My Photography & Travel Guide to Paris
Paris!! Just saying the name of the French capital stirs so many happy emotions. It is a city that people have dreamed of visiting for generations. There is the endless romance of the city, beautiful architecture, the fashionable Parisians, and, let's not forget, the food.
This couple dancing in the morning is the picture of joy
There are also so many things to photography in Paris that it can quickly become overwhelming. Of course, you want to make sure you hit the classic locations like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, but there are so many other things to photograph, from Food, Fashion, People, Art, and Architecture.
Credric Grolet Opera
In this Blog, I will list my favorite hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and, of course, the most important part ---photography locations.
When to go to PAris
I do not think there is a bad time to go to Paris. My favorite 2 times of the year are April -June and September - October. During the Spring and Fall the temperatures are perfect for walking. And Paris is a city to be enjoyed by walking through the various neighborhoods. Also, there are far fewer tourists. I would not visit in July or August when the city is overrun with tourist and its’s uncomfortably hot.
Under the Trocadero a couple having wedding photos taken
Where to Stay? Hotel Recommendations
The first thing you will need to decide is where to stay. There is always a debate if you should stay on the Left Bank or Right Bank. It is similar to the debate between what is better East Coast and West Coast Rap :).
29 Rue de Bourgogne
So which side should you stay on? This is a tough choice, and there is no easy answer on which area is best. The Right Bank or "Rive Droit" includes 14 arrondissements (districts), and it’s best known for the Louvre, Champs Élysées, and the Montmartre neighborhoods. The Left Bank (Rive Gauche) of Paris has six arrondissements, and is best known for the Eiffel Tower, Musée D'Orsay, Jazz, the Latin quarter, and Saint Germain.
Here is a map of Paris showing the different districts
Paris Map
My personal preference is to stay on the Left Bank, somewhere close to Saint Germain. I like the way the neighborhood has so many local bakeries and restaurants. It just feels like a place you would call home.
Of course, deciding on your hotel will depend on your budget and how long you plan on being in Paris. Here is a list of hotels I recommend. There are plenty of hotels I have not tried yet, but the ones listed below are all good options. The first two hotels are less expensive than the rest of the choices.
Le Recambier $$ in St Germain
L' Abbaye $$ in St Germain
Hotel Lutetia - $$$ in St Germain
Le Bristol -$$$$
George V -
Restaurants, Cafes, & Bakeries Recommendations
One of the best things in Paris is the food. OMG, the food is just so amazing. However, you need to do some research before just jumping into the first bakery, cafe, or restaurant. If you go to the right places you will be very very happy but definitely do your homework so you are not disappointed.
On our latest trip, in the name of research, we looked for the best croissants and baguettes in Paris. Of course, we needed to make sure our sample size was large enough. Baguette research is challenging work :)
There are just so many good options. But probably my favorite Croissant is Poilâne Bakery #15 and Cedric Grolet #22. My favorite baguette is Du Pain et des Idées #24. However, the research is ongoing, and another trip might be necessary.
The list below includes more casual restaurants and bakeries that are all worth trying
Inside Cedric Grolet
Saint Pearl - Address: 38 rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris
Les Deux Magots - 6 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris
Le Café de Flore - 172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Cullilier 68, rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
%ARABICA 53-57 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
Marcello - 8 Rue Mabillon, 75006 Paris
Judy- 18 rue de Fleurus, 75006 Paris
Coutume Café -47 rue de Babylone, 75007 Paris
Bakus - 9 rue des Capucines 75001 Paris
L e s É d i t e u r s - 4, carrefour de l'Odéon
Barthélemy - the best cheese shop ever- 51 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
Le Comptoir De Relais -9 Carr de l'Odéon, 75006 Paris
Pierre Herme - located all over Paris
Maison Mulot - 76 Rue de Seine
Poilâne Bakery - All Over Paris
Meert -16 rue Elzévir 75003 Paris
Des Gateaux et du Pain - 89 Rue du Bac
La Maison d'Isabelle -47ter Bd Saint-Germain, 75005 Paris
Fou de Patisserie -64 Rue de Seine, 7th
Stohrer - 51 rue Montorgueil, 2nd
Cedric Grolet Opera - 35 avenue de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris
Jacques Genin -133 rue de Turenne, Paris 3ème
Du Pain et des Idées - 34 RUE YVES TOUDIC 75010 PARIS
Did I mention that cheese is also good in Paris? One of the most magical locations is the Barthélemy cheese shop. This place is truly amazing and should not be missed. It is a small shop that only allows 2 people inside at a time. But the selection and quality is unparalleled.
