Paris is one of those cities where there's a photo opportunity around almost every corner - from the classic Eiffel Tower views to pastel streets, elegant bridges and hidden courtyards. But knowing where to take photos in Paris (and when to visit to avoid the crowds) can make all the difference.
In this guide to the best photo spots in Paris, I've brought together the city's most iconic photography locations alongside quieter corners worth adding to your itinerary. Whether you're looking for the most Instagrammable places in Paris, beautiful backdrops for portraits or somewhere different to capture the city, you'll find the locations, photography tips and planning advice to help you make the most of your visit.
Quick Tips for Visiting Paris's Best Photo Spots
A few things I've learned that make the best places to take photos in Paris much easier to enjoy:
- Best time to visit: Early morning is often best for popular landmarks, while late afternoon and sunset can be better for enjoying the city's atmosphere. Season, weather and local events all make a difference, so keep your plans flexible.
- Avoiding crowds: Arriving early can help at the big landmarks, and weekdays are often a little less busy than weekends, though this varies with the season and weather.
- Walking distances: Many spots cluster together, so group them by area rather than zig-zagging across the city. The Metro is quick, but I always end up walking more than I planned, so comfortable shoes are a must.
- Respectful photography: Places like Rue Crémieux are real residential streets. Keep your voice down, don't block doorways and be mindful of people living there.
- Check opening hours: Gardens, rooftops and museums change their hours through the year and can close for weather, maintenance or events, so confirm before you go.
The Most Iconic Photo Spots in Paris
These are the famous Paris photography spots that belong on any first-time itinerary. They're busy for a reason, and a little planning makes them far more enjoyable.
1. Trocadéro: The Classic Eiffel Tower View
If there's one view that belongs on any Paris itinerary, it's the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro. The elevated terrace offers that instantly recognisable panorama, with the tower rising above the gardens and fountains below. It's easily one of the best Eiffel Tower photo spots, and the answer to where to take photos of the Eiffel Tower if you only have time for one.
- Where: Place du Trocadéro, 16th arrondissement
- Best time: Around sunrise for a quieter experience, or golden hour for warm light
- What to expect: Free, and very busy later in the day
- Nearby: Walk down through the gardens and across the Seine to the Eiffel Tower itself
- My tip: Don't stop at the terrace: walk down through the gardens towards the fountains and approach the tower from different angles for fresh perspectives. Check the sunrise time for your dates, and allow time to explore beyond the main terrace. I always find the gardens give some of the most interesting angles.
2. A More Cinematic Angle
This iron bridge frames the tower through its arches and feels more atmospheric than the standard postcard view. It's one of the best places to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris from a different angle.
- Where: Crossing the Seine between the 15th and 16th arrondissements
- Best time: Early morning or just after sunset
- What to expect: Free, and it can get busy with visitors and organised shoots, so think of it as an alternative viewpoint that may feel less crowded than Trocadéro
- Nearby: Combine with Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower in one morning
- My tip: For a symmetrical view, pause mid-bridge where it's safe to do so, then wander down to the steps below for a different perspective. It's a working bridge, so keep clear of pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Pont Alexandre III: Gilded and Romantic
With ornate lamps, golden statues and the Seine stretching away, this ranks among the prettiest places in Paris and among the best romantic places in Paris for a sunset stroll.
- Where: Between the Champs-Élysées and Les Invalides, 7th and 8th arrondissements
- Best time: Early morning for soft light, or dusk when the lamps glow
- What to expect: Free, and a popular stop, especially around sunset
- Nearby: Grand Palais and Petit Palais are a short walk away
- My tip: Walk the full length of the bridge and look back at both sides. It's the kind of place I'd happily return to.
4. The Louvre Pyramid and Courtyard
The glass pyramid set against the grand palace walls is a classic Paris scene, and you don't need a museum ticket to enjoy the courtyard.
- Where: Cour Napoléon, 1st arrondissement
- Best time: Early morning or blue hour, when the pyramid is lit up
- What to expect: Free to photograph the courtyard, but busy during the day
- Nearby: Tuileries Garden and Palais Royal are both close by
- My tip: Come around dusk or early evening if you can. It tends to feel calmer and the lighting is lovely, but the courtyard isn't open all night.
- Official hours: The official Louvre hours page currently lists the Cour Napoléon as open from 7:30am to 9pm, but hours can vary, so check before you go.
5. Arc de Triomphe Rooftop
Climbing to the top rewards you with a sweeping view of the twelve avenues radiating out from the arch, with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
- Where: Place Charles de Gaulle, 8th arrondissement
- Best time: Late afternoon into sunset
- What to expect: Paid entry, a spiral staircase climb and a worthwhile view
- Nearby: Walk down the Champs-Élysées
- My tip: Book ahead if possible and use the underpass to reach the arch, as crossing the roundabout isn't an option.
The Most Instagrammable Places in Paris
Looking for the most Instagrammable places in Paris? These pretty corners are made for scrolling, saving and sharing.
