Inside 'The Parisian Agency': Valentin Kretz Reveals the Secrets Behind the Hit Show!

Just like the captivating “Emily in Paris,” “The Parisian Agency” on Netflix resonates with viewers globally, thanks to its glamorous portrayal of Paris, the city of love. This show premiered locally on TF1-owned channel TMC in 2020, and it’s been a real hit since then. In my opinion, it’s definitely worth a watch!

The show ‘Parisian Agency’ centers around the attractive Kretz brothers, Martin, Valentin, Louis, and Raphaël, who work together with their parents to manage a vast real estate business. Amidst their professional pursuits, personal aspirations, romantic entanglements, and occasional family squabbles, they help affluent — even famous — clients find stunning properties in Paris, France, or beyond. Their fame has soared in France; Valentin and Raphaël even graced the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival last year. Now filming its sixth season, this series, surprisingly accompanied by American rap music, ranked as Netflix’s fourth most-watched show globally in 2023 and remains one of France’s most popular reality formats on any streaming platform.

The upcoming installment of the series is titled “New Destinations,” produced by Story Nation and set to premiere on TF1 on April 3rd. This spinoff focuses on characters Valentin and Martin, who embark on a competition to discover untouched locations for high-end real estate properties across various destinations such as the Basque region, Corsica, the Mauritius Islands, Minorca, Venice, and the Italian Dolomites. During their journey, they also investigate possibilities for branching out their agency in these locations.

Recently, I had a chat with the globetrotter and aspiring actor Valentin Kretz, via FaceTime, in Cape Town, South Africa. This is where he filmed parts of Season 6 of “The Parisian Agency.

Why do you think “The Parisian Agency” has become such a huge hit?

It’s truly fortunate that our program resonates with such a wide array of people, spanning various age groups, from our younger sibling Raphael (20) to our elder relative Majo (91). I believe that most families can find some semblance of themselves within our cast at different stages in their lives. Moreover, collaborating as a family is an extraordinary privilege. Additionally, we are constantly amazed by the fascinating locations we encounter, both in Paris and various cities throughout France. There’s always something new to discover, even when we think we’ve seen it all – the adventure never ends.

How much of it is written and rehearsed?

To put it simply, our show stands out distinctly from U.S shows due to its high level of realism. In fact, ours is almost entirely based on reality. This authenticity is why we spend a considerable amount of time and effort in its production, filming throughout an entire year compared to the two and a half months typically spent on a U.S season. I’ve had some experiences working with Ryan Serhant on his New York real estate series (“Owning Manhattan”), even shooting an episode with him last year about the agency. What I noticed was their speedy production process, which is characteristic of American shows: They rely on scripts and sometimes use fake buyers, but it doesn’t hinder their success because they prioritize entertainment value.

But you do some reenactments, right?

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I understand the need for preparation when working with clients for our productions. We can’t just show up with cameras unannounced, as it would be unexpected and potentially intimidating. So, we take some time to build rapport and get their consent before filming. However, in essence, we aim to capture reality in its truest form, deviating less than 1% from the actual events.

How long does it take you to shoot each season?

It typically requires around nine months to a year for us to produce eight episodes. Normally, we begin filming in March and continue until December. During this period, life goes on as usual, which means we’re hoping for some intriguing family events for the family scenes, and our real estate business keeps us busy with numerous sales and clients. If nothing particularly interesting happens, we won’t force it for the sake of filming. However, if an engaging customer with a compelling story emerges and consents to be filmed, we seize the opportunity. We often film five days a week, but there are also weeks when we only shoot once or not at all. Each filmed visit takes approximately three hours for preparation and staging the apartments, and we prefer to take our time to ensure quality.

Your show has been watched more than many French movies on Netflix. What has it been like to have that kind of visibility?

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on this globally acclaimed production. Streaming across 18 countries worldwide, it’s been skillfully dubbed into English and subtitled in an impressive 35 languages, making its reach truly massive. While official viewership numbers aren’t disclosed, industry insiders estimate that it has garnered anywhere from 50 to 70 million viewers each week on TMC and Netflix.

This captivating series has a remarkable ability to unite audiences worldwide, with recognition extending far beyond our borders. Yesterday, Raphaël and I found ourselves in a South African restaurant, where we were warmly greeted by local fans! Remarkably, I’ve also been recognized in Mongolia and Brazil, where the show has become a cultural phenomenon.

If you haven’t yet experienced this global sensation, I strongly encourage you to give it a watch – you won’t be disappointed!

Where did the idea for the spinoff, which sees you and your brother Martin competing with each other, come from?

From birth, our bond has been strong and there’s a touch of rivalry, yet it’s a healthy competition that motivates us to excel. It mirrors the narrative of our lives. Among our siblings, we share a passion for exploration the most fervently. Currently, Louis is thriving with an agency in Spain, while Raphaël continues his education. Given our recent endeavors, it makes sense that the competition between Martin and me has been the primary focus. In the new series “Nouvelles Destination,” the rest of our family is also featured. When Louis can participate, he does, as we did in Spain. Similarly, Raphaël accompanied Martin to Italy.

How is “Nouvelles Destinations” different from “L’Agence”?

Our job involves discovering new opportunities for us as real estate agents, primarily by exploring potential locations ahead of time to determine if we should establish an office there. In the luxury market, our clients seek more than just a house; they want comprehensive information about each location, including activities, attractions, and lifestyle options that cater to their diverse interests. Many of our clients are passionate about pursuits such as wine tasting, car collecting, golfing, or sports. Our role is not only to provide details about properties but also to help them discover what they can engage in around their future homes.

So how will you determine the winner in each episode?

The contestant who discovers exceptional properties for sale or rent, along with unique dining experiences, hidden hotels, and exclusive activities, will emerge victorious in this competition. The winning proposals will be those that offer the most intriguing plans. Upon our return from our travels, we’ll hold a family vote to determine our preferred location for establishing our agency and investing in customer excursions.

Since you’re competing with your brother, how do you determine the destinations?

In four separate journeys, we explored eight diverse locations, always striving to find similarities amidst their differences. For instance, we contrasted Minorca with Mauritius, both being islands, and the Basque region with Corsica, two regions known for their robust wine production.

Did you feel the need for this spinoff because you’re running out of amazing homes to show in Paris?

At the conclusion of every season, we ponder: How can we surpass what we’ve achieved? For instance, during Season 5, we set a new benchmark with €34 million in sales – smashing our previous record. Our target for 2024 was €24 million. The property that brought in this impressive €34 million is situated on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and spans over 500 square meters, occupying a ground-floor apartment. Each season, we uncover unique properties, discovering new gems. Despite the fact that Paris isn’t as expansive as the United States and there are no new constructions, it still offers a vast array of hidden treasures, which I believe we have yet to fully explore.

What’s next for you? Opening a real estate school?

In the upcoming year, we will initiate the sale of franchises for our agency and provide comprehensive details about this venture during Season 6. Meanwhile, regarding education, we are actively working on creating an academic program focused on luxury real estate. At present, it is exclusively available to our existing agents numbering approximately 120. However, our aim is to expand this training to individuals outside our agency. Why not elevate it to a certified course within the luxury real estate market?

2025-03-19 16:19

Inside ‘The Parisian Agency’: Valentin Kretz Reveals the Secrets Behind the Hit Show!