The Best Photo Spots in Paris (From a Local Photographer)

How to choose your Paris photo spots

Before picking locations, ask yourself three questions.

• Iconic or intimate? The Eiffel Tower says "Paris" instantly. A quiet street in Montmartre or Le Marais feels more personal. The best galleries usually mix both.
• How much time do you have? Count one location per hour if you want relaxed, varied photos. Two locations close to each other work well in two hours.
• What's your style? Elegant outfits shine at Pont Alexandre III and the Louvre. Casual looks feel natural in Montmartre and Le Marais.

Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower views

The Trocadéro is the classic view of the Eiffel Tower, and for good reason: the tower stands right in front of you, with nothing in the way. The upper esplanade gets very busy from mid-morning, so I prefer two other options: arriving at sunrise, when the esplanade is almost empty, or working in the gardens below, which are greener, calmer and give you a closer, more dramatic angle.

Best time: sunrise, or a weekday early morning. Getting there: Métro Trocadéro (lines 6 and 9).

Bir-Hakeim Bridge

Bir-Hakeim is one of my favourite spots in the city. It's a two-level bridge, with the métro running on top and a pedestrian walkway below, framed by a long line of iron columns. It gives you a strong, cinematic look, and the Eiffel Tower is right there when you step to the side. It's also just a 10-minute walk from the Trocadéro, so the two pair perfectly.

Best time: morning, before cyclists and joggers fill the walkway. Getting there: Métro Bir-Hakeim or Passy (line 6). Tip: stay on the pedestrian side. The bike lane is busy and cyclists come fast.

Pont Alexandre III and the Seine

Pont Alexandre III is the most elegant bridge in Paris, with gilded statues, ornate lamps, and views of the Invalides, the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. It's perfect for dresses, long coats and anything with a classic feel. Below the bridge, the riverbanks (the quais) offer calmer spots right by the water.

Best time: golden hour, the hour before sunset, when the gold details glow. Getting there: Métro Invalides (lines 8, 13, RER C) or Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau (lines 1, 13).

The Louvre and the Palais-Royal

The Louvre's glass pyramid is iconic, but the courtyard fills up fast once the museum opens. Come early in the morning and you'll have space and soft light reflecting on the glass. Just a few minutes' walk away, the Palais-Royal is a hidden favourite: a peaceful garden surrounded by arcades, plus the famous black-and-white striped columns, which make playful, graphic photos.

Best time: early morning. Getting there: Métro Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7).

Montmartre: Sacré-Cœur and the quiet streets

Montmartre feels like a village inside the city. The steps of the Sacré-Cœur are beautiful but very crowded, so I usually take clients a few minutes away to the quieter streets: Rue de l'Abreuvoir, the pink café La Maison Rose, and the small staircases and lamp posts that make Montmartre so recognisable. It's the best area for a relaxed, romantic, "living in Paris" feel.

Best time: early morning, before the crowds arrive. Getting there: Métro Abbesses (line 12) or Anvers (line 2). Tip: it's hilly with lots of cobblestones. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your nicer pair for the photos.

Le Marais and hidden courtyards

Le Marais is all about charm: old stone buildings, small cafés, and Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris, with its red-brick facades and shaded arcades. The arcades are great when the sun is harsh or the weather is grey, because they give you soft, even light at any time of day.

Best time: morning, or any time on an overcast day. Getting there: Métro Saint-Paul (line 1) or Chemin Vert (line 8). Tip: many courtyards in the area are private residences. We stay in public spaces and keep things discreet.

The best time of day for photos

Light changes everything in Paris.

• Sunrise is my favourite: soft light, empty streets, and the city waking up. Depending on the season, it's roughly between 6am in summer and 8:30am in winter.
• Golden hour (the hour before sunset) gives warm, flattering light, but more people are around.
• Midday sun is harsh. It works best in shaded streets, arcades or on overcast days.
• Blue hour and night: after dark, the Eiffel Tower sparkles for a few minutes at the start of every hour, which makes a magical backdrop. Grey weather isn't bad news either. Clouds give soft, even light that's very flattering for portraits.

Planning your photoshoot route

Here are a few combinations that work well, because the spots are close to each other:

• The iconic morning: Trocadéro gardens, then Bir-Hakeim Bridge (10-minute walk).
• Classic elegance: Pont Alexandre III, then the Seine riverbanks and the Invalides.
• Royal Paris: the Louvre, then the Palais-Royal gardens and columns.
• The village: a slow walk through Montmartre's quiet streets.
• Old Paris charm: Place des Vosges and the streets of Le Marais. For a one-hour session, I recommend one area. With two hours, you can comfortably combine two nearby spots and change outfits in between. I plan the route with every client before the shoot, based on their style, the season and the light.

If you'd like help choosing, see my Paris sessions or message me on WhatsApp. I'll suggest the best spots for your dates.