From the set of Mare Fuori to gourmet Japan: an interview with Nicolas Maupas, who recounts his most beautiful travels.
A breakout actor thanks to Mare Fuori, and recently seen in the international production The Count of Monte Cristo , Nicolas Maupas travels extensively for work and pleasure. Each set, each city, each encounter with a different culture has helped him build a character, discover something new about himself. We met him at the 2025 Giffoni Film Festival , where he was a guest to discuss his career with the young audience of the festival dedicated to children's cinema, now in its 55th edition.
Very calm and approachable, he shared with us his love of travel, his experiences in Italy and around the world, and revealed which countries he'd like to visit in the near future. In this interview, he tells us how important places are in his artistic journey, the destinations that have most impressed him—from Japan to Denmark—and his way of traveling: light-hearted, curious, always hungry for experiences (and new flavors).
Nicolas Maupas tells his storyAs an actor, how important do you think a location is to telling a story? Does acting in a place that resonates with you help you build a character?
I've realized that sometimes a location really helps you connect with a story or a historical period. For example, when I shot The Count of Monte Cristo , filming in Paris, particularly at the Opera House, was evocative and therefore certainly helped me immerse myself in the character and the life of that era. I think it helps a lot and that you have to let the places lead you and find your own place.
Is there a place you discovered thanks to a project you did?
Actually, many of them, starting with Naples with Mare Fuori , I have to admit I'm discovering much of Italy thanks to my work. I came to France through my job, so yes, every time it's a new discovery. Even Turin, for example, was an hour's train ride from where I lived before, but I'd never explored it thoroughly.
I imagine you travel a lot with your job. What's always in your suitcase?
I sometimes bring books with me, but often I never open them. I usually travel very light; I never have very large suitcases, so I try to carry as little as possible, also to be as comfortable as possible.
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I read that you have a passion for cooking, which you always consider to be linked to travel. So I imagine that when you travel, you experiment with local food and don't eat Italian?
Yes, I think you should never look for Italy abroad because you'll end up eating in Italy. But I recently went to Japan, and much of the trip was based on culinary stops and things to try. I don't remember the names of the things I ate because they're really complicated, but I tried everything. I went to Denmark and ate fish cooked in a different way, and I find it interesting to see how the same raw material is then reinvented and reused depending on the country.
Is there a strange dish you've tried that made an impression on you?
I don't have a particular dish that comes to mind, but perhaps the Danish smørrebrød, which is basically Copenhagen's black bread with various toppings like anchovies.
Is there a place where you felt at home even if it was your first time visiting, and a place where you always feel like a guest?
Nordic countries like the Netherlands and Denmark are places where I immediately felt at home, partly because their architecture reminds me of France, something I recognize. Japan, despite being a culture very distant from ours, manages to welcome you in a special way, but I felt like a European visiting a new country and felt a bit more disconnected as a tourist.
A place you dream of visiting that you've never seen yet?
Japan was a great conquest for me, but now I'm interested in India, Vietnam, and even places in Northern Europe that I still haven't seen.
