steps of the historic Daru staircase at the Louvre Museum. Behind her is the “Winged Victory of Samothrace” sculpture—a marble statue of Greek goddess Nike dating back to the 2nd century BC.
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Jacqueline Kennedy, 1960
American royalty, Jackie Kennedy, sports a chic trench coat and her signature sunglasses as she steps out for a day of shopping in Paris.
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The Supremes, 1960
Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Diana Ross look radiant posing in front of the Eiffel Tower in 1960. Talk about a supreme view.
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Audrey Hepburn and William Holden, 1962
It doesn’t get more iconic than Audrey Hepburn posing in front of the Eiffel Tower. The actress was filming Paris When It Sizzles on location with costar William Holden.
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The Beatles, 1964
John Lennon strums his guitar as the band relaxes in their Paris hotel room with their manager—because even the biggest rock stars in the world need their downtime.
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Lucille Ball, 1959
The actress and comedian poses with her children, Lucie and Desi Jr., outside of the Château de Fontainebleau near Paris.
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Marlon Brando, 1953
Film’s notorious bad boy, Marlon Brando, is tough as nails, as he drives his motorcycle through the streets of Paris in The Wild One.
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Goldie Hawn and Steven Spielberg, 1980
The two A-listers seem close while roller skating at La Main Jaune nightclub. Both in…
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…and out of the skating rink.
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Sophia Loren, 1958
Sophia Loren and her husband, Carlo Ponti, are all smiles outside of Christian Dior in Paris. The Italian beauty reportedly tried on a few pairs of shoes before leaving the store.
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Sammy Davis Jr., 1981
The performer arrives in style at the prestigious cabaret club, Lido de Paris.
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Jayne Mansfield, 1957
The blonde beauty waves to the paparazzi at the Trocadéro, with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Purely picturesque!
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Natalie Wood, 1964
The actress looks regal in a floral headpiece on the set of her hit comedy, The Great Race.
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Lena Horne, 1954
Dancer, Grammy-winning singer, and civil rights activist Lena Horne wows the crowd at Paris’s Café Moulin Rouge.
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Grace Kelly, 1955
The actress-turned-princess waves to the public as she arrives in Paris. Only royalty can look that good after an international flight.
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Ella Fitzgerald, 1960
Legendary jazz singer and “First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald, shines on stage at L’Olympia, one of France’s most iconic concert venues.
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Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, 1955
Tony Curtis and then-wife Janet Leigh go for a spin in a Messerschmitt two-seater. She was in town visiting him while he filmed Trapeze.
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Barbra Streisand, 1968
Barbra Streisand looks beautiful in an evening gown and fur coat as she makes her way down a staircase at the Palais Garnier opera house.
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Julie Andrews, 1968
The actress looks as graceful as can be while riding horseback for the film Darling Lili.
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Ray Charles, 1962
L’Olympia’s music director, Bruno Coquatrix, greets the musician at the Orly Airport before his performance the following night.
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Brigitte Bardot, 1953
The actress and model prepares for a wardrobe change backstage at the play L’Invitation au Chateau.
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Elton John, 1979
The Rocket Man himself poses in front of the Eiffel Tower in February 1979. Later that year, the musician released his 13th studio album, Victim of Love.
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John Travolta, 1978
The ’70s heartthrob gives a cheeky grin to the camera at the Palace of Versailles. That very same year, Travolta would go on to become a household name when Grease was released.
Original posted at www.harpersbazaar.com