Post Summary: Paris Photography Locations and Amazing Instagram Spots In Paris
What’s the most photogenic city you can think of?
Chances are, you’re thinking of Paris, France – just like us! It’s hard to ignore those cobblestone streets, whimsical bakeries, and gorgeous architecture that spread across this metropolis.
Berty and I spent months researching Paris photography locations and the most beautiful places we could visit in the city.
Thankfully and not surprisingly, our search turned out to be incredibly easy as we discovered Instagram spots in Paris around every corner!
If you’re looking for a list of the most stunning Paris photography locations, you’ve come to the right place. We’re sharing our favorite photo spots in Paris, maps to find each location, and suggestions we didn’t get to visit ourselves (but you definitely should!).
It’s easier than you think to plan the best 3-Day Paris itinerary! Read on to make your next trip to the City of Lights a magical one and discover the best Instagram spots in Paris!
We’re spilling all the details here…
The 10 Most Beautiful Instagram Spots in Paris
The Eiffel Tower (At Palais De Chaillot And Trocadero)
Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France (map here)
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic and recognizable structures in the entire world! There are several perspectives of the Eiffel Tower that you can experience, and each highlights their own unique features.
From Rue de lβUniversitΓ© (a dead-end cobblestone street with a huge view of the tower) to the top of Arc Du Triomphe, you can almost guarantee that you’ll get a view of it from anywhere in the city.
One of the most popular Instagram spots in Paris would be photographing the Eiffel Tower from the stairs of the TrocadΓ©ro.
You can reach this amazing Paris photography location by crossing the Seine River, just opposite the Tower.
From there, you can cross the Trocadero gardens and fountains and reach the stairs for an amazing picture.
Paris Photography Tip: The Tour Eiffel is THE most popular destination in Paris. Crowds are almost a guarantee at any given time, but you’ll have the best chance of having it to yourself if you arrive at sunrise.
Want more photography tips for Paris? Read our favorite photo tips when traveling.
MusΓ©e D’Orsay Clocks Are Some Hidden Photography Spots In Paris
1 Rue de la LΓ©gion d’Honneur, 75007 (map here)
The MusΓ©e d’Orsay is known for its impressionist painting collection, including famous artists like Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.
The building itself is a gorgeous Instagram spot in Paris for its light-filled, golden walls and historic treasures.
However, hidden deep in the Musee d’Orsay are two beautifully intricate clocks.
The first sits at the front of the large main hall above the main entrance. The second sits in front of a huge window with a view directly out to the SacrΓ©-Coeur on top of a hill across the city.
The second, larger clock is a great photography spot in Paris for silhouette pictures, and shadow/light play.
Just remember to be patient because this place is very busy, with lots of people who are going to get in your frame!
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Notre Dame In An Iconic Instagram Spot in Paris
6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 (map here)
One of the best examples of French Gothic architecture today sits right in the heart of France.
Notre Dame has seen Kings order the construction, dictator coronations, damage to the outside during riots, and countless restoration project. If the walls could talk, oh the stories they would tell!
For beautiful and historic photos in Paris, consider a visit to Notre Dame. It’s a stunner from all angles, perfect for Paris photography day AND night.
Photography Tip: Again, like most of these “big icons” in Paris, We suggest going in the evening when the crowds die down. You can catch a sunset and even wait to watch the lights illuminate the building.
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The Louvre Is One Of The Best Photo Spots In Paris
Rue de Rivoli, 75001 (map here)
The Louvre Museum is a stunning Paris photography location and a must-visit for any visitor.
Its perfect blend of modern prisms on the exterior and gold-plated walls on the interior show the harmony of history coming together with the modern-day.
The Louvre is the largest museum in the world, hosting famous artwork like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Egyptian artifacts. If you spent 30 seconds at each artifact in the Louvre, you’d have to stay there close to 100 days to see it all!
Paris Photography Tip: Make sure to get photos next to the outside glass pyramid/prism, as well as next to your favorite artifacts inside.
The grounds of the museum are huge, so make sure to plan for a least a half day of exploring and taking photos.
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The Stained-Glass Windows of Saint Chapelle
8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 (map here)
This place really blew our minds. Saint Chapelle might seem like just another French church, especially with its big brother Notre Dame being only a few blocks away.
But on the inside is the most colorful and intricate of the Paris photography locations in the entire city.
When Berty and I learned the significance of Saint Chapelle’s stained-glass windows, we had such great respect for the church and its history.
Fifteen floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows each tell a separate story within the pictures they display. It’s the story of Christianity, from creation to the life of Jesus to the prophets and disciples after Him.
You could stare up at the windows all day long!
Best time to go: Unlike many photography spots in Paris, the best time to visit Saint Chapelle is when the bright daylight is shining through the glass!
This will illuminate the colors of the windows.
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Inside of a Macaron Shop
75 Av. des Champs-ΓlysΓ©es, 75008 (map here)
You won’t have to look far to find a macaron or pastry shop. There is practically one up every beautiful cobblestone street!
