Where to do your portraits: Paris Photographer Locations 2023 Update

The majority of my clients have never been to France and only know the country from films and photos, or they visited once a long time ago. So, I have created this location guide to help the first timers in Paris and to refresh the memories of returnees. Besides the Eiffel Tower, there are plenty of other amazing spots perfect for your portrait session. My Instagram account serves as a main entry for locations, but this guide explains the Pros and Cons of each of them and it also goes into details of logistics.

Pont Neuf & Place Dauphine

Right in the center of Paris on the opposite side of Notre Dame's island, this combo of locations have become a little bit more known thanks to Emily in Paris - at least Place Dauphine. In summer, the trees of along this plaza are lush with pink flowers in the second half of May. In winter, they are completely bare, but it allows for more light to the benches underneath. A few steps away is Pont Neuf - a gorgeous bridge with little alcoves where you can sit. Both of this locations can be used any time of the day as long as there is time to grab the best moment without having too many people in the frame.

Pros: Parisian architecture views along the sides of the Seine without the crowds, tasteful view of the Eiffel Tower in the background, a beautiful garden.

Cons: it requires around 40 minutes to complete the portraits without rush and with no people, requires transport if part of larger itinerary.

Alexander 3 Bridge & Rue Saint-Dominique

Possibly the most photogenic bridge in Paris. Elegant with dark and gold details, it's one of the staple locations for photoshoots in Paris. Cartier just released a whole ad campaign with Rami Malek and Catherine Deneuve set on this bridge, it's that emblematic.

Like most of the locations in Paris, the best time to shoot here is early in the day. All four sides of the bridge offer gorgeous views - Invalides stands at south end of the bridge while Grand & Petit Palais stand on the northern side. Then on the sides you have views of the Louvre covered in soft light at sunrise and a stoic view of the Eiffel Tower on the opposite side. All year round, this bridge gives itself for a great setting for your photos.

A short walk away from this bridge is Rue Saint Dominique and a really iconic Café on social media - Le Recrutement. This is an ideal combo for a 1 hour photoshoot with a more city orientated look of the Eiffel Tower.

Pros: classical Parisian location, comfortable to reach, proximity to Grand/Pelit Palais and views of the Eiffel Tower.

Cons: it gets busy during the day, susceptible to fencing during festivities.

Louvre & Palais Royal

It was the royal palace of the French monarchy, now it is one of the most popular museums of the planet and a beautiful garden. The architecture is majestic and timeless mixed with the modernism of pyramid and a gorgeous garden a quick walk. Being a popular museum, scheduling the photos early is key - early mornings or on Tuesdays when the museum is closed. Later in the day is still possible, but it will be super slow with really selective angles to hide the crowds. For Palais Royal, only mornings are recommended.

Pros: as Parisian as it gets.
Cons: closures for VIP/fashion events, once a year security decides photographers are not allowed, no balloons allowed.

Luxembourg

Personally, it's the best garden in Paris. The flowers get changed with the seasons to go with the colors of the trees - vibrant colors in summer, warm yellows and oranges for fall. It is a bit isolated location-wise with the closest being Notre Dame area, but it is a good spot to wrap up your session.

It is technically the backyard of the French Senate, but it rarely gets affected by the politics. You will see some armed guards by the fences, but that is it. There is a large fountain in the center surrounded by Palm Trees. Yes, Palm Trees in Paris.

Pros: Parisian Garden, Parisian Architecture, green and not urban.
Cons: crowded during daytime hours, but possible.

Notre Dame, St. Michel
& St. Louis

Ever since the fire in 2019 - Notre Dame has been under reconstruction. So it's not really that requested anymore, but the area around it still works perfectly for photos. There are two cafés - the cuter one being Saint Régis on Ile Saint Louis if the staff allows. There are the alleys on the St Michel side as well and beautiful scenes by the water.

Pros: cute small Parisian streets, wide variety of views.
Cons: crowded during daytime hours, reconstruction.

Trocadéro & Eiffel Tower

Trocadéro - the most direct view of the Eiffel Tower. Unlike in the movies where they have the whole plaza for themselves, we need to get up bright and early to avoid the masses. That’s the trick. Starting times go from 630am in Summer to 930am in Winter.

The balcony shots are no longer available as they installed barriers for people to sit on the ledges.

For afternoon shoots - there are Bir Hakeim, Passy and lower Trocadero Gardens.

Pros: the view, that view, and just the view.
Cons: only available in the morning, it has become crowded in the mornings by other photographers, walking shoes are a must if you’re not comfortable in heels (cobblestones).

Passy

Here is another classic view of the Eiffel Tower that can be used at any point of the day. It can be added to a route in the morning after Trocadéro or in the afternoon after Bir Hakeim.

Pros: any time of day is possible here
Cons: it is just the one angle/view

Bir Hakeim

If you are into movies as much as I am, you will recognise this bridge from Christopher Nolan's Inception. This is the to-go spot for a good Eiffel Tower view during the day if the morning time is not possible. In the middle of the bridge on the side facing the Tower, there is a small balcony of sorts with a statue and it is perfect for photos. It is also a short walk away from Trocadéro and Passy.

Pros: unobstructed Eiffel Tower view, accessible any time of the day.
Cons: popular spot for wedding shoots (can get busy specially in the weekends).

Montmartre

The home of the Sacred Heart Basilica - or Sacre Coeur - on top of the hills of Montmartre, it is by far one of my favorite places to start a morning session with the city of Paris starting to get blanketed by the sunlight. Then, the cute streets of the neighbourhood are filled with cafés, stores, and art galleries that add to the magic of the place. It also has some vineyards by the Maison Rosé and the LoveWall at the bottom of the hills.

Pros: the Paris city view and the streets.
Cons: only available in the mornings due to crowds.

MAKE PARIS AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER

Now let's go create those memories.

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