21 Best Photo Spots in Paris

Hello Paris lovers! The City of Lights is hands down one of the most photographed cities in the world and it’s so easy to see why. It easily tops the list with cities like Venice, San Francisco, and Prague (just to name a few of my faves). From the Eiffel Tower views around the city to whimsical little side streets, I was definitely a bit snap-happy (and also ready to Instagram a photo every 2 minutes) as I made my way through Paris.

In any case, I put together a guide for the best photo spots in Paris…some will be the obvious photo spots that you can find in every guide (and for good reason), but I tried to include a few hidden gems for you too.

If you’ve already ticked off these epic Paris bucket list activities, my favorite way to discover a city is by scouting out the most epic photography spots. I hope you enjoy exploring Paris via photos as much as I did – it’s truly a unique city!

This post many contain affiliate links.

Overview of the Best Photo Spots in Paris

This section is a quick reference guide for you on the best photo spots in Paris. Scroll to each section to get all the great details behind the shot.

  1. Eiffel Tower
  2. The Louvre Courtyard
  3. Champs Elysees
  4. Arc de Triomphe
  5. Tuileries Gardens
  6. Sainte Chapelle
  7. Notre Dame
  8. Rue St Severin
  9. Carousel at the foot of Trocadero Gardens
  10. Moulin Rouge
  11. Sacre Couer
  12. Love Locks
  13. Le Consultat Cafe
  14. Pont Alexander III
  15. Rue Cremieux
  16. Montmartre Cafes
  17. Shakespeare & Co Bookstore
  18. Macaroon Shops
  19. Place de la Concorde
  20. Eiffel Tower from Pont de Bir-Hakeim
  21. Pastry Store

1 | Eiffel Tower

If you don’t have a shot of the Eiffel Tower, have you really even been to Paris? It’s going to be on every photo location guide and city guide and for good reason. Even if you don’t like crowds, suck it up; sunset at the Eiffel Tower was when I truly felt like I was in Paris.  Invest in a Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Summit Access ticket if you want to get some sweet views from above! This is clearly one of the best photo spots in Paris…especially at sunset!

Eiffel Tower at sunset

2 | The Louvre from the Courtyard

The courtyard of the Louvre with its pyramid is another iconic photo location in Paris. Even if you don’t have time for the museum, make sure to swing by for the photo op! I’d recommend checking out the art if you have time…for busy times of year (summer), beat the other tourists with a Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket to the Louvre.

the pyramids by the Louvre

3 | Champs Elysees

Champs Elysees is quite possibly the most famous street in the world, and we both know you’re going to end up here at some point. I went during the day (do not repeat my mistakes)…very crowded and a ton of cars. The plus side was discovering a fantastic macaroon shop, Laduree. I learned that macaroons make everything better.

Champs Elysees from the middle of the road

4 | Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is the crowning jewel of the Champs Elysees. Note that to get to the Arc, there’s an underground passage. Please do not try and run across all of that traffic…it will not go well. Check out a Skip-the-Line Arc de Triomphe Rooftop ticket to avoid the crowds.

Arc de Triomphe lit up at night
Are these dream travel destinations on your bucket list? Discover the hidden gems that are seriously dream vacation destinations…and start packing!

Like this post?! How about…

30 Dream Travel Destinations Around the World

5 | Tuileries Gardens

Aside from having a spontaneous photoshoot there, the gardens are also a beautiful spot to bring lunch or a book. They’re right in the middle of everything, so whenever you decide to rejoin the hustle and bustle, you’re right there. Also, there’s a goat that lives there (not sure if that sways you one way or another, but figured it would be good to mention).

Tuileries Gardens

6 | Sainte Chapelle

Visit Sainte Chapelle on a sunny day so you can see all of the beautiful colors streaming through the stained glass windows! For a bit of history, try out the self-guided tour to the cathedral. I loved the ambiance here and you can see why it is one of the best photo spots in Paris.

Saint Chapelle

7 | Notre Dame

Notre Dame is definitely another iconic name when you think of Paris, and for good reason. You can snap a photo from the banks of the Seine, head up to one of the bell towers and check out the views from above, or just shoot straight on. I’d recommend walking around it and viewing all the angles.

