Top 10 Places to Take Photos in Paris

Top 10 Places to Take Photos in Paris

Paris is known as the City of Lights and the City of Love, 💕so it will surprise no one that it makes for a perfect photo location. The city is home to many picturesque settings, such as the Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Garden, Moulin Rouge, the Rue de l’Université, and more, making it the prime city for dazzling photos. ✨

We asked our local vacation photographers in Paris to give us their favourite picks for the best places to take photos in Paris. Whether travelling with your sweetheart, best friend, or family or adventuring alone, these iconic Parisian areas offer a fantastic canvas to capture your vacation memories so you can relive the moments for years to come. 😊

TLDR

(a sneak peek before you dive in 😉)

1. Trocadero & The Eiffel Tower: experience the city’s renowned landmark and lively square; bask in the sun by day and indulge in mesmerizing light shows by night.
2. Bir-Hakeim Bridge: gaze at the extraordinary steel architecture of a bridge that has graced the big screen; take in superb views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
3. Champ de Mars: capture the iconic Eiffel Tower in all its beauty from dawn to dusk at one of the best vantage points in town.
4. Pont Alexandre III: discover the most photogenic and romantic Parisian bridge that offers breathtaking views and is conveniently near significant monuments.
5. The Louvre & Tuileries Gardens: experience the quintessential Parisian combo; stroll through the stunning gardens before soaking in the architecture of the world’s most famous museum.
6. Palais Royale & Gardens: discover a U-shaped palace that houses striking contemporary art and is surrounded by idyllic gardens.
7. Jardin du Luxembourg: take stunning photos against the extensive manicured Jardin du Luxembourg and the stately 17th-century Palace.
8. Emily in Paris: follow Emily’s footsteps to some of the most photogenic locations in the city, capturing all the beauty, fashion, and romance that made the series a hit.
9. Île St-Louis & Notre Dame: a charming treasure island adorned with cobblestone pathways, quaint cafes and restaurants, and the world’s most famous Gothic church.
10. Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur: another fantastic Parisian combo that embodies the city’s essence, with an abundance of art and romance at every turn.

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Fangyi and partner celebrate an engagement in Paris with a proposal photoshoot.

1. Trocadero & The Eiffel Tower

The Trocadero is a must-visit for the best Eiffel Tower views and a fun day out. Alongside the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero is a square full of gardens, 🌸 sculptures, and museums with abundant Instagrammable photo opportunities. 

Explore the museums and snap photos of the Eiffel Tower during the day, 🌞 and then stay for the Eiffel Tower light show at night. 🌙 You can watch the Eiffel Tower’s lights go from warm gold to bright purple in a breathtaking display you won’t want to miss.

You won’t regret it if you have the energy to hike up the second floor! Soak in the beautiful, panoramic views of the city and remember to capture a few pics. 

Photos: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Benedict and Uju celebrate their engagement in Paris with a proposal photoshoot.

2. Bir-Hakeim Bridge

Bathing in the waters of the Seine, Paris is home to numerous bridges, each with its unique charm and history. Constructed in the early 1900s during a boom in the steel industry — not long after the construction of the Eiffel Tower — Pont de Bir-Hakeim is remarkable. It crosses the river, connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements. A metro line uses its upper level, while the lower level is for motor vehicles on both sides, and a covered bicycle and walking path is in the centre. 🚲

With its extraordinary steel architecture, the bridge has been featured in many well-known movies, such as Last Tango in Paris and Inception. This is one of the best places to take photos in Paris. Besides the unique design, it provides superb views of the Seine River and the Eiffel Tower from a slanted angle, making it a great alternative to Trocadéro and Champs de Mars. From there, it is almost irresistible not to take a stroll along the riverbanks as you make your way toward the Iron Lady. 😍

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Lynett and friends capture memories in Paris with a vacation photoshoot at Bir-Hakeim Bridge.

3. Champ de Mars

A trip to Paris isn’t complete without a visit to this famous landmark. 🙌🏼 There are many spots throughout the city to capture a photo with the Eiffel Tower peeking behind, but one of the best places is on the Champ de Mars, which is right beneath its shadow. 

Come in the early morning to this public space for ideal light and fewer crowds, or find a free space in the evening to experience the fantastic light show of the tower. Champ de Mars delivers lovely photography locations from dawn to dusk, so make sure to squeeze in a photoshoot here! 📸

Photo: Maria in Paris for Flytographer. Stephen and partner celebrate a birthday in Paris with a birthday photoshoot at Champ de Mars.

4. Pont Alexandre III

Another famous Parisian bridge that offers magnificent views of the Eiffel Tower is Pont Alexandre III. Inaugurated for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, this ornate and extravagant bridge sits at the heart of Paris, near countless monuments and is a popular spot for a stroll at any time of day or night. 🚶

Pont Alexandre III connects the Invalides on the Left Bank to the Grand Palais and Petit Palais on the Right Bank, providing breathtaking views of both sides. The bridge features huge 17-metre-high pylons crowned with gilt bronze sculptures of winged horses representing the fields of Arts, Sciences, Commerce, and Industry. It is considered the most photogenic of all the bridges in Paris. You will want to cross it slowly, admiring all the beautiful details and soaking in the atmosphere of this majestic bridge that is a monument in all its rights. 😉

Photo: Olga in Paris for Flytographer. Christine and partner capture memories in Paris with a couples photoshoot at Pont Alexandre III.

