Top 23 Best Photo Spots In Paris (with a Map to Locate Them)

Thousands of pictures are taken everywhere every minute in the Capital; from the Trocadero to some quieter and less crowded places, photo spots only require to be found and photographed.

 

 

1) The Trocadéro

The Trocadéro Esplanade

This famous place and its esplanade give you a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower on the other bank.

However, this place attracts tourists who all want a picture of the key French monument.

Our advice: get there early in the morning

 

2) The Louvre Pyramid

The Louvre Pyramid

This modern architecture made in glass, located at the museum entrance, has become a monument of its own.

This Pyramid of Cheops’s miniature still fascinates millions of tourists who all want a photo of its glass panels.

 

3) The Montparnasse Tower

Panorama from the Tour Montparnasse

More specifically the last floor of the tower where you can find a rooftop terrace which gives you a 360° breathtaking panorama of the capital.

This panoramic view allows you to catch sight of the most gorgeous Parisian monuments among which is the Eiffel Tower – which is located very close by.

 

4) The Arc de Triomphe Top

Arc de Triomphe

Very often underestimated, reaching the top of the Triumphal arch provides you with a stunning view of the world’s most beautiful avenue, The Champs-Elysées!
But that’s not all! More than 12 avenues start from the Place Charles de Gaulle where the Arch is located.

You can enjoy the scenery during the day as well as the sunset on the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the business district of la Défense in the evening.

 

5) Les Colonnes de Buren (The Buren’s Columns)

The Buren's Columns

These famous columns are located in the Palais Royal’s court and are more widely known as the “Deux Plateaux”. They are very well-liked by the public which is always there to contemplate this surprising architectural work.

 

6) The Playground Duperré

The Duperre Playground

This basketball court is surrounded by two recently renovated buildings and now serves many purposes; you can enjoy watching a basketball game or simply take pleasure in the aesthetic and pastel-coloured street art.

 

7) The “I Love You” Wall

The "I Love You" Wall
Photo Credits: ConstantineD under Creative Commons 2.0

Located in the Montmartre Quarter, in the Abesses small park’s square, this tiled-Wall is embellished with some handwritten “I Love You” words in more than 300 languages.

Despite the fact that the wall is only 430.5 ft2, this art piece attracts many tourists and Instagrammers.

 

8) The Luxembourg Gardens

Luxembourg Gardens

In the Latin Quarter, you will find a beautiful garden inspired by the Italian architecture of Florence, in which even a simple walk can be pleasant.

The many statues throughout the garden and its fountain create a relaxing atmosphere bordered by nature.

An ideal place for a bucolic picture!

 

9) Garden of Plants

Garden of Plants - Greenhouses

These greenhouses found in the Jardin des Plantes in the Latin Quarter allow you to discover new vegetal species spread over five majestic metallic structured greenhouses.

The exotic environment, created in the heart of the capital, guarantees new surroundings which are very distinct from the usual Parisian urban life.

 

10) The Parc de la Villette

The Parc de la Vilette Geode

The biggest park in the capital offers you 55 hectares to admire the adjacent wildlife the flora in its gardens as well as its original structures.

You can also find some exhibits and shows throughout the year.
The Geode structure is very photogenic.

 

11) The Square Rapp

The Square Rapp
Photo Credits: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra under Creative Commons 2.0

In a dead-end in the 7e arrondissement, you might stumble across this square, enclosed between four picturesque buildings, which gives you an unmatched view of the Eiffel Tower.

This type of architecture appears all along the Avenue de Rapp, presenting some magnificent exteriors and uniquely decorated gates.

 

12) The Place Dauphine

The Place Dauphinne
Koudkeu / CC BY-SA

This lovely triangular square in the 1st arrondissement managed to stay charming without the presence of too many tourists. Its peace will give you some cute village vibes with a pretty view on the Cour de la Justice.

 

13) The Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d'Orsay

The renowned national museum established in the old train station has one of the most exquisite structures -which was produced by three different artists. The museum has a strong and unique character shown through its pavilion, its glass-made corridors and its auditorium.

Don’t forget to take a picture of the clock!

 

14) The Louis Vuitton Foundation

The Louis Vuitton Foundation
Photo Credits: Fred Romero under Creative Commons 2.0

This modern museum structure located in the Bois de Boulogne is a rare piece of artwork. The building combines glass with some innovating technologies which will catch your attention.

 

15) The Grand Palais

The Grand Palais
Photo Credits: Julien Chatelain under Creative Commons 2.0

Hosting the Fashion Week runaways shows and some other events with its artistic architecture, the Grand Palais is famous for its glass-domed roof, the largest one in Europe.

You can appreciate the stunning decorations -all the more impressive during the Christmas season- and its temporary ice rink.

Very photogenic.

 

16) The Sacré-Coeur Basilica

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica

This well-known church with its splendid domes and its stone arches overlooks the pretty Montmartre Quarter. Very much liked by tourists, this place is always crowded so you might find it difficult to take the perfect shot.

The large stairs right underneath the basilica are also very popular.

 

17) The Galerie Vivienne

The Galerie Vivienne

In the 2nd arrondissement, this covered passage is a calm place where you can enjoy the special mosaic floors reflected by the light of its glass roof.
This enchanting arcade is enclosed by some stores on either side.

 

18) The Atelier des Lumières

The Atelier des Lumières
Photo Credits: Caroline Léna Becker under Creative Commons 2.0

This digital art centre presents some incomparable exhibitions displayed continuously and with which you can interact. Even in the dark, the obscurity does not become scary or oppressive.
It’s great for some cool atypical photos.

 

19) The Panthéon

The Panthéon

Representing the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon is a monument that honours the memory of some important people who impacted French History.
The monument’s architecture captivates the public with its large Corinthian columns and its impressive dome. The promise of a majestic photo.

 

20) The Ile aux Cygnes (The Swan Island)

The Île aux Cygnes
SamFa from Paris, France / CC BY

This artificial island is the perfect spot to take some pictures on the Seine’s banks, surrounded by some plants during a relaxing walk.

You can appreciate an outstanding view of the Eiffel Tower from the (Parisian) Statue of Liberty.

Indeed, this is not New York but Paris!

 

21) The Passage du Havre

The Passage du Havre
Photo Credits: Guilhem Vellut under Creative Commons 2.0

Take a few minutes during your shopping spree to check out the Passage du Havre’s arcade near the Haussmann Boulevard. The decorations are even more spectacular during the Christmas season.

 

22) The Arènes de Picasso

The Arènes de Picasso
Photo Credits: Fred Romero under Creative Commons 2.0

Moving away from the capital, you will discover the Arenes de Picasso in the smaller city of Noisy-le-Grand. The exceptional architecture of this monument will provide you with opportunities for some unique shots: two cylindrically-shaped buildings nicknamed as the Famous French cheese “Camemberts”.

 

23) Rue Crémieux

Rue Crémieux

This nice pedestrian walking street, located close to the Gare de Lyon, has become popular on Instagram.

Even though this is a public street, the amount of people coming every day to take hundreds of pictures right on their porches has become unbearable for the inhabitants who want to be left in peace.

Our advice: try to think about the inhabitant’s tranquility and stay away from this street.