If you watched Vanished, the new four-part mystery thriller by Kaley Cuoco on MGM+, you know you are not merely watching a suspense story, as you are transported around some of the most striking real places in Europe. The series is based on the life of Alice Monroe (Cuoco), whose love affair with her boyfriend Tom, played by Sam Claflin, becomes a nightmare as he abruptly vanishes in France.The creators did not shoot in studio sets but instead used real locations of Paris streets, the old port in Marseille, and the isolated corners of the southern part of Spain. These actual locations make the story seem more realistic, tense and unpredictable.Paris romance before the mystery begins View this post on Instagram Instagram PostVanished starts in Paris, the City of Light. We initially watch Alice and Tom spending a happy time together on a holiday. The gorgeous streets, popular constructions, and bustling cafes provide the story with an impression of a romantic European adventure.The significance of these scenes in Paris is that they depict what Alice’s life should have been: peaceful, loving, and fun. The impact of this contrast is even more intense when Tom suddenly disappears.The real Paris locations shown in Vanished make everything seem more authentic. The crowded streets and the landmarks that we know assist us in believing in the story and the characters. The city itself seems like it is part of the story. These preliminary scenes allow viewers to see what happiness Alice experienced before the fear sets in, which makes the mystery more meaningful and dramatic.Marseille, the heart of the hunt View this post on Instagram Instagram PostWhen the plot shifts to the southern setting, the primary location of the camera and the heart of the emotions in Vanished is Marseille. The ancient port city establishes the mood of the thriller with its contrasts of light streets and dark and narrow lanes.The visual contrast of Marseille with its meandering roads, old quarters, and beaches makes the show look striking, with sunny open spaces and gloomy hideouts that appear to be filled with danger. This is where Alice spends the majority of her search and the setting acts as a reflection of her fear, confusion and determination.There are actual locations that are featured in the series. Critical scenes of the train occur in the Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, where the crowded platforms and the elegant staircases depict how lost and confused Alice is. Even small streets, local cafes and waterfront spots make the story seem to be embedded in an existing, living metropolis. Marseille is not just a backdrop but it is very much a part of the mystery.Out beyond the city View this post on Instagram Instagram PostVanished is not recorded only in urban areas. To give the audience a sense of eeriness and distance, the series is filmed in wild and remote locations as well. In Provence, the series was recorded around the Roquefavour Aqueduct, a massive stone building in an open area. Such empty locations make Alice appear more vulnerable, with fewer people around and secrets hidden.Other scenes were recorded in southern Spain at the abandoned Rodalquilar Gold Mine. The ruined buildings and rough terrain of this location give the final episodes a dark, almost post-apocalyptic atmosphere, adding to the suspense. All these locations are very different from the busy Paris and Marseille locations, indicating that Vanished takes its mystery far away from safe and familiar locations.For more such insights on Vanished, keep following SoapCentral.