La Traversée de Paris

La Traversée de Paris

Year: 1956

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: French

Director: Claude Autant-Lara

DramaComedy

Jean Gabin and Bourvil star in a remarkable French film that balances tense suspense with sharp humor. In Nazi‑occupied Paris, two unlikely companions are hired to transport four suitcases brimming with contraband pork, navigating checkpoints, betrayals and the absurdities of wartime life.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen La Traversée de Paris yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – La Traversée de Paris (1956)

Explore the full timeline and setting of La Traversée de Paris (1956). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1942

The years of World War II bring occupation, censorship, and air raids to Paris. Civilians adapt through the black market and acts of improvisation to survive. The tense atmosphere shapes every decision, from illicit deliveries to risky companionship.

Location

Paris, France

Paris in 1942 sits under German occupation, with a dense urban fabric of streets, cafés, and markets. The city becomes a backdrop for illicit work, makeshift basements, and the constant fear of patrols. The architecture and daily life are touched by censorship, scarcity, and the tension of living under occupation.

❄️ Occupied Paris 🗺️ Urban landscape 🪖 War-time atmosphere

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:53

Main Characters – La Traversée de Paris (1956)

Meet the key characters of La Traversée de Paris (1956), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Marcel Martin (Bourvil)

An unemployed taxi driver who makes a living delivering parcels for the black market. He is practical, wary, and willing to take calculated risks to feed his wife and survive, yet he remains loyal to those he cares about. His no-nonsense approach often clashes with the unpredictable demands of his dangerous partner-in-crime.

💼 Pragmatic 🪙 Survivalist 🤝 Loyal

Grandgil (Jean Gabin)

A world-famous painter who joins the plan mainly for his own amusement. He is brash, charismatic, and mercurial, often extorting money and creating chaos. His presence exposes the tension between art, money, and survival, as his ego collides with the harsh realities of occupation.

🎨 Artist 💰 Demanding 🎭 Charismatic

Mariette Martin (Jeannette Batti)

Marcel’s wife, anxious and observant, who bears the strain of her husband’s dangerous undertaking. She provides emotional ballast and resilience, signaling the human cost of survival under occupation. Her reactions reveal the uncertain line between support and fear.

🏠 Wife 🧭 Tense 💬 Supportive

Jambier (Louis de Funès)

The local grocer who owns the basement used for preparing the illicit meat deliveries. Practical and cautious, he becomes a steadying influence amid the plan’s volatility, while also embodying the everyday risk of running a business under occupation.

🏪 Grocer 🧭 Practical 😟 Anxious

Lucienne Couronne (Georgette Anys)

Owner of the Belotte cafe, a central meeting place where much of the tension unfolds. She is calm, pragmatic, and protective, keeping her establishment running while navigating the dangers around her. Her presence anchors the human side of the plot amid constant peril.

☕ Cafe Owner 🗺️ Central 🛡️ Protective

Restaurant Waitress (Laurence Badie)

A perceptive waitress who witnesses the escalating chaos in the restaurant where the duo hides. Her quiet observations add texture to the scene, illustrating how everyday people are swept into extraordinary events.

🍽️ Waitress 👀 Observant 🤝 Helpful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:53

Major Themes – La Traversée de Paris (1956)

Explore the central themes of La Traversée de Paris (1956), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Survival

Under occupation, the characters perform calculations of risk and reward to stay alive. Scarcity drives the pair toward the black market, where every decision carries consequences for themselves and others. The film explores how hunger and desperation blur the line between necessity and wrongdoing. Even minor acts of kindness are overshadowed by the constant threat of arrest or violence.

🎭 Facade

Grandgil's presence turns survival into a performance, as the pair adopt roles and masks to manipulate others. The painter's ego and demands reveal how appearances can mask greed and fear. Martin's pragmatism collides with artistic pretension, creating tension and danger. The deception exposes the precarious nature of trust in a city under occupation.

🕊️ Escape

Escape becomes more than physical movement; it's a negotiation of safety, loyalty, and risk. The plan to carry suitcases through checkpoints forces characters to improvise under pressure. The air raid and police interactions push them toward a shared reliance and fragile solidarity. The conclusion hints at a connection that transcends their roles, suggesting humanity persists beyond the immediate peril.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:53

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of La Traversée de Paris

Don't stop at just watching — explore La Traversée de Paris in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what La Traversée de Paris is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

La Traversée de Paris Summary

Read a complete plot summary of La Traversée de Paris, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

La Traversée de Paris Summary

La Traversée de Paris Timeline

Track the full timeline of La Traversée de Paris with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

La Traversée de Paris Timeline

More About La Traversée de Paris

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about La Traversée de Paris: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About La Traversée de Paris

Similar Movies to La Traversée de Paris

Discover movies like La Traversée de Paris that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.