6. Rue Crémieux
Pastel-coloured townhouses along a short cobbled lane make this a contender for the most Instagrammable streets in Paris, and a favourite for anyone hunting the most beautiful streets in Paris.
- Where: Rue Crémieux, 12th arrondissement, near Gare de Lyon
- Best time: Early morning, before the crowds build
- What to expect: Free, tiny and popular, so it's a quick stop rather than a long visit
- Nearby: Coulée verte René-Dumont, an elevated walkway, and Gare de Lyon
- My tip: This is a residential street, so please be respectful. Check for any current local restrictions or signs, and respect residents' requests about photography.
7. Montmartre and Sacré- Cœur
Winding streets, ivy-covered cafés and the white-domed basilica above the steps make Montmartre one of the best places to take photos in Montmartre and in Paris as a whole.
- Where: 18th arrondissement, on the hill above the city
- Best time: Early morning, before the day-trippers arrive
- What to expect: Free to wander, lively in the afternoon
- Nearby: Place du Tertre and the Montmartre vineyard
- My tip: Wander down Rue de l'Abreuvoir for a picture-perfect scene with far fewer people than the main square.
8. Palais Royal and the Colonnes de Buren
The black-and-white striped columns in the courtyard are a playful, graphic backdrop, and the surrounding arcades and gardens are elegant and calm.
- Where: Place Colette, 1st arrondissement
- Best time: Morning, when the light is soft and the courtyard is quieter
- What to expect: Free and popular, but easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace
- Nearby: The Louvre and Passage des Panoramas
- My tip: Take a break in the garden afterwards. It's a lovely spot to sit and watch Paris go by.
Beautiful Hidden Gems in Paris
These hidden photo spots in Paris tend to feel calmer than the big landmarks, which suits me. They're a good option if you want somewhere away from the crowds.
9. Passage des Panoramas
One of the oldest covered arcades in the city, with vintage shopfronts, tearooms and warm lighting. It's a lovely stop on a rainy day.
- Where: 2nd arrondissement, off Boulevard Montmartre
- Best time: Morning or on a drizzly afternoon
- What to expect: Free, atmospheric and sheltered from the weather, though it's an active arcade with shops and eateries
- Nearby: Palais Royal and the Grands Boulevards
- My tip: Look up as well as ahead, as the glass roof and signage are half the charm.
10. Place des Vosges
Symmetrical red-brick arcades surround a calm garden, making this one of the most elegant squares in Paris and a beautiful place in Paris for photos without the queues.
- Where: Le Marais, 3rd and 4th arrondissements
- Best time: Early morning, when it's often more relaxed
- What to expect: Free and popular, especially in good weather, though often more relaxed early in the morning
- Nearby: The Marais boutiques, cafés and the Picasso Museum
- My tip: Walk under the arcades and look outwards for framed views. I'd come back here for a morning coffee.
11. Pont Neuf & Square du Vert-Galant
Despite its name, Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge in Paris, with broad stone arches and little rounded alcoves above the river. Steps lead down from the middle of the bridge to the Square du Vert-Galant, a leafy point at the tip of Île de la Cité where you can look along the Seine at water level. It's a graceful, atmospheric spot and one of the more romantic places in Paris as the light turns golden.
- Where: Île de la Cité, 1st arrondissement, with the park at the western tip of the island.
- Best time: Early morning for soft light on the water, or late afternoon into sunset when the stone glows.
- What to expect: Free. The bridge is a working road crossing, so keep clear of traffic, while the small park below usually feels more relaxed. It can close when the river is high, so check before you go.
- Nearby: Pont des Arts is a short walk along the Seine, and Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie are close by.
- My tip: Take the steps down to the park, then turn back and look up at the arches. I meant to stay for ten minutes and ended up lingering far longer.
Unique Places to Take Photos in Paris
For something a little different from the usual streets and bridges, try these.
12. Galeries Lafayette Rooftop
Step inside to see the stained-glass dome, then head up to the free rooftop terrace for a surprising view over the city, including the Opéra Garnier and the Eiffel Tower.
- Where: Boulevard Haussmann, 9th arrondissement
- Best time: Late afternoon, for warm light over the rooftops
- What to expect: Free to visit, though the terrace may close temporarily in bad weather
- Nearby: Palais Garnier and the Opéra district
- My tip: Combine it with a bit of window shopping. It also counts among the free photo spots in Paris.
- Official info: Check the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann visitor information before making a special journey. The terrace is free, but it can close temporarily in bad weather.
13. The Musée d'Orsay Clock
The giant glass clock window frames the city beyond, with Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur in the distance. It's a striking spot, set inside a former railway station.
- Where: Musée d'Orsay, 7th arrondissement
- Best time: Early in the day or later in the afternoon, when it's quieter
- What to expect: Paid museum entry, and photography rules can vary
- Nearby: The Seine, Pont Royal and the Tuileries Garden
- My tip: Allow time to enjoy the museum itself. The clock is a highlight, but there's much more to see.
