Von Zimmel's lines, 'Hath not a Nazi eyes? Hath not a Nazi hands? .... If you prick us, do we not bleed?..,' are a parody of Shylock's speech from 'The Merchant of Venice,' by William Shakespeare (Act III, Scene I).
The scene in the stairs of the Corcovado statue, where Jean Dujardin faces his fear of heights, is a tribute to the similar and iconic scene in Sueurs froides (1958).
The American Matt Helm spy spoof series of four films is given a nod with the similar art and set direction seen in the furniture set around the swimming pool together with the use of featured songs sung by Dean Martin.
The circus-diving scene at the pool is borrowed footage from the Elvis Presley film L'Idole d'Acapulco (1963).
Agent OSS 117 patronizes a group of hippies by saying it is not May 1968. That period had experienced intense civil unrest and protest in France, and is noted for having been a major event in French history.