After polling you guys on a recent Instagram post, it seemed that many of you wanted a comprehensive list of most Instagrammable places in Paris regardless if you had an upcoming trip or not. I definitely cannot say that I am a Paris veteran after only visiting the beautiful city twice, however each time included so much exploration and walking that I feel that I finally have a decent grip on the city, its layout, and some beautiful places for the perfect photos. I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that after dreaming of Paris, I finally got to go for my first time ever earlier this year, and I’m now rounding out a total of 3 trips to France within this single year alone. Life can definitely be a tricky little thing and sometimes it works its magic in ways that you don’t expect.

If a trip to Paris is in your upcoming calendars, or you’re still dreaming of going to Paris like I was earlier this year and purely just want to window shop pre-emptively, make sure to bookmark this post so that you can go back to it when you’re referencing places for your itinerary!

All of the locations have been organized into the different categories that are most frequently searched for online in order to aid the building out of your itinerary. I’ve also included the ideal times to arrive at each location at in order to avoid crowds (if that’s something that is a priority of yours), because while many of them definitely require an early morning start, many also do not. Night owls fear not! You can definitely sleep in and still get amazing photos at some places that are empty pretty much all day long.

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Eiffel Tower

With the Eiffel Tower being the centre piece of Paris, it’s hard to not want a picture of it. But instead of shooting it directly head on (as many people do), there are so many other beautiful vantage points across the city that offer a stunning view of it as well. After having been to Paris twice, and with the intention of creating captivating content for both my blog and Instagram and for clients, I’ve found a solid handful of different locations that are perfectly suited for capturing the Eiffel Tower in all of its glory.

Rue de l’Université

This beautiful cobble stone road is on the south side of the Seine River, and it gives a stunning view of the base of the tower with the quintessential Parisian architecture flanking either side of it. If you come during the summer season, you’ll be able to catch some amazing foliage in the background as well. Showing up during the fall season may give you some beautiful added autumnal colours to your picture. Although many people who show up to get their photos taken here, if you’re patient enough, you’ll be able to find a window of time to take yours. This isn’t that busy of a location compared to many others.

Timing: Anytime – although if you’re not adept to taking photos while being backlit (when the light is behind you), it might be best to show up anytime before 12 PM.

Avenue de Camoens

Another stunning little cobble stone sidewalk with a little balcony ledge that is great for either a standing or sitting photo. Instead of the bottom of the tower, this location offers a view of the top 2/3 of the tower. This location offers a bunch of different angles as you can either shoot straight onto the balcony to capture the tower and an apartment building in the background, or directly to the left is a beautiful apartment complex with stunning windows and doors. Both of the times that we visited Paris, the apartment building was under reconstruction so we weren’t able to photograph it, but the hope is to be able to go back one day and do it! This is a lesser known location so won’t likely run into anyone else there while you’re shooting.

Timing: Anytime

Trocadéro

One of my all time favourite places to shoot the Eiffel Tower is at Trocadéro. It’s almost impossible to get an ugly photo here, but at the same time it’s almost impossible to shoot a perfect picture there if you show up too late into the day. The best time of the day to shoot here is as early in the morning as possible. Ideally before any of the tour buses show up with hordes of tourists. In one of my recent Paris posts, I shared some tips to nailing the perfect photo at Trocadéro, so make sure to check it out!

Timing: Sunrise – go as early as you can as this location is an extremely popular tourist spot so it’ll get busy quite quickly.

Trocadéro Carousel

This beautiful two-story carousel is near the Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower. Situated near the base of the tower, side shots of the carousel will capture the tower in all of its majestic glory. I personally love photos of the carousel itself too for a different style of photos from what people usually shoot in Paris.

Timing: Right after 10 AM – the carousel isn’t open to public until there, and becomes an instant attraction for young children and tourists around, so show up immediately after it opens.

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Beautiful Restaurant/Café Fronts

You can’t go to Paris without grabbing a coffee at one of their beautiful cafés at least once. And if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right. I’ve found that the coffee is equally as good anywhere that you go, so if your goal is to get a cute photo while drinking coffee, save one of these cafés below! Although, you’ll definitely be able to find many other cute cafés as well—I mean every single place with those adorable Parisian chairs qualifies as cute to me!

