Paris is a photographer's paradise. The quintessentially French cafes on every corner, the Eiffel Tower, so many grand, imposing buildings... From an aesthetic perspective, it's hard to beat. I've been to the city countless times, camera in hand, and yet am always finding new spots to snap. Every corner of the city is so charming that it's hard not to find photo fodder everywhere you look, however I thought I'd help get you started with a guide to my favourite Instagram locations in Paris. I've split the guide up into handy sections, from those iconic Eiffel Tower views to gram-worthy restaurants and cafes that make the French Capital so photogenic.
The Eiffel Tower
There are so many different viewpoints for a shot of the Eiffel Tower, but arguably the most famous (on the gram, at least), is this spot on Rue de l'Université. Get here early to avoid the crowds, as it's a popular spot and by around 10am it's usually rammed.
Rue de l'Université
Another popular one, this spot is atop a flight of stairs on Avenue de Camoens. The combination of that iconic view with beautiful Parisian architecture makes for a great shot, particularly in Autumn when the surrounding leaves turn brown. It can definitely get busy, however with a little patience it's not hard to nab a shot. Otherwise visit early to get it to yourself.
Avenue de Camoens
Iconic Paris Architecture
Arc de Triomphe
The imposing Arc de Triomphe is another classic spot for that "guys I'm in Paris!" gram snap. It's at the intersection of a large roundabout, so there's plenty of space around the arch to get a shot. There's always cars as it's a busy stretch of road, so be prepared to accept them or do some serious photoshopping. I usually go in the middle of the day, and there's the odd jostling but generally with some patience it's easy enough to capture.
Pont Alexandre III
This bridge may not initially scream "photogenic" however it's probably one of my favourite "low key" (well, by Paris standards, at least) locations for a photoshoot. There's plenty of different angles to try - you can even get the Eiffel Tower in if you try shooting on the bridge itself. It's another one you can visit any time of day, which is ideal - I'd recommend going around sunset and enjoying the beautiful colours over The Seine!
Palais Royal
The juxtaposition of the grand old building and these modern black and white plinths (I say modern, they were installed in the 80s, but comparatively!) could be a real eyesore - and I'm sure many Parisians think it is - however the result is a visually striking space that makes for a great photoshoot. It's become a bit of a Paris cliche, but hey, if it ain't broke? You can technically shoot here any time, however if you want to avoid a Photoshop job (and lot's of screaming kids), the earlier the better.
Palais Opera Garnier
The incredible Opera House in the centre of Paris is open for tours during the day. There's not a huge amount to look around, however the main draw is the incredible entrance staircase and this palatial hall (right). I've had mixed experiences shooting here, from having no issues to being told we can't before even taking a single snap, so I'd say proceed with caution! For minimal people, go at opening or closing.
Petit Palais
In Paris, even the average door is aesthetic! This door on the Av Winston Churchill side of the building is incredibly impressive both irl and in photos. We went later in the day around golden hour for this lighting - there may be some people sitting on the steps but for the most part it's not too busy.
Read more: My Paris Travel Guide
Instagrammable Paris Restaurants and Cafes
Restaurant le Train Bleu
Restaurant le Train Bleu, located somewhat randomly within Gare de Lyon train station, is a somewhat surreal experience. It feels like stepping inside a fairytale castle, with frescoed ceilings and plenty of ornate gold detailing. It gets busy from opening (these photos were taken just before), and it's a good idea to reserve a table in advance. The menu is unsurprisingly on the more expensive side, but I reckon it's worth it for such a magical interior!
Au Canon des Invalides
This classic French cafe might not look like much at first glance, but over the years it's become a popular Paris location thanks to its Eiffel Tower backdrop. Head to 54 Rue Saint-Dominique to snap this shot, which is easy enough to get any time of day if you don't mind dodging cars and foot traffic!
Pink Mamma
Pink Mamma (of the Big Mamma group) is an Italian trattoria that's become an Instagram staple in recent years, attracting long queues and sought after reservations. It's best known for it's striking teal bar and picturesque staircase - as well as it's delicious truffle pasta! Book in advance (beginning or end of a seating is best to avoid too many people).
Cafe Marly
I haven't actually included the Louvre in this guide, as the weird glass pyramid doesn't massively do it for me, soz. However I do quite enjoy this view of it from Cafe Marly in the grounds of the Louvre. There's a long row of tables all facing out onto the courtyard, so nabbing a table with a view shouldn't be too hard. Expect to pay an arm and a leg for the privilege.
