Home » Paris Photo Spots: Where to Capture the Most Beautiful Views of the City

Paris Photo Spots: Where to Capture the Most Beautiful Views of the City

Paris, the City of Love, delicious croissants, and rich history never ceases to amaze me. Whether you’re on the search for culture, romance, hidden gems, or fashion, look no further than the French capital. It is also a dream come true for photographers with its plethora of beautiful corners. From its iconic landmarks to charming streets to chic cafes, Paris has it all to make your Instagram feed pop. Enjoy this guide to my top instagrammable places that will make your followers swoon and your memories last forever. Ready to discover the best photo locations in Paris? Let’s go!

Arc de Triomphe

Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris that commemorates the French military victories during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The names of all French generals are inscribed on the arc and beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War 1. 

It is a fascinating piece of architecture that stands at the western end of the most famous avenue in the world: Champs-Élysées. From an aerial view, you will see that the arc is the center of 12 avenues forming a star shape. 

If you climb 284 stairs towards the rooftop terrace, you’ll be greeted with a magnificent view of the city and witness the star-shaped symmetry of the surrounding avenues. This is a great spot to see the Eiffel Tower, Panthéon, and Sacré-Cœur from different angles. 

Pro Tip: This is a very busy roundabout for vehicles so get there early in the morning to avoid too many cars in the shot. Also, if you want to get closer to the arc, do not cross the street! Look for the entrance that will take you underground and across the street. 

Avenue de Camoens

Av. de Camoens, 75116 Paris, France

This was once a hidden gem that is now being flooded with tourists. Fortunately, I got lucky when I visited this spot during the day and got to share it with 5 other tourists. Nevertheless, I wanted to try a different angle, and below is what we came up with. 

Avenue de Camoens is my favorite spot to see the Eiffel Tower. It’s a short but charming street that is adorned with beautiful Parisian buildings, cobbled stones, and a lovely staircase at the bottom. It is not too far from Trocadero so I recommend seeing these two spots simultaneously. 

Pont de Bir Hakeim

Pont de Bir-Hakeim, 75015 Paris, France

If you are looking for a scenic and historic spot in Paris, you should not miss the Pont de Bir Hakim. Built in 1905, the bridge crosses the Seine River while connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements and is a fascinating spot to view the Eiffel Tower. The bridge consists of two levels. On the bottom, you’ll find a level for cars and pedestrians. Head to the upper level, take the metro line 6, and be sure to grab the famous video of the Eiffel Tower that has taken social media by storm. 

It was quite windy at this location when I visited so I highly recommend checking it out during the warmer months. 

A Balcony

For the quintessential Parisian shot, without a beret and baguettes, book a hotel or Airbnb with a balcony. I initially decided against it and booked an inexpensive hotel but I am so glad I changed my mind last minute. It’s the perfect way to have a quiet morning and appreciate the architecture in Paris.

These shots were taken from Hotel Elysees Union. It isn’t the best hotel in terms of customer service and I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for superb service but I do recommend it for its price range, location, and views. It is located in the 16th arrondissement in an upscale residential area.

Pro Tip: If you are staying here, make sure you visit the intimate Italian restaurant right down the street called Sonos. It was the best restaurant I dined at in Paris and I actually finished my meal which is rare for me. The employees are also so warm, welcoming, and personal.

L’Howea

18 Av. Rapp, 75007 Paris, France

I love how the Eiffel Tower is framed between Avenue Rapp and Rue de l’Université. The best way to find this spot is by searching for the L’Howea flower shop on the corner. This spot is quickly becoming popular so I would not go here during the day. A cheeky bit of photoshopping had to be applied to the below photo to get rid of the massive crowd of tourists behind me. 

There is a boulangerie next door that offers some delicious sandwiches so be sure to stop in for a quick bite. The employees were also extremely nice to tourists which is a controversial topic 🙂

The Louvre

Louvre Museum, 75001 Paris, France

Ah, the most visited art museum in the world. Unlike my husband who does not understand the fascination of the pyramids, I consider the exterior of the Louvre to be the most beautiful spot in Paris (yes even better than the Eiffel Tower). Even though I spent a mere 15 minutes here, I am still in awe of how stunning this spot is. The juxtaposition of the modern pyramids with the classic century look of the surrounding palace makes this a must-visit spot, especially for lovers of history, art, and architecture.

Since I was only in Paris for a weekend, I chose to skip out on seeing the artwork on the inside but if you have a day to carve out, you will be greeted with a massive collection of art that depicts ideas ranging from ancient civilizations to the mid 19th century. And of course, it houses the icon herself, Miss Mona Lisa. 

Palais Garnier

Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France

If I had to choose one local spot to portray the elegance and splendor of 19th-century Parisian architecture, it would be The Palais Garnier. It took a total of 14 years to build this exquisite opera house which is the setting for the famous musical The Phantom of the Opera. The opera offers guided tours and you can easily spend about 2-3 hours here. The main attraction is the main hall with the chandeliers so I recommend heading here first and going during opening or closing for less crowds. 

Pink Mamma

20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris, France

You may have seen this cute and colorful restaurant all over Instagram and for good reason. I thought this would be just another insta-worthy spot with bland food but I was pleasantly surprised that the food was delicious. There are 4 floors with the most popular being the top floor. Walk-ins are welcome but I highly recommend making a reservation and booking it for opening time to increase your chances of being seated on that floor. 

I recommend the truffle pasta and the wood fire margarita pizza. The tiramisu is supposedly really good but I was so full that I couldn’t save room for it which is a shame because tiramisu is my favorite dessert.

Rue de l’Universite

75007 Paris, France

Rue de l’Universite is probably the most photographed street on Instagram. I consider it to be the Parisian version of Washington Street in New York City. You’ll find a large view of the Eiffel Tower framed by beautiful European buildings and cobblestones lining the pathway. Be wary that this is a very popular spot although when I visited, I nearly had it all to myself. I am not sure if it was because it was a rainy day in November but I would generally carve out some time in the morning to avoid crowds.  On a positive note, if you don’t want to wake up early, you can certainly capture this street from different angles for smaller crowds in your photo. 

Port Debilly

Port Debilly, 75116 Paris France

I consider Port Debilly to be an underrated spot that can be visited at any time of the day. It’s the perfect location to enjoy a peaceful and scenic walk along the Seine River or gaze at the houseboats and barges passing by.  If you walk up the stairs, you will find stunning views of the Eiffel Tower being framed by trees. An ideal spot is Avenue de New York.

Tip: For a romantic night activity, hop on a dinner cruise to enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night. 

Trocadero

75116 Paris, France

Located in the 16th arrondissement, Trocadero is a large public space offering stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and plenty of gardens and spaces to walk around. This is probably the most famous Paris spot on Instagram and for good reason! Of course, with fame comes crowds so you need to either wake up super early to visit this area or be very patient. 

I found the area by the stairs to be tolerable with fewer crowds as everyone was busy trying to get their photos from the top. I preferred the area by the stairs as it was much more charming than the top. 

Tip: This spot is known to be a hot spot for pickpockets so be wary of your belongings. There are also a lot of vendors trying to sell souvenirs and I have heard that some will try to scam you into buying their products. Try not to stay in this spot for too long and keep your distance.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Paris is a city of wonders and there are endless corners to be explored. I hope to visit Paris many more times in the future and add to the post so follow me on Instagram for updates on this post!

The Bibliothèque Nationale de France – Richelieu

5 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France

1 Comment

  1. Lucy
    January 2, 2024 / 5:20 pm

    Wow! What a beautiful post filled with so much information. Cant wait to plan my Paris trip and utilize all your great tips!

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