In 1936, archaeologist Indiana Jones is tasked by Army Intelligence to help locate a legendary ancient power, the Ark of Covenant, before the Nazis get it first.
Indiana Jones’ first adventure globe-trots from a South American jungle to Cairo to a Nazi island, and shot nearly as widely: Hawaii for the opening, Tunisia for “Cairo,” a French U-boat pen for the submarine, and Elstree in England for the interiors. It also gave us cinema’s most famous shortcut to a swordfight.
Where was Raiders of the Lost Ark filmed?
The film was shot in Tunisia (as Cairo and the desert), Hawaii (the opening jungle), La Rochelle in France (the U-boat base), England (Elstree Studios) and California (Barnett College).
Every Raiders location, explained
1
Tunisia – “Cairo” and the desert dig
The streets of “Cairo” and the desert excavation used Kairouan, Sousse and the country around Tozeur, with the canyon at Sidi Bouhlel – the same “Star Wars canyon” George Lucas had used – doubling for the dig.
2
Hawaii (Kauai) – the opening jungle
The famous boulder-and-idol opening was shot in the lush National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai, standing in for Peru.
3
La Rochelle, France – the U-boat base
The Nazi submarine pens are the real WWII U-boat base at La Pallice, La Rochelle – genuine concrete-bunker menace.
4
Elstree and Stockton
The Well of Souls, the map room and other interiors were built at Elstree Studios in England, while Stockton, California (University of the Pacific) played Indy’s Barnett College.
Planning a visit
Tunisia is the great pilgrimage – Kairouan and Tozeur are real, atmospheric destinations, and Sidi Bouhlel canyon draws film fans. Kauai‘s botanical gardens are open to visitors, and the La Rochelle submarine base is a striking piece of wartime history on the French coast.
Raiders Fun Facts
1
The whip beat the sword thanks to illness The famous moment where Indy simply shoots a showy swordsman was improvised because Harrison Ford had dysentery and couldn’t face a long fight.
2
Tunisia doubled for Cairo The Cairo streets and desert dig were filmed in Tunisia, around Kairouan and Tozeur.
3
The snakes weren't enough For the Well of Souls, the crew needed thousands of snakes – and reportedly kept running out, adding hoses and severed pythons to fill the pit.
4
The melting faces are real practical effects The climactic melting Nazis were gelatin, plaster and clever heat effects, not CGI.
5
A real U-boat base The submarine pens are the genuine WWII bunker at La Pallice, La Rochelle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Cairo scene filmed?
In Tunisia, around Kairouan, Sousse and Tozeur, with the dig at Sidi Bouhlel canyon.
Where is the opening jungle scene?
On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, standing in for Peru.
Was the swordsman scene improvised?
Yes – Harrison Ford had dysentery, so instead of a long fight Indy just shoots him, and it became iconic.
Can you visit the Raiders locations?
Yes – Tunisia’s towns, Kauai’s gardens and the La Rochelle submarine base are all accessible.
