The most photogenic places in Paris.
Whether it‘s for Instagram or for yourself, some places are really beautiful to photograph. So what do you say to a short walk in these places to take your most beautiful pictures ?
In the 1st arrondissement :
Les Colonnes de Buren :
Les Deux Plateaux, better known as “Buren’s Columns”, is a work of art by artist Daniel Buren, created with the help of Patrick Bouchain in the main courtyard of the Palais-Royal.
Le Musée du Louvre :
The famous Louvre pyramid. Made of glass and metal, it stands in the middle of the Cour Napoléon at the Musée du Louvre in Paris. This is where the museum’s main entrance is located.
In the 2nd arrondissement :
La Galerie Vivienne :
It was built in 1823 by architect François-Jean Delannoy. It was listed as a historic monument in 1974. It is one of the most emblematic galleries in Paris. Admire the period mosaic on the floor, and the light streaming through the superb glass roof.
In the 4th arrondissement :
La Place des Vosges :
One of the oldest squares in Paris. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1954. It’s a place steeped in history. Don’t hesitate to take a stroll under the arcades. You might discover the Maison de Victor Hugo at no. 6, now a museum, or the oldest graffiti engraved in 1764 by the writer Restif de la Bretonne at no. 11.
In the 5th arrondissement :
La Grande Mosquée de Paris :
It was built between 1922 and 1926. It is in the Hispano-Moorish style, with a 33-metre minaret, and was inspired by the Alhambra in Granada.
Admire the mosaics, fountains and garden.
It’s also a place to relax, with its hammam, tea room and restaurant.
In the 6th arrondissement :
Le Pont des Arts :
The Pont des arts or Passerelle des arts. This famous bridge was built between 1801 and 1804, and was the capital’s first iron bridge. Today’s bridge was built between 1981 and 1984 as a replica of the old one, damaged during the First and Second World Wars. It links the Institut de France and the Louvre Museum.
Le Café de Flore :
The famous Parisian café-restaurant is said to have opened in 1887, but the actual date is not known (1884, 1885 or 1887?). It owes its name to a sculpture of the Déesse de Flore on the other side of boulevard Saint-Germain.
Over the years, it became a meeting place for some of the world’s greatest writers, intellectuals, poets, painters and film-makers. It became the setting for some of Paris’s most emblematic figures.
To name but a few: Apollinaire in 1913, then in the 30s Simone De Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway and Albert Camus. In the 60’s, we find film stars such as Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, Serge Gainsbourg and Belmondo, as well as fashion icons such as Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld and Paco Rabanne.
In the 7th arrondissement :
La Rue de l’Université :
In the 12th century, the University of Paris acquired an area of land along the Seine, west of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-Des-Prés, to which it had previously belonged, and named it the Pré-aux-Clercs.
In 1639, the University sold the Pré-aux-Clercs. It was subdivided to become a new district of Paris, and the main street was named “Rue de l’Université”.
Le Square Rapp :
This little street in the 7th arrondissement has all the makings of a big one. It’s a real postcard setting amidst a handful of buildings: only 4 of them overlook the lane. Each has its own style and is well worth a visit. A perfect architectural blend of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Neo-Gothic.
As for the square, it’s barely 50 meters long, with incredible charm and a magical view of the Eiffel Tower.
In the 8th arrondissement :
Le Petit Palais :
It was built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition by architect Charles Girault. It houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, and faces the Grand Palais.
Here you can discover superb collections, from Antiquity to the early 20th century. You can also take a stroll in the interior garden.
Note: the permanent collections are free all year round.
Le Pont Alexandre III :
Inaugurated for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, it’s one of the city’s most emblematic bridges.
Named after the Tsar of Russia (Alexander III), it was the symbol of Franco-Russian friendship, an alliance established in 1891 between Emperor Alexander III and French President Sadi Carnot.
The four ends represent the Renommée des Arts, des Sciences, du Commerce et de l’Industrie.
It links Les Invalides on one side, and the Grand and Petit Palais on the other.
La Maison Louis Vuitton :
It opened in 2017, and the brand didn’t choose this location by chance. In 1854, Louis Vuitton opened its first store a few streets away.
The entire Louis Vuitton universe has been brought together here, from travel collections to home decor and fashion.
You’ll find a majestic space dedicated to all the House’s savoir-faire, displayed in two private mansions that have now been reunited.
In the 9th arrondissement :
Le Rooftop des Galeries Lafayette :
For a superb view, the 8th floor is the place to be.
The rooftop offers an exceptional panorama of the most beautiful Parisian monuments: the Opéra Garnier, the Eiffel Tower, the Sacré Coeur Basilica and the majestic cupola.
Day or evening, your photos will be magnificent.
You can also enjoy a drink, lunch or dinner.
In the 12th arrondissement :
La Rue Crémieux :
A colorful street that was previously rather unknown and was a little treasure hidden from influencers or tourists.
Its colorful houses date back to 1993, when the street was entirely paved at the request of its residents. In exchange, the Mairie de Paris asked residents to spruce up their facades, with some choosing flashy colors and others pastel tones.
In the 14th arrondissement :
La Rue des Thermopyles :
There’s a country atmosphere in this street, where wisteria and climbing ivy line the facades of the houses. It’s very pleasant to stroll along, taking the time to observe the old houses, the pretty cobblestones and the greenery.
No cars here! You can walk, cycle and, above all, enjoy the peace and quiet.
It’s like being in the provinces, far from the noise and nuisance of the capital.
In the 16th arrondissement :
Les Jardins du Trocadéro :
This magnificent garden was created for the 1937 Specialized Exhibition on the site of the previous Palais du Trocadéro garden, which had been created for the 1878 Universal Exhibition.
It’s here that you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the beautiful Iron Lady.
You can stroll here every day, day and night. Observe the pretty fountains during the day and the play of light when night falls.
In the 18th arrondissement :
La Maison Rose :
This is the most beautiful house in Montmartre. It’s as beautiful to photograph in the middle of the day as it is in the evening, on a sunny or cloudy day.
This famous house was bought in 1905 by a Catalan painter, Ramon Pichot, who was friends with Picasso and Dali.
It was one house among many.
In 1908, he married Germaine Gargallo, a Montmarte figure and painter’s model.
After a trip to Spain, Germaine decided to repaint the façade pink and opened the restaurant “La Maison Rose”.
Le Sacré Cœur :
Consecrated in 1919, the basilica sits atop the Butte Montmartre, offering a panoramic view of Paris from 130 meters above sea level.
It is built in the Romanesque-Byzantine style, and is recognizable by its white color.
Inside, the ceiling is decorated with the largest mosaic in France, measuring 480 m².
The dome offers a 360° view of the capital.
In the 20th arrondissement :
Le Parc De Belleville :
Until the 18th century, Belleville was a rural area. La Colline de Belleville was a place where vineyards, farms, windmills and “guinguettes” (dance halls) rose up among the crops. It was a poor village.
In the 19th century, modest populations moved in and transformed the neighborhood.
The Parc de Belleville was created in 1988 on the heights of the hill, offering a panoramic view of Paris.
Not forgetting its wine-growing past, the park boasts 140 vines that are harvested every year.