Find the best photo spots in Paris with this photography-focused travel guide. Some of the most Instagram-worthy places in Paris are on this list. These photography locations include Instagram-famous sights, aesthetic restaurants and photo-worthy hotels.
There are so many beautiful photo spots in Paris, it’s hard to capture it all with just one list. This collection of Instagrammable places in Paris will have you off to a great start. Many of these spots are iconic and I find myself returning to them each time I visit Paris.
In no particular order, here are some of my favorite places to take pictures in Paris. With each photo location I include a link to the address on Google Maps. Be sure to save this photographer’s guide to Paris for your next trip!
Where to Take Pictures in Paris
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Best Paris Photo Spots: Sights & Landmarks
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
This bridge offers unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower overlooking the river. Pont de Bir-Hakeim is one of my favorite photo spots I went to on my recent 4-day trip to Paris. And there are some easy ways to get creative here and get a few different types of shots out of one location.
The photos you see here at Pont de Bir-Hakeim are from a sunrise photoshoot. The sun rises in the general direction of the Eiffel Tower. This made me able to capture the beautiful golden light breaking the horizon right alongside the tower.
The lower level of the bridge has a wide center walkway for pedestrians. It’s very spacious so there are no safety concerns when it comes to traffic. // 75015 Paris, France
Photo Tips
Make sure you take advantage of all the angles available here. You’ll see that I have photos with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Also, I took some photos under the bridge walkway since I really like the architecture.
You can also step farther back when trying to get Eiffel Tower shots so you can use the arches of the bridge to frame your shot. I like how some of my photos have the bridge architecture framing the shot, along with the characteristics of the light fixtures peeking in.
Champ de Mars
The massive grassy, garden area extending in front of the Eiffel Tower like a football field is Champ de Mars. It’s hard to not find yourself here at least once, likely a few times. The Eiffel Tower seems to be a magnet when in Paris, it’s hard to stay away.
We all know a trip to Paris is not complete without photos of, and with, the Eiffel Tower. Champ de Mars is undoubtably one of the best Paris photo spots, but it does take a little patience and creativity.
Champ de Mars is always busy, for obvious reasons. If you walk down the center of the grass facing the Eiffel Tower straight on, you will be surrounded by people. To avoid the madness, I use this area to explore different angles. // 2 Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris, France
Photo Tips
Don’t let the crowds deter you completely. There are many paths here to wander off on and find photo spots that are a bit more quiet. I knew I was going to get great shots in other spots that included the full length of the Eiffel Tower.
Therefore at Champ de Mars I wanted to be a bit more creative. You’ll notice my shots are from various angles, most of which only include portions of the Eiffel Tower.
It was fun taking photos here with a more natural and organic approach rather than feeling the need to get one specific shot in one specific spot. The Eiffel Tower is a beauty from all angles so you really can’t go wrong! Go with the flow in this area. I had no expectations and I love how my photos here came out.
Louvre Pyramid
The Louvre Museum is one of the most-visited places in Paris. In front of the Louvre stands the massive glass pyramid. Even if you are not planning to enter the museum, the exterior is a Paris photo spot you should visit.
Like the Eiffel Tower, expect crowds in this area nearly all the time. The good news is that the exterior of the Louvre also has a lot of open area so you can move around and try taking photos from different angles. // 75001 Paris, France
Photo Tips
If you want to avoid the crowds and get the best light, early morning during sunrise is the best time. I wasn’t able to make it the Louvre in the morning. The photos you see here are from the middle of the day.
There were a lot of people around the Louvre pyramid, but I tried a few different things. By posing close to the pyramid I was able to get a good photo without massive crowds. Moving closer to the edge of the fountain allows you to use the pyramid itself to block the scenery around it.
If you want to visit the inside of the museum, I recommend to plan ahead to avoid the lines. Before your trip you can buy this entry ticket with skip-the-line access and a scheduled start time.
Luxembourg Garden
I love a good garden! Luxembourg Garden sits in front of the palace and is perfectly manicured. The colorful array of flowers surrounding the grass makes it one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.
The garden area facing the palace is so beautiful. They even have chairs and benches lining all of the walkways so visitors can hang out and enjoy the scenery. The property and garden area is huge, so there are many different photo spots to take advantage of. // 75006 Paris, France
Photo Tips
A few of my favorite Paris photo spots are within Luxembourg Garden. You’ll see here two very different shots I took at the garden.
One shot features the palace in the background, along with the gorgeous flowers. The second shot is opposite of the first, where there are walkways with trees lining the edges. Depending on the time of the year, the trees may be full of color.