Food Tours & Sweet Secrets of Paris
By chance, we met Michelle, a chef and food tour guide. She owns a company called Sweet Secrets of Paris. She is super sweet (pun intended) and will take you on a food adventure you will not forget.
The most important thing to do in Paris is once you arrive in your hotel within the first hour of arriving a Hot Nutella Crepe is a must
Photography Gear & Advice
Regarding photography gear, my recommendation is 1 body ( i.e., Canon EOR R5, Nikon Z7) and 2 lenses (a very wide lens like the 15-35 mm and a medium telephoto 70-200mm). I do not own a lens like the 24-240mm, but that might be a good "1 and done" lens to take with you. I would also bring a Tripod and ND filters since the city is really fun to capture at night.
That time I ran into Serge Remelli in Paris
My List of the Best Places to Photograph In Paris
There are so many locations to shoot in Paris. There is something for everyone, depending on your interest. So if your interest is Architecture, Fashion, People, Food or the Classic sights it is all there to photograph. Like most locations shooting early in the morning is best since you have great light with no crowds. In the evening, you will have great light but crowds.
On this latest trip I really enjoyed taking photos at night. So bring a Tripod. Paris is one of the best cities in the world to photograph so you will undoubtedly come back with some incredible images.
Here is my Photography List in no particular order --(P means Paid and F means Free)
La Tour Montparnasse Rooftop (P)
The Montparnasse Tower Viewing Deck is on the 58th floor. There is a very lively bar on the rooftop, and you will need to pay about 9 Euros to take the elevator to the top. Once you are on the rooftop, you can use a tripod, and there is even a small gap in the glass where you can fit your camera lens. I would definitely bring a wide-angle lens and a telephoto. (Best at SUNSET/NIGHT)
Shot with a wider lens 15-35mm
Look at the difference when you shoot with a 70-200 mm
Using a 70-200 mm Lens
Cafe Au Canon Eiffel View (F)
There are a few locations where you get a photo of the Eiffel Tower using the leading line of the roadways. (Best at SUNRISE/SUNSET/NIGHT)
Pont de Bir Hakeim (F)
Pont Bir Hakeim is an amazing location. There are very few photographers that find this location but there are so many cool compositions that you find. (Best at SUNRISE/SUNSET/NIGHT)
You can take lots of great shots from Bir Hakim
Sacre Coeur (secret park) Square Marcel Bleustein (F)
One of the classic locations in Paris is the Sacre Coeur. You can photograph it from the front, but it will be very hard to get a clean shot without a million tourists.
But, if you walk around the backside to the Parc Marcel Bleustein Square, you will find the exact photo opportunity without the crowds. (Best at SUNRISE/SUNSET)
There is also the fun optical illusion of the “Sinking House” in Paris. The sinking house is one of those spots in Paris that is very popular to photograph. Obviously, this is just an optical illusion. If you have been to the Sacre Coeur then you have walked right by it.
The Sinking House
La Maison Rose
The artist Maurice Utrillo painted La Maison Rose, which he called “The Little Pink House” in the 1930s. You will see a lot of people taking selfies. Dead to Montmartre at sunrise to capture this charming café sans tourists.
Alexandre III bridge (F)
Pont Alexandre is my favorite bridge in Paris. There are so many photos you can take from this location. (Best at SUNSET/NIGHT). This is where I ran into the photographer Serge Remelli
There are so many compositions from this bridge
Right Next to the Bridge Looking towards Les Invalides
Instagrammers and Influencers
I find instagrammers and "influencers" to be fun to photograph. They actually put in so much work into taking photos. They often have multiple outfit changes and really make an effort.
It is fun to photograph these people
Booksellers along the Seine (- Shakespeare and Co)
The bookstores along the Seine are wonderful and always create a lot of photography opportunities. Right next to the Seine in the Quartier Latin, you will find the Shakespeare and Co bookstore.
Street Photography Saint Germain
I think the 2 best areas for Street Photography are Saint Germain/Quartier Latin and the area around the Marais. Of course, other areas are also good since there are so many well-dressed people to photograph. But there is something unique about these 2 areas that make them perfect for street photography.
Jardin du Luxembourg (F)
The Jardin du Luxembourg is the Central Park of Paris. It is just beautiful. What I especially love is that there are so many chairs for visitors to use. So you can sit, breathe, and watch the world. (Best at SUNRISE)
You can take wonderful people photos in the park
The Sainte Chapelle outside and inside (P)
Sainte Chapelle is a MUST. It is so breathtakingly beautiful that you will stand and stare at the beauty of the church. After a few moments, you will hopefully remember to take a photo. Even if you forget your camera, do not miss this incredible location. (Best on a Sunny Day).
