Paris is an extremely beautiful city where every corner could be a photo spot. With beautiful architecture, adorable cafés, and insanely beautiful sunsets, Paris is the perfect place to take photos. In this post, we share our favorite Paris photo spots and included some hidden ones you might have not heard about yet!
Paris Photo Spots – Overview
Here is a quick overview featuring our favorite Paris photo spots. For more information and photo tips, just read on.
- Place du Trocadéro
- Pont Alexandre III
- Louvre Museum
- Arc de Triomphe
- Avenue de Camoëns
- Notre Dame (currently under construction)
- Parisian Balconies
- Rue de l’Université
- Petite Palais
Related: Secret Eiffel Tower Photo Spots.
Why didn’t we add more photo spots?
We can understand that you might ask yourself „If Paris is that picturesque, why are there only nine Paris photo spots in this post?“. Let us explain why we prefer these photo spots and would not shoot at La Maison Rose, or Le Consulat anymore.
When we visited Paris for the first time back in December 2019, we were super excited about the city and wanted to shoot everywhere, although we only had 4 days to explore Paris. We sacrificed a lot of time for content creation and ended up being really disappointed when our pictures could not met our expectations. That is why we want to tell you: opt for less photo spots during your stay in Paris but make the most out of your visit! It is so much better to shoot two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening and take some time to enjoy the city in between.
Also, if you take photography seriously, you might want to get out of bed very early. That’s another serious reason to slow down and enjoy the time in between shootings, because otherwise you will end your trip being more exhausted than ever. And, we promise, you won’t get the work you expected.
Better take three really good pictures than twenty pictures that don’t match your imagination or expectation.
Paris Photo Spots | Best times to take pictures
In spring and summer, best times to take pictures in Paris is in the morning or in the evening. Firstly, there will be less people because most people are not yet awake in the morning or out for dinner in the evening. Secondly, the lighting is just perfect for photography.
In fall and winter, the lighting will be pretty much the same during the day. There will also be less people in Paris then which makes it easier to take pictures throughout the day. However, we’d still recommend to take pictures in particularly crowded places in the morning.
Summer vs. Winter in Paris?
Paris is located in Central Europe and therefore, there may be a lack of snow. Do not expect to take photos of pictures-perfect white sceneries in winter. Hence, we would recommend the summer for photography although winter, and especially Christmas season, are perfect for christmassy pictures!
If you want to find out about our favorite Christmas photo spots, click here.
Essential Photography Tips | Be aware of pickpockets
If you travel like us, you will take most of your photos by yourself – using a tripod. Be aware that, especially in crowded places, there might be pickpockets who will try to steal your camera from you.
Most of the times, people are super friendly, even ask if they can help you with your photos and won’t try to steal anything from you, but Paris is a big city and you can’t be sure that it’s not going to hit you anyway.
Unfortunately, when we went to Place du Trocadéro one morning, we were completely alone and considered ourselves to be very lucky since it’s normally a crowded place – even early in the morning. However, a guy approached us and seemed to be drunk or addicted to something else. He then asked us for a cigarette and when we told him that we do not smoke, he just repeatedly said ‚Ibrahimović‘. We found this super weird and were twice as attentive. Luckily, because he actually tried to push us away from the security cameras. However, after Florian kept him away from me, he tried to catch the camera. Fortunately, he did not succeed, but if we had already set up our tripod here, it would have looked different.
Tip: If you are shooting with a tripod and you notice something abnormal or several people coming up to you, immediately pack up your things. Luckily, there are security cameras in Paris and the police secured crowded places as well, but better be safe than sorry.
A list of Paris photo spots – 9 Photo Spots you don’t want to miss
1 – Place du Trocadéro
The Place du Trocadéro is the best place to catch these Eiffel Tower views. It is located in Paris‘ 16th arrondissement directly opposite the Eiffel Tower.
The best photo spots at the Trocadéro are by far the platform at the top of the place as well as the staircases to the left and right. Due to several accidents, it is no longer possible to take pictures standing on one of the walls at the Trocadéro. There are wooden barriers that you cannot overcome. Even if you’d manage to climb over the barriers, do not forget the security cameras and the police patrol.
The pictures that we took are still possible though. You just have to get creative sometimes! But we honestly think it is good that the French government established these barriers for safety, because some Influencers took risky pictures and encourage others to do the same, resulting in several injuries.
Photo Tips: The best time to take pictures at the Place du Trocadéro is sunrise. You may want to arrive before sunrise to check out the best places to take your photos. Then, when the sun slowly rises, you will be rewarded with a picture-perfect pink sky.
It’s also possible but not recommended to take photos during sunset, because it will be much more crowded and as previously mentioned: you cannot be sure if someone steals your camera equipment when you are taking your photos (if you are using a tripod). Chances are much lower that this happens to you when you come during sunrise, because you can pay more attention to humans in your close environment.
2 – Pont Alexandre III
The famous Pont Alexandre III is a popular photography spot in Paris both for locals and tourists. The best photography spots are on the bridge facing the Eiffel Tower or the Jardin des Tuileries, as well as on the side of the bridge or down at the Seine. You can even have a picnic at the Seine if you take the stairs down.
Here, you will see many people throughout the day. Normally, I’d say that it’s pretty amazing to shoot here during sunrise as the sun rises opposite to the Eiffel Tower and will bathe the Eiffel Tower in golden light. However, we only had four days in Paris and chose other spots for sunrise shootings. So we ended up shooting during sunset at Pont Alexandre III which was beautiful as well. Once the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower, the sky will be painted in the most beautiful colors.