Cafe Hugo
Cafe Hugo isn't really a popular Instagram spot to my knowledge, however I stumbled across it on a recent trip and loved how quintessentially Parisian it felt. It's a lovely local cafe a bit away from the hubbub of the centre, and does a mean tart. A great quiet spot to sit and watch the world go by (and maybe take a snap or twenty!).
Le Consulat
Le Consulat, up in the heady heights of Montmartre, feels like if someone from Disney was tasked with designing a perfectly Parisian cafe. The graphic signage, the red and green awning, and rows of outside seating all give it that oh so Paris vibe. That said, it's also the bane of my Paris shooting experience. I've tried several times but never managed to time it to the seating actually being out! It gets very busy, so go early if you want it quiet, or risk your luck and try later to capture the chairs unstacked.
Le Recrutement Cafe
This wasn't actually an intentional photo spot, but we ended up at Le Recrutement one morning for breakfast and it was so cute I decided to take a few pictures! Paris is full of aesthetic local bistros, and this one feels very classically French, with beautiful vintage-esque signage and striking red accents. It's very near to Au Canon (mentioned previously) so could be done together.
Le Maison Rose
If you're getting sick of the classic bistros, head on up to Montmartre for something a little different! Le Maison Rose is a charming restaurant and a total Instagram dream, with blush pink walls and green shutters. It feels straight out of a cosy French village, rather than the bustling streets of Paris. This area gets very busy, so the earlier the better. I've also heard stories about the owners being quite rude to people staging shoots, however I've never had any issues. Le Consulat is nearby, so combine the two - then head up to Sacre Coeur for the views!
Miscellaneous Paris Instagram Locations
The Seine
These makeshift stalls line the banks of The Seine, selling vintage books, prints, and tourist souvenirs. Painted a classic wagon green, the green boxes are opened up daily by the "bouquinistes" (booksellers), who set up their wares for tourists and passerby's. Some stalls have no photography signs, however others are fine with you taking a few pictures. Just remember to be respectful and not take up too much time and space.
Rue Cremieux
Another location that looks like it could have been transplanted from a French village. Rue Cremieux is a little further out of the way towards the east of the city, however it's worth a visit to this beautiful street to take in the picturesque pastel houses. Photography is not encouraged, so it's best to be quiet and efficient to keep disturbance to a minimum. P.S. these two photos were taken two years apart, which do you prefer?
The Moulin Rouge
Altogether now, "voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?". The famous Moulin Rouge is still up and running, and makes for a great photo op with it's distinctive red windmill. I went early, so can't really comment on how easy this shot is later in day, but I imagine it gets busy. My only regret? Not wearing a full on cabaret outfit!
Disneyland Paris
The Happiest Place on Earth! No true Disney kid can visit Paris without a trip to Disneyland, and while you're there, and you know the rules, if you didn't gram it, it didn't happen. The classic "I'm in Disney, living my best life" shot is the iconic Cinderella's castle, however it's a bit of a nightmare to get as it's the entrance to the park, so the crowds are endless. Try to go first thing, or better yet, stay overnight, as guests get early entry. We did not do either, so some photoshop trickery was involved. Magic!
Paris in Bloom
Shakespeare and Co
This vintage-esque bookshop is a draw in itself, however come Springtime cherry blossom frames it's exterior and turns it into a beautiful photo spot. We initially went in the middle of the day only to find the area crammed with queues waiting to go inside, so definitely aim to get there well before opening.
Jardins de la Tour Eiffel
In Spring the grounds surrounding The Eiffel Tower fill with blooms, making for an Instagram double whammy. The Eiffel Tower AND cherry blossom? May as well just give me all the likes now. It's not the easiest spot to shoot as there's always lots going on - if you go early, you'll miss the bulk of the crowds, however there were plenty of other photoshoots competing for space. Ideally head here soon after sunrise for the best chances of nabbing a shot, especially before the light gets too harsh.
Jardin des Plantes
This beautiful park is a little out of the way, however if you're lucky enough to be visiting Paris in the Spring, it's a must. The grounds are full of cherry blossom trees, however this is the most famous for it's view of the National Museum of Natural History. It's probably one of the biggest cherry blossom trees I've ever seen - in fact it's so big it's hard to photograph more than a fraction of it!