Polaroid photo of Notre Dame in front of Notre Dame

8 | Rue St Severin

During the day, this area can be a bit of a madhouse due to its proximity to Notre Dame. Go later on in the day or early morning, and you can enjoy the quaint little cafes and creperies. I also definitely got gelato there one afternoon when it was about 100 degrees out.

Rue St Severin creperie shop

9 | Carousel at the foot of Trocadero Gardens

This was one I just stumbled on…it gives you an old school inspired shot of Paris with a touch of childhood magic. For me, this was definitely one of the best photo spots in Paris.

Carousel at the foot of Trocadero Gardens with the Eiffel Tower in the background

10 | Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge is a lot of fun…it’s a little grimier than the main tourist areas, but definitely worth a visit. You can combine it with your trip to Montmartre and Sacre Couer, as it’s a quick shot from there.  Even better, partake in a Moulin Rouge show (with champagne!) one evening. If you’re considering seeing a show while in Paris (and you definitely should!), check out this guide to Paris cabaret shows. My only regret now is not being able to see all of them!

Moulin Rouge windmill

11 | Sacre Couer

You can get one of the best views of Paris from Sacre Couer. I’d recommend climbing up at night; you can see why Paris is called the city of lights! Plus, the beauty of Sacre Couer itself doesn’t hurt either…it was a welcome sight after climbing up the hill. For an expert tour of Sacre Couer and neighboring Montmartre, try out a quick guided tour. I’d highly recommend checking it out at night and enjoying one of the best photo spots in Paris!

Sacre Couer beautifully lit up at night

12 | Love Locks

Any new city I visit, I look for locks of love along the various bridges. This specific bridge definitely one of the best photo spots in Paris (though the look changes over time if locks are cut down).

love locks on Paris bridge

13 | Le Consultat CafΓ©

You can find this picturesque cafΓ© in Montmartre on the way up to Sacre Couer. I had just eaten a baguette right before walking by, so sadly didn’t have any more room in my stomach to try the food. Based purely on how cute the awning is though, I’m sure it’s delicious.

Le Consultat CafΓ© in Montmartre, Paris

14 | Pont Alexander III

This is my favorite bridge in Paris with its old school lights and elegant structure. You can see why it belongs on the list of the best photo spots in Paris.

Pont Alexander III Bridge in Paris at dusk

15 | Rue Cremieux

Rue Cremieux is quite possibly the most Instagrammable street in Paris. With its pink, purple, and green houses, you can’t help but have a photo shoot on the front steps of these houses. I’m such a sucker for colorful houses, that after a day of Paris’s typical gray and brown architecture, I fell head over heels for this street.

Rue Cremieux colorful houses

16 | Any CafΓ© in Montmartre

I have a thing for cafes, I’m just addicted to them…both photographing them and eating in them. The Montmartre neighborhood of Paris has no shortage of adorable little places to eat.

Le Petit Parisien CafΓ© in Montmartre, Paris

17 | Shakespeare & Co Bookstore

Kind of like cafes, I’m a lover of books and bookshops. Basically, my ideal life would be some kind of mash-up of the two and I’d live happily ever after there. Shakespeare & Co has new and used books and is quite simply adorable.

Shakespeare & Co Bookstore in Paris

18 | ALL of the Macaroon Shops

If you go macaroon hunting in Paris, you will not be disappointed. Not only will your taste buds be doing a happy dance, but the shops have the most colorful macaroons in the world. My favorite is when they make colorful macaroon towers!

colorful macaroon tower in Paris

19 | Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is between the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe, so you might as well make a stop, am I right? The most photographed part seems to be the obelisk, but I personally loved the fountain. Must be the mermaid in me… Paris does have a TON of walking, so a hop-on, hop-off bus tour is an easy way to see the city!

Place de la Concorde fountain - Polaroid of the fountain in front of the fountain itself

20 | View of the Eiffel Tower from Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Movie buffs might recognize this as the bridge from Inception, but not only is it a movie-famous location, but you also get a unique angle of the Eiffel Tower. You have a little more distance from the Eiffel Tower to really take in the view; for me, this belonged on the list of the best photo spots in Paris.

