Paris is hands down the most photogenic city in the world. It is hardly surprising that it’s impossible not to be snap-happy all the time! Every street is worth getting your camera out for so my best tip would be to always keep one handy. We’ve made your job a lot easier by listing the best photo locations in Paris. They’re so beautiful that I’ve even seen locals stopping to capture a quick snap! These will be the shots that you’ll look back on in years to come and reminisce over. Here’s where to capture the most iconic shots of Paris.
The Louvre photographed from the courtyard
There really is only one place to capture the magnificence of the Louvre. That is, of course, the courtyard in front of the pyramid. Old and new come together in one photo with the historic former palace in the background and the modern glass pyramid in the foreground. I always like to visit in the early hours of the morning. There will be fewer crowds and a beautiful soft morning glow.
Pont Alexandre III
Pont Alexandre III is the most ornate bridge in Paris. It’s painted a pastel blue hue and is decorated with grandiose lampposts, cherubs and nymphs. Standing on the left bank of the river with the bridge in the background makes for a beautiful photo. Another great frame is with the Eifel Tower in the background. I especially love coming here to watch the sunset over the city.
The Eiffel Tower from Place de Trocadéro
This square will provide you with your most iconic photo of Paris. You will be able to photograph a perfectly framed shot of the Eiffel Tower. Moreover, you will have the Trocadéro Fountains in the foreground. It’s often flooded with tourists trying to get that perfect shot and often ruining your own so it’s definitely worth arriving at an off-peak hour. My recommendation would be to get there at sunrise, having the Eiffel Tower all to yourself is enough enticement to get anyone out of bed at the crack of dawn.
Atop Notre Dame
The panorama from the Notre Dame cathedral covers most of the left bank. From up here you can share the view that the gargoyles get to enjoy every day. The best capture is the aerial view over the Seine and the Haussmannian architecture of St Germain.
Pont des Arts
Aptly named the bridge of Arts, this bridge links the Louvre museum and the Institut de France. It is more famously referred to as lover’s bridge due to a recent tradition of sweethearts attaching padlocks to the rails and throwing the key into the Seine as a declaration of love. Sadly this tradition is no longer as all of the padlocks have recently been removed. The bridge and its iconic surroundings still provide a wonderful spot for a photo.
Sacré Coeur
The white dome of the basilica pierces the Parisian sky and can be seen all over the city if you look hard enough. The best shot can be taken from the bottom of the stairs leading up to it.
Pont Neuf taken from Pont Saint-Michel
There are dozens of bridges spanning the river Seine and the view from any one of them is sure to provide a pretty photo. If you stand on Pont Saint-Michel you get a beautiful photo of the river with the historic Pont Neuf bridge in the distance. Turn around and you’ll get an equally good shot of Notre Dame cathedral.
Carousel
The carousel at the foot of the Trocadéro gardens creates the most magical and whimsical photo. It takes quite a bit of moving around to position the frame but you can get a breathtaking photo of the carousel and the Eiffel Tower in the same shot.
Atop Arc de Triomphe
Views atop the Arc de Triomphe are pretty phenomenal. The twelve avenues stretch out from the roundabout below demonstrating the symmetry of the city. You can see all the way down the Champs-Elysées until the Louvre. But the best thing about the view is the Eiffel Tower which proudly peeps above the Parisian rooftops.
Notre Dame taken from Ile St Louis
Notre Dame is a symbol of Gothic architecture in Paris. The best angle of the monument can be taken on Île St Louis which offers a great view over the Seine towards the cathedral with some greenery in the foreground.
Photography and words by Faye Bullock