I love Saint Chapelle there are so many photos opportunities
Les Invalides outside and inside (F/P)
I took this photo from the Trocadero at Sunrise with a 70-200 mm lens. So, if you go to the Trocadero/Eiffel Tower at sunrise, with its high vantage point, you can photograph other locations. (Best at SUNRISE/SUNSET)
Eiffel tower viewed from the Champs-de-Mars and from the street (F)
Unfortunately, you can no longer walk under the Eiffel Tower. You used to be able to walk right under it. It is now gated, and the visitor center is on the left, where people now queue to take the elevators to the top.
People Photography
There are so many great opportunities for Street Photography in Paris. Everyone is well dressed, and there are so many possibilities.
GRAFFITI in Paris
My favorite graffiti piece is located in Montmartre, and it looks like a photo. Each time I see it I just stand there for a few minutes admiring the skill of the artists.
But the best area for graffiti is in the 13th arrondissement
Galeries Lafayette
One of the best department stores in Paris is Galeries Lafayette. The iron dome in the center is just beautiful.
MUSEE RODIN
On a sunny day, I love walking through the musée Rodin. The museum also includes a beautiful garden. The museum is, of course, dedicated to the art of the sculptor Rodin.
There are so many incredible details to photograph
NOTRE DAME cathedral from the river bank (F)
These photos of Notre Dame were taken before the fire in 2019. Hopefully, it will be restored to its former glory soon.
Trocadero (F) view of THE Eiffel Tower Early Morning
If you visit the Trocadero at Sunrise, you will probably see about 10-20 photographers lined up with Tripods taking photos of the Eiffel Tower. Sometimes, you have to battle for a spot. There will also be tons of wedding photographers taking shots of couples.
I noticed this beautiful couple and had to take their photo
Montmartre (F)
Montmartre is a wonderful location to spend an afternoon. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes like Breizh Café. If you go to Montmartre at night, do not miss taking photos of Lamarck – Caulaincourt Metro Station In Montmartre. (Best at SUNRISE/SUNSET or NIGHT)
Metro Abbesses is one of the only Classic Metro Stations left in Paris
Arc de Triomphe (far side/rooftop and viewed from Champs-Elysees) Evening (P)
So there is an elevator to get to the rooftop deck. Unfortunately, I found out after I walked up the 274 steps of the spiral staircase. (Best at SUNSET/NIGHT). You are not allowed to use a Tripod but I might have tried to make sure if this was true. I absolutely love this location, and I think it is one of the best spots in Paris for Photography.
Centre Pompidou 5th floor (P) views of Sacre Coeur
Of course, I arrived at this location with the wrong lens. If you come here in the evening with a long lens, you can take a wonderful shot of the Sacre Coeur. And the center is open until 10:30 pm, so you can take an evening photo of Sacre Coeur. (Best at SUNSET)
View of Eiffel Tower from Corner of Rue de L’Universite and Avenue De La Boudonnaise (F)
This is a spot where you will find tons and tons of Instagrammers, but it is still a fun location. If you come in the morning, it is a lot easier to take a clean photo. (Best at SUNRISE)
Les Deux Magots & Cafe de Flore
Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore are the most well-known cafes in Paris. Hemingway and other famous writers used to write from here. This is another location where you will find tons of Instagrammers. (Best Anytime)
Do not miss trying their hot chocolate
Opéra Garnier
The opera house is beautiful but very very difficult to photograph since there are so many people. We were on the first tour, and I went right up to the Hall of Mirrors, but it was impossible to get a clean shot. (Best First thing in the morning or last tour)
To get a photo of the famous stairwell will test your patience but it can be done
2 Avenue de Camoens
This is a great location to get a different perspective of the Eiffel Tower with the stairwell.
Musée d’Orsay
My favorite museum in Paris is Musée D'Orsay. It is beautiful and not overwhelmingly large. One of the best photos is of the Clocks on the 5th Floor. There are 2 Clocks-one in the restaurant and another one on the other side of the building. The one on the other side of the building is better. (Best Sunny Day)
Do not miss the Clocks in the museum
My Wife
Avenue des Champs-Élysées (F)
I had to stand in the middle of the Champs-Elysees to get this long exposure shot. (Best at SUNSET)
Pont Des Arts
This is another classic location at sunrise to watch the sun come up over the Ile Saint Louis. (Best at SUNRISE). My suggestion is to shoot sunset from the Pont Des Arts and then walk into the Louvre and take photos of the Pyramids.
Louvre Pyramids (F)
The Louvre is an iconic location and museum. Probably the classic photo from this location are the IM Pei Pyramids. (Best at SUNRISE/SUNSET)
There are so many compositions from this location
You can download my Photography locations on the link below Download My Google Maps of Photography Locations. You can download my other photography guides here