View of the Eiffel Tower from Pont de Bir-Hakeim

21 | Pastry Store

Not to confuse this with the macaroon store above, a pastry shop has ALL kinds of pastries, from lava cakes to soufflΓ©s to crΓ¨me brΓ»lΓ©es. I’m a sucker for any colorful cakes (like this one!) Side note: I actually became a French pastry chef for an afternoon and helped make this!!

French pastry that I baked (strawberry cake)

Other Paris Activities I’d Recommend:

Taking photos all day and night can be an exhausting endeavor, so make sure to treat yourself with some awesome Paris activities! After snapping pics of all the best photo spots in Paris, here are a few of my recommendations on how to enjoy the city:

  • Seine River Cruise with Dinner –There’s no better way to see Paris that cruising along the river. Even better, it comes with dinner!
  • Murder Mysteries Walking Tour – Visit the dark side of Paris’ history that lurks beneath its picturesque faΓ§ade. Discover its long history of gruesome executions, torture, and the reign of terror.
  • Segway Tour –Pressed for time? See highlights of Paris in two hours on this awesome Segway tour!
  • Paris Catacombs –If you’re into spooky things, you have to check out the Paris Catacombs and learn about the fascinating ways the city has dealt with its deceased.
  • Palace of Versailles –This ticket sets up your transfer and lets you skip the line…definitely worth checking out!

Flights to Paris

I’d recommend searching through eDreams.net. They scan tons of different travel discount sites and feature special flight deals. Fly into Paris, and it’s just a short metro ride into the city! This handy metro map is incredibly helpful – I used it to map out my route from the airport to Gare du Nord.

Where to Stay in Paris

Budget: Since I was traveling solo, I personally opted to stay in a hostel to make some friends! I absolutely loved St. Christopher’s Gare du Nord ; it has an awesome location by the train station, good prices, and a super fun hostel bar.

Mid-Range: Another cool option is to stay in the Latin Quarter of the city at the Familia Hotel. The 5th arrondissement is a great choice for travelers interested in foodhistory and art.

Higher-End: For families and couples that want the location, stay in the heart of Paris at the Hoxton. Not only do you get a top location, but you can enjoy a beautiful courtyard, and the hotel is a great value for your money.

Local Stay: If I could do it all again, I’d opt for this scenic apartment with epic views overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Not only do you enjoy stunning sights, but you can take full advantage of the luxurious marble and gold bathroom – nothing beats a lavish shower after a day of exploring all that Paris has to offer!

Plum Guide apartment - view of the Eiffel Tower
Image: Plum Guide

Paris Resources

So, I hope you found this guide on best photo spots in Paris helpful. If you haven’t been, Paris should definitely be on your bucket list!  Tell meβ€”have you visited Paris and loved it as much as me? Let me know some of your other favorite photo spots in the comments!

Pin for Later!

Explore More Epic European Destinations!

32 Comments

  1. Yep Paris could possibly be the most beautiful city in the world – all your photos are amazing and make me want to return right this second to the city of love πŸ˜‰ My personal favourite spot for photos is from the top of the Arc de Triomphe which you mentioned! Fantastic views of the city and the Eiffel tower πŸ™‚

  2. Great tips! #19 Place de la Concorde brought back childhood memories for me. I used to go there a lot with my family. And they will have some crepe stands with hot chocolate syrup and hot jam. OmG

  3. I’ve always thought the only way to a bad photo of Paris, was to be absolutely horrible at photography lol. Paris really is one of the beautiful cities in the world!! And the food is alright too πŸ˜‰

  4. You have found some incredible spots around the city and that’s reflected in your beautiful photos! Paris is fantastic – especially when the weather is nice! Love the look of Rue Cremieux – I have never heard of it before and looks like I need to visit on my next visit! Stunning shots! Thanks for sharing

    1. I actually helped make that one! I took a pastry making class with Cook’n with class (www.cooknwithclass.com) and that was one of the many desserts we made (and ate!) I would definitely recommend checking them out, I had an awesome time with them!

  5. I’ve only been to Paris once, and it was only for 3 days. Way too short!!! Love this little photo op guide. MUST GET BACK TO PARIS!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.