Roll camera: Filming locations on Lake Constance

Lake Constance has appeared in numerous film and TV productions. From Tatort and science fiction sagas to James Bond, many well known actors have worked in the border triangle of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Quantum of Solace: James Bond action on Lake Constance

The second James Bond film starring Daniel Craig, "Quantum of Solace", continues directly from the plot of "Casino Royale". Bond is haunted by the betrayal of his lover Vesper Lynd and follows the trail of a mysterious organisation called Quantum, which is behind a coup attempt in Bolivia. On his mission the secret agent also comes to Lake Constance, where he eliminates a villain in a spectacular chase.

The shooting location for this scene was the Bregenz Festival stage, which was set for the opera "Tosca" with a giant eye as the stage design. The lake stage is a floating theatre on Lake Constance that is redesigned every year for the Bregenz Festival. It seats up to 7,000 spectators and is known above all for its lavish and creative stage sets. A visit to this attraction is a must on a holiday in a holiday apartment on Lake Constance.

Die Welt steht still: Drama during the Covid pandemic

The drama "Die Welt steht still" poses a very different challenge. Its setting is a Covid 19 intensive care unit. This fictional ZDF film offers insights into the daily routine of doctor Carolin Mellnau, who fights for the lives of patients at the Constance hospital at the start of the pandemic. The intensive care physician also grapples with questions around contact restrictions and the role and impact of borders.

The shooting location for this film was Klinikum Konstanz, which sits right on Lake Constance. The hospital is a modern facility with more than 600 beds and various specialist departments. It also serves as a teaching hospital of the University of Freiburg. Alongside medical necessities, the film highlights the interpersonal and emotional aspects of the pandemic.

Tatort at Lake Constance: 31 crime episodes

Inspector Klara Blum and her colleague Kai Perlmann investigated challenging criminal cases around Lake Constance for many years. Locations included the stilt houses in Unteruhldingen, the harbour hall and the Schnetztor in Constance, the town of Meersburg, Hagnau and Friedrichshafen. The cases were often complex and suspenseful, but also humorous and socially critical.

The Lake Constance Tatort was a popular branch of the ARD crime series Tatort, broadcast from 2004 to 2016. A total of 31 episodes were produced, each around 90 minutes long. The main roles were played by Eva Mattes as Klara Blum and Sebastian Bezzel as Kai Perlmann. The first episode, "Schlaraffenland", aired in 2004. The 31st and final instalment of this Tatort strand was titled "Wofür es sich zu leben lohnt".

Die Häschenschule – animated children’s film from Constance

"Die Häschenschule" is an animated children’s film based on the picture book of the same name by Albert Sixtus and Fritz Koch Gotha from 1924. The film tells the story of Max, a city rabbit who accidentally ends up at the Häschenschule, where he is supposed to learn the craft of the Easter Bunny. Along the way he has many adventures and finds new friends.

The film was produced at Trickstudio Lutterbeck in Constance, a studio specialised in 3D animation. Founded in 1994, it has since created numerous films, series and commercials. Using cutting edge technology and a creative team, the studio brings stories to life. The film was released in 2017 and proved very popular with both children and adults.

Der Kommissar und der See – ZDF crime series with Walter Sittler

"Der Kommissar und der See" is a German crime series broadcast on ZDF. The show is a spin off of "Der Kommissar und das Meer", which is set on the Swedish island of Gotland. The main character Robert Anders is played by Walter Sittler. He is a likeable and charming investigator who often gets himself into trouble, yet has a keen sense for the truth.

The series was filmed at various locations around Lake Constance, including Constance, Lindau, Meersburg and Friedrichshafen. The locations reflect the beauty and diversity of the region. Viewers see several Lake Constance landmarks such as the Bregenz Festival stage, the stilt houses and the island of Mainau. So far the series comprises two episodes, each 90 minutes long.

Video: Die Toten vom Bodensee – trailer

Die Toten vom Bodensee – German Austrian crime series

The crime series "Die Toten vom Bodensee" is a German Austrian co production created by ZDF and ORF and on air since 2014. The investigators are German detective Oberländer, played by Matthias Koeberlin, and his Austrian colleague Hannah Zeiler, played by Nora Waldstätten.

German filming locations for the series include Constance, Lindau, Meersburg and Friedrichshafen. The island of Mainau and the Bregenz Festival stage also feature as settings. The pathology department is portrayed by the regional hospital in Feldkirch in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. By 6 February 2023 a total of 16 episodes had been released.

Foundation – science fiction saga with Jared Harris

"Foundation" is a science fiction series based on the book cycle of the same name by Isaac Asimov and commissioned by streaming service Apple+. The first season premiered on 24 September 2021. The plot: In a dystopian end time world a galactic empire collapses. Mathematician Hari Seldon establishes the "Foundation", a group of scientists and scholars who aim to preserve and rebuild human knowledge.

One filming location in Germany was the Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen, a museum that is well worth a visit during a stay in a holiday apartment on Lake Constance. The museum presents reconstructions of pile dwelling villages from the Stone and Bronze Ages based on archaeological finds. In the series it represents a fictional village in the middle of an ocean. The best known actor in "Foundation" is Jared Harris, who played King George VI of England in the Netflix series "The Crown".