TURIN — Place Vendôme, Rue de Chantilly, French flags. It would all seem perfectly normal if the first weren’t actually Piazza San Carlo, the second Via Roma and the city itself Turin.

Some tourists stare at their maps, confused and amused. The mystery disappears when they come upon a gigantic movie set stretching from Piazza San Carlo — pardon, Place Vendôme — along Via Roma, or rather Rue de Chantilly, to Via Bertola.

“What’s going on?” curious onlookers ask as an imposing security detail stops them, directing pedestrians to the other side of the street or around through Galleria San Federico.

“OK, but who’s here?” they ask again.

Then someone blurts out in disbelief: “That’s Adam Sandler.”

“Really?”

“It’s him.”

And yes, a piece of Hollywood has landed in Turin once again. The American comedy star has begun filming scenes in the city for “Grown Ups 3,” directed by Kyle Newacheck. It is the latest installment in the comedy franchise centered on five childhood friends. Sandler is joined by Salma Hayek, Rob Schneider, Kevin James, David Spade and Chris Rock.

Someone must have told the production that Turin is known as a “little Paris.” And so the magic of cinema has transformed the city into a slice of the French capital. On Piazza San Carlo, a café terrace has appeared for the fictional “Café de la Poétrie,” while the historic Caffè San Carlo has been turned into the “Bistrot de Clairenne.” Dozens of extras fill the streets, some dressed unmistakably Parisian, complete with berets and the obligatory baguette tucked under an arm.

Sandler’s day starts early. Shortly after 8 a.m., he leaves the Principi di Piemonte hotel and heads to the Gucci store, where filming is taking place. He is wearing a bright pink sweatshirt and jeans. The actor moves in and out of the store, walking between the street and the arcades. Each time, fans who have gradually gathered behind the barricades try to snap photos, only to be stopped by security.

“No photos, please,” they repeat.

It isn’t easy.

After a while, the other stars join him: Kevin James, Chris Rock and David Spade. The huge crew is constantly on the move. The pace is frenetic, punctuated by the director’s repeated calls of “Action!”

Fans get a lucky break when the actors leave the set and head to Caffè San Carlo, where they sit at tables to take a break. Kevin James is the first to step away, casually strolling beneath the arcades. People stop him, and he happily poses for selfies with a smile.

Then it’s Bailee Madison’s turn. She has joined the longtime cast for this installment, and a crowd quickly lines up to meet her.

“It’s my first time in Turin, and I think it’s a really beautiful city,” the 26-year-old American actress says.

Rob Schneider is next.

The exuberant California comedian is quickly surrounded by young men and women, and a round of playful selfies begins. He, too, pays tribute to the city.

“Ciao, Torino. Muy bonita!”

Then, toward lunchtime, he arrives: Adam Sandler.

A crush of people forms immediately, held back by security. One young man approaches carrying a bag containing a pair of sneakers and a basketball jersey and gives them to Sandler. Surprised, the actor accepts the gifts, thanks him and poses for a selfie.

“It was the only way I could stop him and get a selfie,” Alessio later explains. “I gave him a Golden State Warriors jersey and Stephen Curry’s shoes because I once saw him perform at a concert for them. He’s an actor I really like.”

Chris Rock keeps a lower profile.

But the best compliment to Turin comes from Salma Hayek, who appears around lunchtime. No selfies, but when someone calls out, “Salma, do you like Turin?” the actress doesn’t hesitate.

“Me encanta!”

By late afternoon, Sandler decides to approach the crowd once again. It has grown steadily throughout the day, with people shouting and cheering in hopes of getting a wave or a greeting.

Filming will continue in Turin today and tomorrow, again in the city center, before the production is expected to move to Sardinia.

The film is produced by Netflix, with Panorama Films handling the Italian production. Filming is taking place in the United States, Italy and France.

The crew has already shot in the Aosta Valley, around Courmayeur and Bionaz, as well as in Piedmont’s Roero wine country, between Castagnito and Castellinaldo.

Based on what is known about the plot of the third installment, the group of friends — now with grown children — will finally have the freedom to embark on one last adventure.

An adventure with a little bit of Turin, transformed into Paris.

“Me encanta…!”

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