There’s no doubt that Paris is one of the world’s most spectacular cities, and it is absolutely littered with some of the most famous landmarks in the world too. The city of love that has sparked a thousand love stories, kindled untold romances and inspired millions to visit it, in search of museums and macarons. It’s also one of the epicentres for travel photography and for amateur snappers and content creators looking to document it for their websites or for Instagram and social media. So, we’ve put together this guide on all the best Paris photo spots. And, to make sure you know where to go to find the most Instagrammable places in Paris, we’ve also included a handy interactive map.
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Top 10 Instagrammable Places in Paris
Now this article is all about the long list of Instagram worthy spots in Paris. But, if we just had to choose a handful? This is our list of the top ten Paris photo spots (although read on for the rest!).
- Eiffel Tower
- Moulin Rouge
- Musee d’ Orsay
- Sacré-Cœur
- La Louvre
- Palais Royal
- Rue Royale
- Arc de Triomphe
- Ponts des Arts
- Chateau of Versailles
Eiffel Tower
Let’s be honest, you aren’t going to head to Paris looking for great Gram content and not think about trying to get the perfect shot with the Iron Lady… she is an absolute stunner and whether you are next to her, viewing from afar or even have climbed up all those steps, she will deliver numerous wonderful angles for you to snap; definitely top of the Paris Instagram spots!
And for that reason alone, the Eiffel Tower makes it onto the number one spot. But, most importantly, is finding an interesting angle to make your photo stand out. Don’t believe us, then check out what Lorenzo from Backpackers in the World, one of the leading travel feature accounts has to say about exactly this, in this article on how to get your photo into Instagram Feature Accounts!
We could possibly write an article solely on all the amazing places to see La Tour Eiffel, from a boat ride along La Seine, sunset at the Montparnasse Observation Deck (also known as the Montparnasse Tower) to sunrise at the Jardins du Trocadero… but if you’re looking for the ultimate spots, then you need to get out into the side streets in and around this French landmark and find that special angle that works well for you.
But if we had to have one spot to recommend, then get over to the Theatre de la Eiffel Tower for first thing in the morning, and you’ll find yourself with our favourite view of this very special structure, all to yourself.
Or if you can afford it, why not book yourself into the Shangri La Paris? Some of their rooms have insane views of the Eiffel Tower.
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Trocadero Carousel
Alternatively, why not check out one of the most famous places to take your Eiffel Tower shot, at the Trocadero Carousel? The merry-go-round and Eiffel Tower combination makes for the ideal photo setting.
Musée d’Orsay
If you’re wanting to add some culture into your trip to France, then you are awash with options… yes La Louvre is the best museum in Paris and no Paris itinerary would be complete without spending an afternoon wandering the halls of this world-class museum.
But, if you’re looking for one of the most unique Paris photo spots instead of La Louvre, get yourself over to what is in our opinion the second-best museum in Paris, the Musee d’Orsay.
Housed in the former train station (or Gare in French), the Musee d’Orsay holds the largest collection in the world of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art, by household names like Degas, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh to name but a few…
And as if you’d need more inspiration than seeing these incredible masterpieces, the Musee d’Orsay clock tower is possibly the most Instagrammable place in Paris! Just make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to have this area all to yourself and get to the museum at opening (that’s at 9.30am every day, except Monday when the museum is closed).
Recommended: Add to your amazing Paris Instagram shot with these awesome Paris Quotes.
Sacré-Cœur
Well, where to start with one of the most beautiful churches in Paris? Is it the stunning views back across the city, best enjoyed in the early morning?
Or is it the vistas you’ll find at the top of the Basilica? Yes, it is so worth the small entrance fee and climb to the top. Here you’ll find even better views than from in front of the church, alongside interesting angles and textures that the pillars, bricks and structures provide.
This is another Parisian landmark where you are spoilt for choice on the photos that you can create when visiting.
The classic of course being a couple shot back up towards the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris.
And then there is also the very fun and interesting perspective that you can find from the Montmartre Hill, where if you angle the camera in the right way, you create a frame where the building in the background appears to defy the laws of gravity; often referred to as the Sinking House.
So, another must-visit Instagrammable location in Paris to have on your bucket list.
Maison Rose
And while visiting the Sacre Coeur, make sure that you spend a little time exploring the surrounding Montmartre area. Not only are you likely to find some great little bits of street art dotted around, which also lend themselves to a great photo, it’s one of the most vibrant parts of Paris.
But nothing screams Paris more than the very cute La Maison Rose, a café with more than 100 years of history, and a haunt of Picasso. But it was Maurice Utrillo who gave fame to the venue with his 1930s painting named ‘The Little Pink House’.
A landmark ever since, it has become even more famous with the Instagram generation all vying to capture the perfect photo in front of this charming place.
Moulin Rouge
And before you depart the Montmartre area, there is one final Paris photo spot that has to make it onto your list: the infamous Moulin Rouge.
The Moulin Rouge was pretty well known in its own right, but shot to stardom thanks to the film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor of the same name.
Originally constructed as a cabaret, way back in 1889, the Moulin Rouge burned down in 1915, but luckily for all us budding photographers was rebuilt with its striking red colour and iconic windmill, making it one of the best Paris photography locations.