Maison Sauvage

I have no other words for this restaurant besides “wow” and “oh my god“—and I’m not even religious. It literally begs to be photographed, so photographed it shall. Since the roads here are often filled with pedestrians, not many vehicles tend to drive through it. While this make give off the perception that it’s easier to take photos since there are no cars zipping around, please don’t assume that that is the case. The streets can often get quite packed with people, especially closer to dinner, so you’ll need extra patience for this location, or just show up earlier in the day to avoid the dinner rush.

Timing: Anytime before dinner – this place fills up quick and is situated on a street chalk full of other restaurants that are frequented by tourists on the regular.

Chez Marianne

Another beautiful and floral-decorated restauranted is Chez Marianne. This place has a slightly different colour palette and isn’t situated on as busy of a street so taking pictures in front of isn’t as challenging as Maison Sauvage.

Timing: Anytime after lunch – this restaurant is very well known for their falafel and patrons often flock there for lunch.

Café de Flore

This super popular café is well known to tourists due to it’s amazing menu but also beautiful design, so you’ll probably have to wait for your turn to take your photos.

Timing: Anytime – keep in mind that this is a busy intersection for both pedestrians and cars, so be patient and take your time when it comes to taking photos.

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The Classics

Besides getting in pictures of the Eiffel Tower and various coffee shops around town, there are so many other classic Parisian landmarks that make for beautiful photos as well. Below are some of my favourites, but definitely aren’t the only ones!

Arc de Triomph

You can’t leave Paris without a photo of the Arc de Triomph! And before you ask, yes we managed to get photos of it without any vehicles and people in the background for one reason, and one reason only—Antipollution Day. It’s a day where no vehicles are allowed to be on the road (except for some specific exceptions) between 11 AM – 6 PM, which makes it ideal for photo taking!

Timing: Anytime – as traffic here never ever really stops, you can never truly guarantee that it’ll be empty in the background.

Pont Alexandre III

This stunning bridge literally begs to be photographed. It’s slightly diagonal to the Seine, so you’ll have to play around with the angles to find one that you like. I personally prefer the North Bank, but it often gets quite busy as many tourists pool around there as well.

Timing: Anytime – but I personally prefer during sunset for a more colourful and beautiful backdrop.

Palais-Royal

How can you pass on the fun checkered columns? Not only can you run in between the pillars, but you can stand on top of them as well for a variety of different photos.

Timing: Anytime – as this is a atrium to an office building, it isn’t that popular with tourists and is often empty.

Petit Palais

This beautiful gold gate is a vision to capture but is only shut after it closes in the evening.

Timing:  In the evening

Café Marly

You know that photo that everyone keeps posting of themselves leaning against a railing drinking coffee with the Louvre in the background? Yep, it’s Café Marly.

Timing: Anytime – though you may need to wait to get a table against the railing.

Château de Versailles

The palace is anywhere from a half-to-full day trek, so take your time when taking your pictures here. I promise you it’ll be worth the experience though!

Timing: As early as possible – this is an extremely popular tourist spot so it gets busy very quickly.

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The Lesser Knowns

Rooftop of Galeries Lafayette

The palace is anywhere from a half-to-full day trek, so take your time when taking your pictures here. I promise you it’ll be worth the experience though!

Timing: Anytime – not that many tourists think to go to the roof of Galeries Lafayette so you’re safe here!

Rue Cremieux

If London is on your bucket list and you’ve always dreamed of getting lost amongst the pastel houses of Notting Hill, then Rue Cremieux is definitely a destination that you’re going to want to add to your itinerary!

Timing: Anytime – this isn’t that popular of a tourist destination so it isn’t that busy. We didn’t see more than 6-8 people taking pictures at any one time.

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I hope that you found some new places to add to your itinerary for your upcoming or future trips to Paris. There are so many more places that I’d love to continue adding to this post in the future, and I definitely hope to grow this post to become something that is a comprehensive guide for Instagrammers visiting Paris. So if there are any places that you feel that I may have missed, or would warrant a spot in this post, please feel free to comment and let me know!

Photography Credits: The Dunk Listt, Mel Inspired