The Best Photo Spots in Paris at Sunrise
If you can face an early alarm, the best Paris photo spots at sunrise can be wonderfully peaceful and soft-lit, with far fewer people around. Trocadéro, Pont de Bir-Hakeim and Montmartre are all worth an early start, and these two make good additions. Check sunrise times for your dates, and opening hours for anywhere with gates.
14. Pont des Arts
This pedestrian bridge looks across the Seine to the Île de la Cité and the dome of the Institut de France, and it can feel wonderfully calm at first light.
- Where: Between the Louvre and the Institut de France, 1st and 6th arrondissements
- Best time: Sunrise, when the river is often still and the quays are calmer
- What to expect: Free, with plenty of people later in the day
- Nearby: Pont Neuf, Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter
- My tip: Take a flask of coffee and enjoy the view. Paris at that hour feels like a different city.
15. Jardin du Luxembourg
Tree-lined paths, the grand fountain and the Palais du Luxembourg make this a restful stop among the pretty places to visit in Paris, particularly in the soft early light.
- Where: 6th arrondissement, Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Best time: Early morning, as soon as the gardens open, which may be after sunrise
- What to expect: Free, calm and popular with locals
- Nearby: Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Panthéon
- My tip: The official website updates opening hours throughout the year, so confirm the gardens are open before you plan a sunrise visit.
- Official hours: The Jardin du Luxembourg opening hours page is updated through the year, with hours changing on the 1st and 16th of each month.
Paris Photo Spots Map & Suggested Routes
How to use the map: Save it to your phone before you travel and download it for offline use, so it still works without mobile data. Group the pins by area to see which spots sit close together, and plan each outing around one or two neighbourhoods rather than crossing the city repeatedly. Star the places you most want to see, and check opening hours for anything ticketed or gated before you set off.
A Full Day Sightseeing Route (with travel times)
This is a full day of sightseeing rather than a relaxed stroll. Visiting every stop, taking photos, stopping for lunch and travelling between areas takes longer than you'd expect, and seeing all 15 properly in one day isn't realistic. Drop a stop or two if you'd rather take it slowly.
- Early morning: Pont de Bir-Hakeim, then walk about 10 to 15 minutes along the Seine to Trocadéro for the Eiffel Tower views.
- Mid-morning: Trocadéro to Pont Alexandre III is around 2 km. Allow 25 to 30 minutes on foot, or take a short Metro or taxi ride.
- Late morning: Pont Alexandre III to the Louvre courtyard is another 2 km or so, about 25 to 30 minutes on foot through the Tuileries Garden or a short Metro ride. The Louvre courtyard and Palais Royal are only a few minutes' walk apart, so combine them, then stop for lunch nearby.
- Afternoon: Palais Royal to Passage des Panoramas is roughly a 15-minute walk, and Passage des Panoramas to the Galeries Lafayette rooftop is about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. The rooftop is free but may close temporarily in bad weather.
- Sunset: This is the biggest cross-city move of the day. Galeries Lafayette to Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur is roughly 3 km, so allow around 25 to 30 minutes by Metro including the walk to and from the stations, or longer on foot because of the hill.
Travel times are my approximate estimates from distances, so check them in your map app on the day.
Prefer a less hectic day? Pick one theme instead: the Eiffel Tower viewpoints and central Paris (Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, Pont Alexandre III, the Louvre courtyard, Palais Royal and Pont Neuf), or Montmartre and the eastern neighbourhoods (Montmartre, Place des Vosges and Rue Crémieux). If you have a second day, save Pont des Arts and Jardin du Luxembourg for an early start, checking the garden's hours first.
Ticketed stops: The Arc de Triomphe rooftop, the Musée d'Orsay clock and other ticketed attractions are best planned around opening hours and admission, rather than treated as spontaneous stops. That's why they're left out of the route above.
Paris Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you take photos of the Eiffel Tower? Trocadéro is the classic view. Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a more atmospheric alternative, and the Galeries Lafayette rooftop and the Arc de Triomphe give you the tower in the distance.
What are the best free photo spots in Paris? Most places in this guide are free, including Trocadéro, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Pont Alexandre III, Montmartre, Place des Vosges, Pont Neuf and the Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace.
What is the best time to visit Paris's photo spots? Early morning is often best for popular landmarks, while late afternoon and sunset can be better for enjoying the city's atmosphere. It varies with the season, weather and location, so check opening hours too.
Where are the most Instagrammable places in Paris? Rue Crémieux, Montmartre, Palais Royal and Pont Alexandre III are among the most popular. Go early to avoid the busiest times.
Final Thoughts
The best photo spots in Paris aren't only the famous landmarks. They're the quiet bridges, pretty streets and little corners you stumble upon when you give yourself time to wander. I hope this guide helps you plan your trip, and if you have a favourite spot I've missed, let me know in the comments. I'd love to add it to my next visit.