Paris has no shortage of landmarks, gardens, and statues.
But how do you get the best angles?
To answer this question, we put together the ultimate photographer’s guide to the best views in Paris.
7 Spots With a Great View of the Eiffel Tower
You’ll likely want a few shots of the Eiffel Towel, so let’s start there.
Here are the top vantage points:
1. Montparnasse Tower
Credit: Henrique Ferreira
From the Montparnasse, you’ll get an uninterrupted sightline to the Eiffel.
For the best view, head to the observation deck during sunset. Make sure you have a tall tripod with you; the partitions in the glass might ruin your shot.
2. The Trocadéro
Credit: Hoch3media
You can also get a brilliant view of the Iron Lady from the Place du Trocadéro. We’d recommend this spot if you want a shot of the tower against the sky.
It’s also possible to get the Trocadéro’s golden statues in the foreground as you capture the Eiffel.
3. Printemps’ Rooftop Cafe
Do you want to sip a cup of coffee while you work on your shot of the Eiffel Tower? Head to the Printemps rooftop cafe on Boulevard Haussmann.
4. The Foot of the Tower
Credit: Giulia May
Stand in the Champ de Mars (the wide greenspace) or the Allée des Refuzniks (the dirt path) to get close enough to catch all the fine details of the Iron Lady.
That said, you’ll want to come in the early morning to avoid the crowds.
5. The Terrace of the Arc de Triomphe
If you don’t mind a bit of cardio, you can climb the stairs to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for a spectacular panoramic view. From there, you can easily see the Eiffel Tower, among other stellar views of the city.
6. Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel
Credit: Silvia Trigo
To add some visual interest to your night shot of the Eiffel Tower, consider including the Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel in the frame.
7. Avenue Silvestre de Sacy
In Silvestre de Sacy, you’ll easily find an interesting foreground for your Eiffel shots, from facades with wrought-iron balconies to dense tree crowns.
8 Parisian Views to Capture (Besides the Eiffel)
We assume you’re not just visiting the City of Lights for a couple of shots of the Eiffel Tower, right?
So, let’s check out how you can capture other iconic views around Paris:
1. The Louvre Pyramid
Several angles work well for photographing the Louvre Pyramid. Just focus on the glass pyramid and move around until you see something you like on your viewfinder.
Regardless of where you’re standing, you’ll still need to time your visit just right. Either go on a Tuesday (the museum closes on Tuesdays) or after sundown any other day of the week.
Don’t forget to get your 10-20mm wide-angle lens. It’ll come in handy if you want a shot with the full pyramid reflection.
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2. Arc de Triomphe From the Champs-Élysées
Credit: Getty Images, Unsplash
One of the best views of the Arc de Triomphe is the one you get by setting your tripod on the pedestrian islands in the Champs-Élysées.
But, of course, the street is bustling most of the time. You’ll want to go there at night, after the stores close. That’s usually after 8 pm.
Keep in mind that the Arc-Champs sightline works both ways. So, if you want a great shot of the Champs-Élysées, all you have to do is get to the top of the Arc.
3. Sacré Coeur From the Place du Tertre
Credit: Tristan Guillemet
Get to Place du Tertre around sunrise and catch the light coming up behind the Sacré Coeur. You could also go at night. Either way, that’s one of the best views of the church.
If you want to capture more of the Sacré Coeur, check out the view from the base of the butte Montmartre.
And if the views of the city are what you’re after, then go up the stairs, turn your back to the Sacré Coeur, and catch the sunset over the skyline. The area is usually pretty crowded, though.
4. Pont des Arts From Quai François Mitterrand
Credit: Dinkum, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
To get a shot of the Seine and the Pont des Arts bridge, we’d recommend standing on the side of Quai François Mitterrand (next to the Louvre).
Side Note: You can no longer get a photo of the “love locks” on the Pont des Arts fence. They had to get rid of all the padlocks because they were weighing down the bridge!
5. Île de la Cité From Pont des Arts
Credit: Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France, CC-BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where you’re on Quai François Mitterrand, you might as well get on the bridge and snap some photos of the Île de la Cité island and the magnificent Pont Neuf.
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch some ships passing under the bridge.
6. Panthéon From the Jardin du Luxembourg
Credit: Frank Lammel, CC-BY-NC-ND-2.0, via Flickr
The dome of the famous Panthéon is visible from several areas in the Jardin du Luxembourg, so you won’t have a hard time finding a good angle. We particularly love the view from the front of the Acteur Grec statue.
After taking that shot, walk around the gardens. There are plenty of good photo opportunities, from orchids to the Medici fountain.
7. Moulin Rouge’s Windmill
Credit: Antonio Sessa
You’re not allowed to take photos in the theater, but you definitely could photograph the facade.
Simply standing across the street from the “windmill” by the entrance will give you a fantastic shot.
8. Abandoned 19th Century Railway Line
Credit: Celine Harrand, Public Domain, via Flickr
Paris has its own abandoned railway called the Petite Ceinture. Parts of it are overgrown and dark, which makes for an eerie photoshoot.
The good news is that the line is accessible from nine arrondissements, so you can easily squeeze a visit into your itinerary.
Just be warned that there are rats down there. It’s up to you to judge whether the photos are worth the risk.
Final Thoughts
There are lots of streets with breathtaking views around Paris. However, it’s important to note that photography in residential areas isn’t always welcome.
Take Rue Crémieux, for instance. It’s pretty but not a tourist destination or a landmark.
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