Make sure you’ve got on the appropriate attire for when you visit the birthplace of the can-can dance! And again, the earlier in the day you can get to the Moulin Rouge, the less likely you’ll have to wait for traffic and other photographers to grab your perfect shot!
Palais Royal
The Palais Royal, formerly also known as the Palais-Cardinal, was the personal residence of Cardinal Richelieu, yes the baddie from the Musketeers!
But the reason to make a visit here (apart from it’s a beautiful building) is to see Les Deux Plateaux or as it’s more commonly called the Colonnes de Buren, a controversial art installation by Daniel Buren.
The black and white columns, set against the backdrop of this 17th century palace create a wonderful effect, making it one of the best places in Paris for an Instagram photo.
Keen to add another Palais to your never-ending list of Instagrammable spots? You could also check out the Palais Garnier.
La Louvre
Ah La Louvre. Is there any where as inspiring as the most famous museum in the world? And although we may have suggested that your museum starting point for most Instagrammable places in Paris should be Musee d’Orsay, don’t for a second think that this means that La Louvre shouldn’t make the list too.
From the stunning countless works of art, to the passages, halls and staircases, there is something for every avid snapper. If you visit La Louvre, of course you have to see the Mona Lisa, but in our opinion, it’s the Egyptian collection that takes the biscuit…
But for that classic Paris photo spot, it has to be of the museum pyramid. And best viewed first thing in the morning, with no tourists or on a clear evening at blue hour all lit up. But our favourite shot, has to be after some fresh rainfall for creating alluring reflection photography.
Jardin des Tuileries
And while we’re around the Louvre area, don’t forget the Tuileries Gardens, that stretch from Place de la Concorde and the Champs Elysees at one end (both also exceptional places to grab an Instagram pic), to the Louvre Museum.
From stunning sculptures to the water features overlooking the Roue de Paris (Paris’ equivalent to the London Eye), you’ll find a number of great photo spots.
Want to add another gorgeous garden to your list? You could also try the Luxembourg Gardens (Jardins du Luxembourg) in the Sixth Arrondissement.
Rue Crémieux
An enchanting little cobbled street, Rue Cremieux is a hugely popular Instagram street thanks to the brightly coloured houses.
Rue Royale
Onto one of the most fun roads in Paris, lit up with a wave of multi-coloured umbrellas, casting a shadow over the Rue Royale, one of the best street photography spots in Paris.
Located in the 8th arrondissement, behind the Madeline Church, you’ll find this brilliantly vibrant art installation by Patricia Cunha. 800 or so umbrellas make up the world famous, Umbrella Sky Project.
And not surprisingly, the effect is pretty powerful, and another fantastic photo shot to add to your collection. Our recommendation is to try and visit on a sunny day, as it really brings the colours alive.
Arc de Triomphe
Another world-famous Paris landmark, the Arc de Triomphe is also one of the more hectic roundabouts that you may ever drive around (definitely do it, it’s worth it).
But it can make getting the perfect photograph for your feed a little more tricky. However, there are a couple of ways to approach it. Firstly, try to get to the Arc de Triomphe as early as you can, then on any of the roads that lead onto the roundabout, line up in one of the central sections to get that shot.
Or alternatively, head via the underpass to beneath the Arc de Triomphe for a photo looking up towards this magnificent monument.
Pont Alexandre III
With the river Seine carving through the middle of Paris, and many iconic landmarks lining its banks it’s not a surprise that a couple of the bridges that adorn La Seine make it into our list of most Instagrammable places in Paris!
But you may be equally surprised to hear that the most famous bridge, the Pont Neuf, that most people take to visit both Saint-Chapelle and Notre Dame Cathedral, doesn’t make it!
Instead, our favourite bridge-related photo spot in Paris is the stunning Pont Alexandre III. Given its views across the river, and how beautiful the bridge is in its own right… make sure you cross here for a few photos.
Note: We would definitely have included Notre Dame on this list of best Paris photo spots, but given the devastating fire, it’s not currently included.
Ponts des Arts
And closely following Pont Alexandre III is the equally stunning Ponts des Arts, which provides the best view of Pont Neuf, as well as the view across to Academy Science.
Galerie Vivienne
Galerie Vivienne is one of the most beautiful covered passages in Paris and lends itself perfectly to a wonderfully framed Instagram photo.
Galerie Lafayette
Another shopping location to make our list of the most Instagrammable places in Paris has to be the Galerie Lafayette, the most famous shopping mall in the city.
With its glass domed roof, and retail luxury you’re guaranteed of some picture-perfect options, but if you’re looking for the best time to visit, it has to be in the build up to Christmas!
Chateau of Versailles
And of course, you can’t head to Paris without visiting the Chateau de Versailles. We’d recommend that you spend at least a good half-day exploring this incredible palace and its gardens; everything you’ll see is entirely Instagram worthy!
Top tip: Head in the afternoon and you’ll avoid the crowds… in the mornings it can be super busy with tour buses.
Interactive map of the most Instagrammable places in Paris
So, what did you think of our list of most Instagrammable places in Paris? Have you been to any of these? Are we missing any of your favourite Paris photo spots? Let us know as we’d love to also include them in our article.
Interested in other amazing photo locations? Get inspiration for visiting Australia with our guide to the most Instragrammable places in Sydney.
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