Paris the city of love is incredibly picturesque and a top destination to visit for Instagram and photography. It’s a city with beautiful streets such as around Montmartre, incredible landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, as well as awesome viewpoints to top it off. In this post you’ll find my suggestions on where to go for Instagram and Photography. For these Instagrammable locations, you’ll also find a link to the spot on Google Maps, whether the location is free or not, as well my suggestion on the best time to take photographs.
Here are over 20 of the best and must-visit Instagram and Photography spots in Paris.
1. Streets of Montmartre
The streets of Montmartre are a gem, and it’s one of my favourite locations to explore when I’m in Paris. The streets are super cute with wonderful picturesque architecture, cobbled pavement, cool shops and great facades. To top it off you have the stunning Sacré-Cœur church, which you’ll see poking out as you explore. Montmartre is a top place in Paris for Instagram and photography and shouldn’t be missed on your visit.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
2. Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle has a stunning interior containing 1113 stained glass windows that reach high up towards the ceiling. The interior is perfect for photography and very Instagrammable. When taking pictures make sure you use a wide-angle lens such as 24mm or wider to capture as much as possible. We also HIGHLY recommend buying a skip-the-line ticket in advance if possible. When we visited there were huge queues and this ticket allowed us to walk straight past.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticked
Location on Google Maps
3. Trocadéro
One of the best spots to capture images of the Eiffel Tower is from Trocadéro. Here you’ll find a large open square with beautiful patterns on the ground which you can use to frame your picture. Also at this position, you should move down the stairs towards the Eiffel Tower, where you’ll find a huge water feature to also use in your shots. I would recommend taking pictures at sunrise as it’s one of the most popular locations in the city.
Best time for pics: Sunrise
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
4. View from Arc de Triomphe
A classic place for pictures is from the Arc de Triomphe. Here you’ll have panoramic views around the city, such as towards La Defence, towards the Eiffel Tower and every other direction. Although my picture below is during the day I would recommend coming here around sunset if you have time.
Best time for pics: Day/sunset/blue hour
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
5. Montparnasse Tower
The Montparnasse Tower is a top Instagram spot and the best location to take high shots of the Eiffel Tower and the skyline. It can get pretty busy up there, so for sunset make sure you arrive early to get the best photo spot. Also, you’ll find there is a glass wall around the outskirts of the observation deck (presumably for safety), BUT there are gaps between the glass that are perfect for putting your camera through so as to capture a nice clear photograph.
Best time for pics: Sunset
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
6. Printemps Haussmann Rooftop
Printemps Haussmann is a department store and from the rooftop terrace, you get fantastic views of the city in all directions. Up here is also a cafe where you could grab some refreshments whilst enjoying the views. The terrace is open until 8pm most nights and until 10pm on Thursdays (subject to change). Visit departmentstoreparis.printemps.com to check the latest opening times or give them a call before you go.
Best time for pics: Sunset/blue hour
Cost: Free – Polite to buy a drink
Location on Google Maps
7. Louvre Museum
The Louvre is one of the most famous galleries in the world and home to the Mona Lisa painting by artist Leonardo da Vinci. The exterior Pyramids make for the most photogenic perspectives and these look incredible both day and night. It can get quite busy so I would recommend coming at night to take long-exposure photographs.
Best time for pics: Day-blue hour
Cost: Exterior Free – Interior Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
8. Rue Cremieux
Rue Cremieux is probably the most colourful street in Paris with each building painted a different colour. As can be expected it’s pretty cool for taking Instagrammable pictures. In-photo: @toinou1375.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
9. Petit Palais
Petit Palais is the Paris Museum of Fine Arts and I would almost consider a hidden gem for photography. The galleries, wings and courtyard are incredibly pretty with mosaic tiles and other decorative features.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Some areas free
Location on Google Maps
10. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral that was building built-in 1163. The exterior is nice but also consider climbing the 422 steps to the towers and upper walkway for views the skyline. For an interesting perspective frame with the gargoyles in your photographs.
Note: Due to the recent fire, the interior and upper walkways will be temporarily unavailable. Check the official website for the most up to date information on what’s open.
