[3][4] Reviewer Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "This is a very New York film, with its emphasis on characterization rather than style, with its cast composed of actors rather than movie stars.

"[5] A reviewer for The New York Times wrote, "Though its hero, a high-powered screenwriter, travels by Concorde, Frank D. Gilroy's 'Once in Paris' appears to be a tale out of the comparatively naïve, propeller-driven 1950's rather than the more jaded, jet-propelled 1970's, the period when it's all supposed to take place.

"[6] A reviewer for Variety wrote, "Writer-director Frank Gilroy has come up with a highly personalized tale of a rough around-the-edges Yank screenwriter’s relationship with a worldly chauffeur and a bauteous British aristocrat.

"[2] Reviewer John Skow of Time wrote, "Uncloudable sunniness of mood is what is required to sit through this decorative but unsubstantial comedy without snarling.

Paris locations enhance this one, plus a sympathetic performance from Wayne Rodgers as a married American screenwriter infatuated by glacial beauty Gayle Hunnicut.

The film highlights the bitter and inevitable futility of a sweet passing affair - by the ironic device of the hero's doctoring a romantic screenplay.