Sacre Coeur
This stunning basilica sits high on top of the Montmartre hill. Sacre Coeur overlooks the city of Paris and on a clear day it appears as if you can see endlessly into the distance. The view alone makes it one of the best photo spots in Paris.
Aside from the view, the basilica itself is photogenic. There is a grassy area out front of the church that makes for a great spot to watch the sunset. // 1 Parvis du Sacré-Cœur, 75018 Paris, France
Photo Tips
Sacre Coeur is huge you can see it from other places besides just the front grass. Explore Montmartre and the perimeter of the church to get cool, unique shots from quiet side streets. If you want to learn more about Sacre Couer and the surrounding area, check out this guided tour.
Le Mur Des Je T’Aime
The Love Wall in Montmartre is a popular sight amongst visitors. With ‘I love You’ written on the wall in 250 different languages, it also makes for a great photo spot in Paris.
Lovers flock here for the romantic sentiment, but art lovers have interest in the creation as well. I think it’s worth a stop for any traveller. The blue tile wall is a beautiful color next to the natural greenery within the park. // Square Jehan Rictus, Place des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, France
Photo Tips
You can stand directly in front of the wall, but it will be you and a hundred other people. You can try coming early in the morning to avoid the crowd.
Otherwise, try shooting a photo from one of the park benches. You’ll see in my photo how I was able to avoid crowds of people my using the bushes to shield that line of sight. Yet you can still view the character of the wall above the plants.
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is a Parisian icon and one of the top photo spots in Paris. Snapping a picture of the bold red exterior is a must when you head to explore the Montmartre area of the city.
The streets are busy around Moulin Rouge. So if you are the type of person who likes to try to get a photo without any cars or people in the shot, this one may take some work. // 82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France
Photo Tips
You can come early in the morning to capture your Instagram-worthy shot of Moulin Rouge and have a better chance of avoiding crowds and traffic. Personally, I don’t even try to fight it when I want to snap a photo in a crazy busy spot like this. The chaos is all part of the area, so I’ve come around to embracing some places in its natural state.
To experience a show at Moulin Rouge you definitely need to plan and book in advance. Here you can check availability for a show at Moulin Rouge with champagne included. If you want to go all out, here you can find tickets to a show including dinner.
Galeries Lafayette Rooftop
One of the best views and photo spots in Paris is completely free to access. The rooftop of Galeries Lafayette has a panoramic view with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
The rooftop provides visitors with one of the most Instagram-worthy views of Paris. From the terrace you will be able to see a number of Paris’ most famous sights and monuments.
Additionally, Galeries Lafayette itself is worth a visit. The flagship store is located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. It’s easy to get lost inside with the wide variety of fashion at your fingertips. // 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
Trocadero
The Trocadéro is one of the most popular photo spots in Paris. This is because it’s located directly across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower. Assuming there are no crowds, the open area offers unobstructed views.
But experiencing no crowds at the Trocadéro is wishful thinking. It’s hard to visit this photo spot without there also being a bunch of other people. The sheer volume of foot traffic here makes it one of my less-favorite photo spots, but I understand if you want to see for yourself. // Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France
Photo Tips
Arrive early. You are not going to be the only person with this idea, but it will make the experience more tolerable. And don’t be afraid to explore the area for your own photo spots; don’t feel tied to the same spot everyone else is fighting for. The Eiffel Tower is beautiful from all angles!
Saint Chapelle
This gothic style royal chapel is nothing short of magical. The stained glass windows alone are something I cannot help but continually drool over. The construction of Sainte Chapelle dates back to 1238—completely blows my mind. This church is magnificent and a must-see photo spot in Paris. // 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
Photo Tips
I’m one of those people who loves to plan ahead to try and make all of my travel experiences as smooth as possible. If you’re like me, you can purchase a skip-the-line entry ticket to Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie here.
Eiffel Tower Second Floor
We all know that the Eiffel Tower makes for one of the best photography locations in Paris, but don’t overlook the view the tower has of the city. You can visit the top of the Eiffel Tower for stunning panoramic views of Paris and some of its iconic sights.
I think that everyone should go to the top of the Eiffel Tower at least once. Personally, I went up the tower on my first trip to Paris but have not done it again on my other trips since. I think it’s a good, one-time experience. // Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Photo Tips
The lines to access the Eiffel Tower can be painfully long, as you can imagine. If you want to take photos from the top of the Eiffel Tower, I highly recommend purchasing a ticket in advance. This ticket gives you priority access to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. And then there is this ticket that gives you Eiffel Tower summit access via the elevator.
