A love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.
À la Mort Subite, Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères - Warmoesberg, Quartier Saint-Jacques - Sint-Jacobswijk, Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk, Pentagone - Vijfhoek, Bruxelles - Brussel, Brussel-Hoofdstad - Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale - Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, 1000, België / Belgique / Belgien
Rue Américaine - Amerikastraat, Ma Campagne, Saint-Gilles - Sint-Gillis, Brussel-Hoofdstad - Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale - Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, 1060, België / Belgique / Belgien
Københavns Universitet - Center for Sundhed og Samfund, Nansensgade, Nørrevold, Indre By, København, Københavns Kommune, Region Hovedstaden, 1356, Danmark
Galeries royales Saint-Hubert - Koninklijke Sint-Hubertusgalerijen, Rue de l'Écuyer - Schildknaapsstraat, Quartier du Centre - Centrumwijk, Pentagone - Vijfhoek, Bruxelles - Brussel, Brussel-Hoofdstad - Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale - Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, 1000, België / Belgique / Belgien
Københavns Universitet - Center for Sundhed og Samfund, Nansensgade, Nørrevold, Indre By, København, Københavns Kommune, Region Hovedstaden, 1356, Danmark
Københavns Universitet - Center for Sundhed og Samfund, Nansensgade, Nørrevold, Indre By, København, Københavns Kommune, Region Hovedstaden, 1356, Danmark
Centre géographique de la Belgique, Ligne 324-325, Nil-Saint-Vincent-Saint-Martin, Walhain, Nivelles, Brabant wallon, Wallonie, 1457, België / Belgique / Belgien
Lunddalsvegen, Molde, Møre og Romsdal, 6450, Norge
Scene: (exterior scenes)
Blythe House, 23, Blythe Road, Brook Green, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Greater London, England, W14 0PW, United Kingdom
Commerzbank, 7, Altmarkt, Innere Altstadt, Altstadt, Dresden, Sachsen, 01067, Deutschland
Scene: (only establishing shots)
Salzstraße, Tharandt, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, Sachsen, 01737, Deutschland
Scene: (only Dresden exteriors)
Elberadweg, Brockwitz, Kötitz, Brockwitz, Coswig, Meißen, Sachsen, 01640, Deutschland
Frauenkirche, Neumarkt, Innere Altstadt, Altstadt, Dresden, Sachsen, 01067, Deutschland
Scene: (background exterior)
Bothel and Threapland, Sunderland, Blindcrake, Cumberland, England, CA7 2JN, United Kingdom
Tom Hooper’s tender portrait of pioneering transgender artist Lili Elbe moves between 1920s Copenhagen and Paris – but its Paris was largely conjured in Brussels, whose grand arcades and old cafes doubled beautifully for the French capital.
Where was The Danish Girl filmed?
The Danish Girl was filmed in Copenhagen, Brussels (standing in for Paris) and London.
Every Danish Girl location, explained
1
Copenhagen – Nyhavn and the old city
The Danish scenes used real Copenhagen, including the colourful harbour of Nyhavn and the University and City Hall.
2
Brussels as Paris
Much of the film’s “Paris” was filmed in Brussels, whose Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert and historic cafes passed easily for 1920s France.
3
The clinics and interiors
Period interiors, including the women’s clinic, used civic buildings across Copenhagen and Brussels.
4
London finishing
Additional studio and interior work used London.
Planning a visit
Copenhagen‘s Nyhavn harbour and Brussels‘ Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert are both beautiful, walkable heritage spots – two elegant European cities standing in for the film’s world.
The Danish Girl Fun Facts
1
Brussels played Paris Much of the film’s 1920s Paris was actually filmed in Brussels.
2
Based on a real pioneer It dramatises the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender-affirming surgery.
3
Vikander won an Oscar Alicia Vikander won Best Supporting Actress as Gerda Wegener.
4
Copenhagen's Nyhavn shines The colourful harbour of Nyhavn features prominently in the Danish scenes.
5
An artist's story Both Lili Elbe and her wife Gerda were working painters, central to the film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Danish Girl based on a true story?
Yes – it dramatises the life of Danish painter Lili Elbe, though it takes some dramatic liberties.
What city stood in for Paris?
Brussels, whose grand arcades and cafes doubled for 1920s Paris.
Can you visit Nyhavn in Copenhagen?
Yes – the colourful Nyhavn harbour is one of Copenhagen’s most popular, freely accessible spots.
Who stars in The Danish Girl?
Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe and Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener.