5. The Louvre & Tuileries Gardens

The Louvre, the world’s most famous museum, is a great place to capture amazing photos. Originally built as a fortress and later converted into a royal residence, this massive palatial complex comprises several buildings organised around courtyards and featuring various architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. In the late 1980s, a controversial modern glass and steel pyramid was added to the large courtyard at the centre, providing a stark contrast with the more classical architecture of the facade. This pyramid is the most popular spot for photos outside the museum, with the large reflecting pool around it creating beautiful reflections of everything. It’s also a great spot for night shots when the modern structure and the building behind it are beautifully lit up. 💡

Sitting in a privileged position between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries continues as a central axis for the Louvre. It is an attraction with fountains, sculptures, and beautiful landscaping. Despite being very popular, it is still a tranquil space for visitors to relax and enjoy the outdoors. You can take great photos of the grand central alley, the stunning arch made of marble featuring four Corinthian columns, and the Ferris wheel set up in the garden during certain times of the year. 🎡 The combination of the museum and the gardens makes for a quintessential Parisian experience!

Photo: Olga in Paris for Flytographer. Jen and family capture memories in Paris with a family photoshoot at The Louvre & Tuileries Gardens.

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6. Palais Royale & Gardens

Located in the heart of Paris, just a stone’s throw away from The Louvre, l’Opéra, and Rue de Rivoli, Palais-Royal is often missed by casual passersby. Constructed in the 17th century, this U-shaped palace features a courtyard surrounded by stone columns that house artwork by Daniel Buren, a striking installation of black-and-white striped columns arranged in a grid pattern. Once more, a contemporary touch contrasts with the elegant and classical surroundings and makes for a great and fun spot for photos. 👌

Another highlight of the palace is its gardens, which feature about 500 trees, some trimmed to create an arch effect, symmetrical rose beds, two long and manicured lawns, and a fountain right at the centre. The Gardens of Palais-Royal is a beautiful and tranquil oasis, perfect for taking a city break and enjoying the beauty of nature. 🌳

Photo: Krystal in Paris for Flytographer. Katherine and family capture memories in Paris with a family photoshoot at Palais Royale & Gardens.

7. Jardin du Luxembourg 

Thanks to a bequest from Napoléon, the extensive manicured Jardin du Luxembourg with the stately 17th-century Palace, open to the public, offers a stunning photo backdrop. Whether you’re visiting Paris with your family, friend or partner, travelling out to these gardens will make for an unforgettable and incredible day trip. 👍

The Luxembourg Gardens will transport you back to when French royalty roamed these gorgeous and vibrant gardens. 🌻 Stand next to the sculptures with the colourful foliage and the Luxembourg Palace behind you for some of the best photos you’ll capture on your Paris adventure.

Photo: Rachael in Paris for Flytographer. Kelly and family capture memories in Paris with a vacation photoshoot at Jardin du Luxembourg.

8. Emily in Paris Route

Chasing her dreams in the City of Lights, Emily Cooper once said, “Paris is the most beautiful city in the world. Everywhere you look, something catches your eye.” So, here’s an idea: why not experience and explore the city through her eyes? You can trace Emily’s steps to some of the series’ most photogenic locations, from the typically Parisian Gabriel’s restaurant, which in real life is called Bistro Terra Nera, to Place de l’Estrapade, the charming and picturesque square with a lovely fountain opposite her apartment in the series and even to main monuments like the Pantheon, where she made the tough decision of breaking up with her American boyfriend over the phone. Emily in Paris may even be a work of fiction, but it captures all the beauty, fashion, and romance of real-life Paris. 💅💗

Photo: Olga in Paris for Flytographer. Meghan and friend capture memories in Paris with a friend’s photoshoot along the Emily in Paris Route.

9. Île St-Louis & Notre Dame

Île Saint-Louis is one of two small islands on the Seine River connected to the rest of the city by four bridges. It’s a charming treasure island with cobblestone pathways, quaint cafes, and restaurants. 🍽️The island is steeped in history and boasts several acclaimed examples of architecture. Among its landmarks are the royal Gothic-style Sainte-Chapelle, renowned for its stained-glass windows, and the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution.

Of course, the most famous attraction on the island is the Notre Dame Cathedral, a world-renowned example of Gothic architecture and the setting of the tale of Esmeralda and Quasimodo. While the landmark is currently under renovation following the tragic fire of 2019, the exterior can still be photographed from various angles, such as across the Seine River, nearby bridges, or the frontal square, Place Jean-Paul II. A visit to Paris is only complete with a stop on this island and a photoshoot in front of this striking Gothic masterpiece. ⛪

10. Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur

Once home to renowned artists like Salvador Dalí, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh, Montmartre is easy to find. The neighbourhood is in northern Paris, sitting atop a hill dominated by the eye-catching, white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur. Although a popular tourist destination, Montmartre still exudes its picturesque, enchanting, and artistic charm. 👩‍🎨 It has a distinct feel from the rest of Paris, with colourful facades lining cobblestone streets. Visitors can enjoy a coffee or snack from a local cafe or boulangerie while admiring the beautiful architecture. 🥐 The vibe is equally lovely day or night.

The beautiful Sacré-Coeur, also known as The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, is a stunning Roman Catholic church on the summit of Montmartre. The elaborate stone stairs leading up to the church provide an irresistible setting for a photo session and should be on any Paris itinerary.

Pro tip: if you want to avoid climbing the stairs, a funicular is available at the base. But the panoramic views of the city from the top make the climb worth it. You’ll feel you’re inside a painting. 🖼️ Well, isn’t that the feeling in Paris, anyway?

Photo: Mary in Paris for Flytographer. Alex and partner capture memories in Paris with a photoshoot at Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur.

Capturing Memories in Paris

The French capital is bursting with so many famous spots and hidden gems to visit that you’ll always have things to do or photos to snap. Take in the remarkable views of Paris while capturing all the amazing memories by booking a photoshoot with one of our Flytographers. 📸 💙