Da Vinci Code, Filming in Paris, Lifts Tour Industry

July 28 (Bloomberg) -- It's 10 a.m. on a recent Wednesday on the Place Vendome in Paris and so many people have shown up for City Walks's Da Vinci Code tour that the guides have split them into two groups. About a half mile to the north, rue Saint Georges was blocked for a week this month to film a car chase for the movie version of Dan Brown's best-selling novel of art, religion and intrigue. For tour guides such as David Mebane, owner of City Walks of Paris, the popularity of Brown's book, which has sold 25 million copies since it was published in March 2003, has created a cottage industry in Da Vinci Code tours. The May 2006 release of the film, directed by Ron Howard, may attract a new flood of moviegoers. [More] [Discuss]