The most well-known patisserie would be LadurΓ©e (which is THE best Instagram spots in Paris for iconic macarons!) but the city is overflowing with buttery pastries and sweet treats.
Wander down the streets until one strikes your eye, and pop in to buy a few for your walk. Make sure to grab a few and eat them under the Eiffel Tower or along the Seine River!
The one shown above was a place called Monsieur Benjamin in the Les Halles neighborhood.
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See Palais Garnier For a Stunning Paris Photography Location
Palais Garnier is a popular photo spot in Paris for prestige, grace, and gorgeous architecture.
Built in the year 1875, this auditorium hosts operas, ballet performances, balls, and so much more.
This opera house also inspired the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber in creating the Phantom of the Opera, all-inclusive with a free-falling chandelier. (Which actually happened here!!)
If you are into opera music, we recommend taking a guided tour to get the most out of this historic building. Tickets as of September 2018 are 15.50 Euros and the tour last about 90 minutes.
You can also opt to grab a
Make sure to take a picture of the fabulous ballroom and grand staircase too!
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Instagram Spots In Paris Are Down Nearly Any Narrow Street
One of the first things Berty and I did when arriving in Paris was strolling up and down the small city streets.
We wanted to get a feel of local life, away from the big Paris photography spots for a little while.
By taking a walk off the main path, visitors can experience sidewalk cafes with colorful rattan bistro chairs out front, cute storefronts baking bread and artisans selling trinkets.
We arrived in late January, but I expect that in the summertime there would be flowers blooming on windowsills and colors everywhere.
There is no such thing as an ugly street in Paris (at least from what we saw!) so get walking!
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Arc De Triomphe (Below and From Above)
Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 (map here)
The Arc de Triomphe sits in the middle of a 12 intersection roundabout at the western end of a famous commercial street called Champs-ΓlysΓ©es.
This monument honors all that died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.
Because the street is super busy, you can only access the top monument through an underground tunnel. You can also get a photo from the outside, but only at very specific locations – to avoid causing a traffic accident.
These Paris photo spots (or rather these perspectives) are easy to find, as crowds are present at all times of the day at Arc de Triomphe.
As you take the underground tunnel for a closer look, you emerge from underground to see a monument of stunning detail and intricate architecture.
If you choose to climb up the 15-story winding staircase, you are able to see the whole city with a 360-degree view. We loved coming here; it’s a must-see!
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Walk Across The Bridges Over the River Seine
Pont Alexandre III, 75008 (map here)
Paris has some of the most beautiful bridges in all the world. Each one crosses the Seine River and has unique features, history, and stories behind them.
Our last evening in Paris consisted of taking a boat tour up and down the River Seine. Most of Paris’ iconic locations can be seen from this river, and it was a good way to get a good idea of where everything was in location to one another.
As we cruised, we went under several bridges – Pont Alexandre III being the most ornate and expensive of them all.
Make a point to stop and visit your favorite, and get a good view of the sunset or sunrise!
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Are These All The Best Instagram Spots in Paris?
Absolutely not! There are so many beautiful photography locations in Paris, and we just barely scratched the surface on our own 3-day Paris itinerary.
Here is a list of places that are still on our list, ready for a return trip to beautiful France!
- SacrΓ©-CΕur Catholic Church
- Pont Alexandre III
- Les Invalides
- The “Pink Building” La Mansion Rose
- Montparnasse Tower
- Laduree
- The Sinking House
- 22 Rue De Universite – Close Up View of The Eiffel Tower
- Port Debilly at Palais Royale
- Les Colonnes de Buren Art Installation
- Vignes du Clos Montmartre
- Plaza Athenee
- Moulin Rouge
- Rue Des Barres
- Hotel De Ville
- Rue Cremieux – Colorful block of houses
- Chanel Camon – First Chanel Store
Google Map of Instagram Spots In Paris / Paris Photography Locations
A Paris photoshoot day can consist of tons of walking, and taking public transportation.
In order to make the most of your short time at Paris photo spots, we’ve included a map of some of our favorite places.
We hope this can help you plan the ideal Paris itinerary for you, whether it’s three days or three weeks! Come back to this post for more as we return and explore this iconic city and add more photography spots in Paris to our list!
What are some of your favorite Instagram spots in Paris? We’d love to share more Paris photography locations with people who are planning their own trip! Share with us in the comment section below!
Want ideas on how to pack efficiently for your trip to Paris? Follow our Travel Style board for tons of ideas!
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Oh my goodness, I can’t even handle this…Paris looks like the most incredible treasure of a city! It’s going on the top of my list, IMMEDIATELY.
Yeeeeee! Go! It’s so fun Lauren!
Thank you Paige!! I’ve loved following your darling family on instagram! Keep up the cuteness!
Ooh la la haha
Loving all these photos!! π Now, I really want to book a trip out to Paris! <3
Woohoo! You should do it Esther! I’m so glad you liked them. π Let us know when you visit and we might come back with you guys π
This is so helpful. Love the vintage feel to the pictures by the way.
I would add one more instagramable spot: Sacre Coeur, actually the whole Montmartre. It is just so iconic.