Best Paris Photo Locations — A Photographer's Shortlist

Paris is dense with photo spots, which makes choosing hard. This shortlist groups the best locations by the kind of frame you want, with the time of day that suits each. It’s the list I actually use when planning sessions.

Iconic monuments

• Eiffel Tower — best from Trocadéro at sunrise or through the arches of Pont de Bir-Hakeim. Full guide: Eiffel Tower photo guide.
• Louvre — the glass pyramid from the courtyard, early. See Louvre photoshoot.
• Notre-Dame — across the water on Pont Saint-Louis and the Left Bank quay.

Romantic bridges & river

• Pont Alexandre III — gilded lamps, the most ornate bridge. See the spot.
• Seine — riverside walks and golden hour on the water. See the spot.

Village & green

• Montmartre — cobbled lanes and Sacré-Cœur views. See the spot.
• Luxembourg Gardens — the Medici fountain and quiet lawns. See the spot.
• Palais Royal — Buren’s striped columns for a graphic look. See the spot.

How to choose

• Want the postcard? → Eiffel + Trocadéro.
• Want romance with fewer people? → Pont Alexandre III or Luxembourg.
• Want something editorial? → Palais Royal.
• Want it all in one walk? → a Paris photo tour.

Not sure which fits your trip? Tell me your dates and I’ll suggest a route.