Best time for pics: Sunset
Cost: Towers ticketed
Location on Google Maps
11. Pont Alexandre III
The Pont Alexandre III is one of the most beautiful bridges in the city, with impressive sculptures and other architectural elements. I personally prefer this bridge at night and to make your picture more interesting wait for boats to go underneath so you have light trails. I didn’t think to do this during my visit but think it would look cool.
Best time for pics: Sunset-blue hour
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
12. Édouard VII Square
A great square for taking photographs is the Édouard VII Square. To capture an Instagram worthy image you’ll need to use the widest lens you have. The shot below was taken on a 14mm.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
13. Square Rapp
A secret Instagram spot in Paris which provides a nice perspective towards the Eiffel Tower is at Square Rapp. Here you’ll be able to frame with beautiful architecture either side.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
14. Galerie Vivienne
Throughout Paris are various indoor passageways with my favourite being the beautiful Galerie Vivienne. To me, it felt very Parisian inside and it makes for wonderful pictures. As it might be busy with people passing by you may need to just be patient and wait for a quiet moment. Alternatively, come early in the day when it first opens.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
15. Sacré-Cœur
The Sacré-Cœur is a stunning Roman Catholic church in the Montmartre part of the city. You can go inside and up to the towers for views of the city. Or take pictures of the exterior, such as Square Louise Michel which is directly in front of it.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Exterior free – Interior ticketed
Location on Google Maps
16. Place Charles de Gaulle
As well as taking pictures from the Arc de Triomphe, you should also take pictures from ground level at Place Charles de Gaulle. Place Charles de Gaulle is probably the busiest intersection/roundabout in the city and it can be quite fun watching the crazy traffic.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
17. Hôtel de Ville
The Hôtel de Ville is a building that runs the city’s local administration. It has a renaissance style and is very pretty to photograph. Sometimes outside there are amusement rides which are great to add to your shots.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
18. Musée d’Orsay
When visiting the Musée d’Orsay head upstairs to the famous clock face which you can stand behind and create a cool silhouetted image.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
19. Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier is incredibly grand and beautiful, and it’s possible to go on guided or self-guided tours. Guided tours often include an expert guide who will help you learn about the history, architecture and operation of the building. While on these tours you should have some opportunities to capture photographs along the way.
If you’re on a self-guided tour and to get the photo below you should arrive at the opening time and head straight to this spot once you’ve shown your ticket, it will get busy pretty quickly so you don’t have much time to capture an empty photo. We recommend booking your advanced ticket.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
20. Sinking House
While exploring Montmartre a key spot is “The Sinking House” (not an official name). The building isn’t actually sinking at all and it’s just an illusion where you angle your camera and use a steep grass hill to make it look that way. It’s pretty cool to photograph and I’m sure your Instagram followers with love it.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
21. Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is a cabaret bar where you could go for a fun evening and will find the staff dressed up and often dancing. The outside makes for a cool photo spot as you can see below.
Best time for pics: Night
Cost: Exterior Free
Location on Google Maps
22. Galeries Lafayette
If you are visiting Paris at Christmas you should definitely check out Galeries Lafayette. This interior is incredibly grand and beautiful along with a huge tree to go with it. Due to the colours and decorations, pictures of this spot are extremely popular on Instagram at Christmas.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
Photography tips for Paris
- Explore the city at night using a decent travel tripod and my recommended night photography tips.
- Head out early in the morning to explore popular spots to avoid crowds and get emptier photographs.
- Take pictures of the city skyline from along the river and use boats to add interesting elements to your pictures.
- If exploring and it’s busy take your time and be patient for people to move and you’ll get better images as a result.
- Try and use reflections such as around the Louvre and in Puddles near the Eiffel Tower for cool perspectives.
- Finally, consider using presets for Lightroom or Photoshop to speed up your editing or to create cool effects.
Visit Travel Photography for lots more tips and techniques.
Top tours and activities for Paris
Paris has heaps of awesome activities, day trips and more to keep you busy during your trip. Below are a few ideas to get you started, or head to our article Paris: 10 Best Tours and Activities or click the blue button below for more.
Summary
A trip to Paris is always a special experience, and for those that love photography, you will be in for a treat, with a huge number of opportunities resulting in great pictures to share with your followers on Instagram. Also a special thanks to my Paris based friend Antoine who showed me some of these spots. Check him out on Instagram.
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