Best Paris Photo Spots: Restaurants
Le Consulat Restaurant – Montmartre
The street view of Le Consulat Restaurant in the Montmartre neighborhood has become a super Instagrammable place in Paris. I constantly see images from this Paris photo spot. I understand why—the color, the character, the Parisian charm. It’s all here.
I’ve never put much effort into getting an amazing shot here, I just snap a few photos as I walk by. It was worth adding to the list since I know it’s a spot some people seek. // 18 Rue Norvins, 75018 Paris, France
Photo Tips
The Montmartre neighborhood as a whole is a great Paris photography location. Take time to thoroughly explore this area and you will uncover your own gorgeous photo spots. Check out this walking tour of Montmartre if you want to learn the history and uncover places the locals love.
Pink Mamma
I felt a bit hesitant to include a restaurant space as one of the best photo spots in Paris. Mostly because it makes me feel like I then need to include so many other beautiful Paris interiors.
For this post I felt there is a standout star interior that is easily one of the most Instagrammed places in Paris. This Paris photo list didn’t feel complete without including one of the most beautiful restaurants ever, Pink Mamma.
Pink Mamma has a menu featuring delicious Italian dishes, along with some of my favorite cocktails I had in Paris. The restaurant is located in the Pigalle neighborhood, very close to Moulin Rouge. Every inch of this space is so thoughtfully designed, my creativity was bursting just being in here. // 20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris, France
Photo Tips
There isn’t a corner of Pink Mamma that isn’t photogenic. If seating is available on the top (4th) story, I’d sit there. There is a ton of natural light spilling in from the ceiling and it’s plant heaven.
Le Vrai Paris
This French bistro is something I accidentally found when wandering through the Montmartre neighborhood one afternoon. As soon I you approach Le Vrai Paris, you’ll be stopped in your tracks.
The exterior of the restaurant is the definition of an Instagram-worthy place in Paris. Bundles of purple flowers decorate the facade making for a perfect backdrop. I cannot speak to the food, but I sat down outside for a drink and it was a lovely experience. // 33 Rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, France
Best Paris Photo Spots: Hotels
If you want to stay in a beautiful, photogenic hotel in Paris, look no further! Below are some Paris hotels with stunning interior design or killer views. I’m so inspired by my environment, so staying in pretty places is an aspect of travel that I like to treat myself with every now and then. These properties make for pretty photography locations in Paris.
- HOTEL PROVIDENCE // This boutique hotel is decked out with rich color, intricate patterns and vintage touches. The property is in the 10th arrondissement of Paris and is small and intimate, with only 18 rooms. Click here to see photos and prices.
- THE HOXTON PARIS // I’m a huge fan of Hoxton hotels in general. The design is always so thoughtful, hip and trendy. I haven’t stayed at the Paris Hoxton, but I spent a week at The Hoxton in London and it was the BEST. The Paris property looks just as gorgeous and their service is stellar. Click here to see photos and prices.
- HOTEL BEAUMARCHAIS // I found Hotel Beaumarchais by chance when exploring Le Marais on foot and immediately fell in love. This property has a pretty, classic French vibe to it. I adore the exterior, all of the color accents, and the lovely wallpaper. Click here to see photos and prices.
Camera Gear Used for Paris Photos
Below I’m sharing all of the camera gear I had with me on my trip to Paris. These are my go-to photography items that I use on most of my trips.
- CAMERA BODY: You won’t catch me traveling without my Sony camera. It’s my BFF and we are going 2.5 years strong together.
- SONY 24-70mm F2.8 LENS: This is my favorite lens without a doubt. If I’m going on a trip and only carrying one lens, this will always be my first choice.
- TRAVEL CAMERA BACKPACK: I’ve had this travel camera backpack for about a year now and it has changed travel for me. Having a solid backpack that is made specifically for travel photography is something I lagged on. Never turning back now!
- PORTABLE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE: I couldn’t live without this thing. It’s portable, durable, shock/drop/weather resistant—all of the things I need when I’m on the move and need to back up my photos.
- PORTABLE CHARGER: I need one of these in my bag at all times since I’m constantly draining my phone battery while traveling. This is photography-related for me because I do shoot a lot of photo and video on my phone as well.
- HIGH-QUALITY CAMERA STRAP: This is another purchase I drug my feet on for soooo long. I didn’t want to spend “a lot” of money on a camera strap, it didn’t seem like a priority. Well, I finally got this one and it has changed travel for me. Carrying my camera around for 8+ hours a day is now so much more tolerable and comfortable.