As you might see, the sky was even more impressive on the opposite of the Eiffel Tower, facing Jardin des Tuileries.
Photo Tips: If you can, shoot here during sunrise and sunset. It’s both amazing, but if you have to opt for one time you can choose whatever suits you best. The best thing about Pont Alexandre III is that it’s very open and you can shoot here at several times. That’s not the case at the Avenue de Camoëns for example. There, it is more closed due to the buildings on site and probably won’t be able to take pictures there at every time.
3 – Louvre Museum
Of course, the iconic Louvre museum just had to be part of this Paris photo spots guide. The Louvre is particularly famous for housing the Mona Lisa and is located in the former residence of the kings, the Palais du Louvre. With around 10 million visitors a year, it is the most visited museum in the world.
As a result, you might be able to imagine how crowded it must be there, making it extra difficult to take pictures during the day. Most people simply take a photo with the Louvre ‚in their hand‘, but we have something more special for you!
Photo Tips: Go to the Louvre after sunset! Then, there won’t be as many people anymore and it is much easier to take photos. We went to the left side of the Louvre and placed our tripod under the light bulb. Moreover, we shot with ISO 1600 and a slower shutter speed to ensure that everything is still visible and that we don’t take a completely black picture. Some cameras might produce noise in the pictures when shooting with a higher ISO. Ours doesn’t, but you can simply remove the noise in Lightroom. Don’t carry it too far though!
4 – Arc de Triomphe
Located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Place de l’Étoile, Arc de Triomphe’s location is shared between three arrondissements.
The triumphal arch Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile in Paris has been something we wanted to shoot since our first time in Paris! When we first visited Paris, however, we were too busy packing too many things in our days. As previously mentioned, avoid this at all cost. Instead, focus on one or two good pictures / photo spots.
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the less popular photo spots but one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It is unpopular for photography, because most people simply do not know how to shoot there. They feel overwhelmed by all the people and traffic – which is absolutely understandable.
Photo Tips: If you are uncomfortable with all the traffic, people, etc. simply avoid to come here during afternoon. The best times for photography, however, are sunrise and sunset. You can either take photos faced to the sun or take photos with the sun behind you. We preferred to take photos facing the sun but – and that’s extremely important – took the pictures before sunrise!
5 – Avenue de Camoëns
Ever wondered where to take pictures with beautiful French architecture and the Eiffel Tower in the back? Avenue de Camoëns is the answer.
To be honest, we already took photos here in winter and weren’t happy with them at all. We hated the dull and grey look. So summer is what makes this location special. Now, you can see the architecture, balconies, and even the tree in full bloom.
Photo Tips: If you want to, you could also take pictures here during sunrise. However, we opted for early morning after shooting at Place du Trocadéro. We think that the blue sky makes up the whole photos and a pink sky simply wouldn’t fit so perfectly. Sometimes, you just have to make the best of the time you have, remember!
6 – Notre Dame
Unfortunately, Notre Dame de Paris was on fire in 2019. On 15 April 2019, a structure fire broke out beneath the roof of the famous cathedral in Paris. The French president said that the Notre Dame would be restored by 2024 – just in time for the Olympic Games in Paris -, but a complete restoration could require twenty years or more.
We weren’t able to take any good pictures of the Notre Dame but wanted to include this spot here anyways. In order to not leave you with a photo spot that’s currently available: Avenue de New York has pretty awesome views of the Eiffel Tower!
7 – Parisian Balconies
Honestly, Parisian balconies are the most beautiful ones in the world. They are always cute, beautiful and perfect for pictures. Sometimes, you just got to be creative!
The two pictures below were actually shot nearby the Arc de Triomphe. The best thing about it? It’s not illegal. Did you know that climbing the roofs and taking photos is not allowed, unless it’s your own roof?
Photo Tips: Take pictures during sunset or after sunrise for the best lighting.
8 – Rue de l’Université
We admit, Rue de l’Université is one of the most famous Paris photo spots, but we just had to include it in our list! To get to this point, you have to go to the crossing between Rue de l’Université and Avenue de la Bourdonnais. Then you will see this dead end with perfect Eiffel Tower views.
Unluckily, there was a construction site when we took our pictures and we just managed to get three photos, because the construction worker arrived extra extra early (around 5am, he was definitely diligent).
Photo Tips: If you want to take pictures at Rue de l’Université, then arrive early! It’s one of the most crowded photo spots in Paris and you will be able to enjoy it much more if you have it to yourself.
9 – Petite Palais
Small palace is what Petite Palais is translated to. In reality, this palace is anything but small.
With its beautiful golden door and typical Parisian architecture, the Petite Palace is one of the best photo spots in Paris. And it gets even better: most people avoid the palace and go straight to the Hôtel des Invalides. Therefore, you will have the Petite Palais to yourself!
Photo Tips: The best time for photography is honestly in the evening when the sun goes down. It will make the door shine in the most beautiful gold and if that does not convince you, what will then?
We hope you liked these Paris photo spots. Here are some more posts you might enjoy:
- Secret Eiffel Tower photo spots in Paris
- A 24 hours guide for Paris – perfect for a layover
- How to spend a perfect weekend in Paris
- Pros and cons of visiting Paris in winter
- Top things you have to do when in Paris
- Essential Paris travel tips
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Wow! Your photos look insane!
Thanks 🙂