Experience Star Wars in Tunisia

When history takes us beyond the screen! After discovering the Game of Thrones sets in Northern Ireland, we find ourselves in the Star Wars sets in Tunisia. In the middle of the desert, we set off to explore the planet Tatooine, tracing the footsteps of Anakin, Luke, Obi-Wan, Darth, and Vader. Here is our Jedi-mode adventure and all the information needed to visit the Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia.

Star Wars, a saga that needs no introduction! Whether a fan or not, everyone knows the raspy breath of Darth Vader, Luke's cry, Leia's bikini, and Han Solo's swagger. But few know where the episodes were filmed!

It was in the south of Tunisia, amidst the vast desert landscapes, that scenes from the original trilogy (Episodes IV - V - VI) and from the prequel trilogy (Episodes I - II - III) were shot, especially Episodes I (filmed in 1997, released in 1999), II (filmed in 2000, released in 2002), III (filmed in 2003, released in 2005), and IV (filmed in 1976, released in 1977): meaning all those that concern the planet Tatooine, home planet of the cute little blonde Anakin Skywalker.

And there are rumors that the second spin-off, focusing on the character Han Solo, will bring us back to southern Tunisia... We'll have to wait until December 2018 to find out!

As we love to push our creativity to the limit, we created a short film inspired by the Star Wars universe and filmed on the shooting locations during our trip to Tunisia, featuring beautiful costumes: we hope you'll enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it!

We visited these sites in our beautiful Star Wars costumes. The Jedi and ambassador costumes were made by the talented designer Marie Van Gils (who also created our costumes for Game of Thrones), and I invite you to check out her website.

In practice Name in Star Wars: Mos Eisley Star Wars Film: Episode IV Site Name: Ajim Location: the city of Ajim is located 20 km from Houmt Souk (and from Djerba Airport)

Chalmun's Cantina Stormtrooper checkpoint The launch of the Millennium Falcon, a few streets from the Stormtrooper checkpoint Ben's House

In practice Name in Star Wars: Tatooine Star Wars Film: does not appear in the films, but the name exists in the saga's universe Site Name: Tataouine Location: city of Tataouine

Bonus: During our trip, while interacting on social media with Quebec travelers after our #vismaviedejedi photos, we learned that > is a verb meaning to dither, hesitate a lot, and waste time... What is pretty certain is that no resident of Tataouine knows this! After some research, this word likely comes from a Franco-Tunisian expression: >, in the sense of going to get lost in the middle of nowhere, as Tataouine was formerly known for its prison where the French were sent to serve their sentences and break stones... Hence the idea of wasting time...

In practice Name in Star Wars: Mos Espa Star Wars Film: Episode I Site Name: Ksar Ouled Soltane

In practice Name in Star Wars: Mos Espa Star Wars Film: Episode I Site Name: Ksar Hadada

In practice Name in Star Wars: Lars Homestead Star Wars Film: Episodes II and IV Site Name: Sidi Driss Hotel

In practice Name in Star Wars: Jundland Wastes Star Wars Film: Episodes I and IV Site Name: Sidi Bouhlel

In practice Name in Star Wars: Mos Espa Star Wars Film: Episodes I and II Site Name: Chott el-Gharsa (and Ong Jmal - also called >, and >)

At this site, in addition to the easily recognizable igloo, the location was also used for: the gardens >, the craters numbering 3 at the base, of which only 2 remain, the evaporators, of which vaguely only the imprint of their installation remains, and the tombs, including Shmi's (Anakin's mother), originally located 150 meters from the igloo, of which only the imprints remain as well. In short, a site filled with stories, where only a hollow igloo remains visible, leading to a troglodyte house located far away... But a detour to this site is well worth it, especially at the end of the day to watch the sun set, which makes immersion in the scene even more epic!

In practice Name in Star Wars: Luke's Homestead exit Star Wars Film: Episodes II, III, and IV Site Name: igloo - Nefta - Chott el-Jerid Location: salt desert of Chott el-Jerid

We haven't covered all the sites that served as Star Wars filming locations in Tunisia. We aimed for the most iconic, but for the most passionate, you can also check out:

In Europe

Spain Seville, Plaza de España: Theed Palace Courtyard (Episode II)

Great Britain Cardington, Airship Hangars: Massassi Temple Exterior (Episode IV) Whippendell Wood: Naboo Forest (Episode I) Hever Castle - Loggia: Back of Theed Palace (Episode I) Gama, Royal Air Force military base (Episode VII) Lake District National Park and Forest of Dean: Takodana, Maz Kanata's hideout (Episode VII)

Ireland Skellig Michael Island, Luke's refuge (Episode VII)

Iceland Lake Mývatn and Krafla Volcano: Starkiller Base, planet where the First Order is based (Episode VII)

Italy Rogaro: Picnic in the grass with Padme and Anakin (Episode II) Tremezzo: Departure dock to the villa (cut scene from Episode II) Lenno, Villa Balbianello: Padmé's villa on Naboo where she and Anakin kiss and marry (Episode II) Caserta, Royal Palace: Theed Palace (Episodes I and II) Sicily, Mount Etna erupting: Mustafar (Episode III)

Norway Finse, Hardangerjøkulen Glacier: Hoth (Episode V)

Switzerland: Grindelwald - Lake Bachalpsee: Alderaan (Episode III)

In Asia

China: Guilin Region: Kashyyyk (Episode III)

Thailand: Phuket, Phang Nga Bay: planet Kashyyyk (aerial views of Phuket islets combined with images of the Guilin mountains and digital tree models to form Kashyyyk) (Episode III)

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi - Rub' al Khali Desert: planet Jakku (Episode VII)

In the Americas

USA - California Death Valley: Tatooine (Episodes IV and VI) Marin County: Battle of Naboo (Episode I) Redwood National Park: Endor (Episode VI) Buttercup Valley: Tatooine (Episode VI)

Guatemala Tikal: Yavin IV (Episodes IV and Rogue One)

Tunisia remains the only country in Africa to have hosted a Star Wars filming.

For more information, I invite you to check out the site of the Tunisian Tourism Office. And once again, special thanks to the talented Marie Van Gils for the stunning costumes!

In partnership with the Tunisian Tourism Office.

To continue reading

• First Impressions in Tunisia
• Discovering Southern Tunisia (and great addresses)
• Also find Tunisia in our articles 2016 highlights and our 16 firsts from 2016
• Other destinations to (re)discover:
  • Jordan : Petra: a wonder carved in stone and sand; Wadi Rum: draw me a desert; Jordanian cuisine: 6 easy and delicious recipes!
  • Italy : 10 reasons to love Sicily; Rome in 3 days: mission impossible?; Visiting Venice: between romance and gastronomy
  • Spain : Barcelona: tips for an unforgettable city trip; Adventures and emotions in Cantabria