If you’re planning a shoot in Paris, you’ve probably already seen the same five spots on every photographer’s Instagram. And yes, they’re popular for a reason. But there’s a lot of nuance to shooting in this city that doesn’t make it into the highlight reel. I’ve been photographing here for ten years, and every single one of these locations has surprised me at some point, either in a good way or a “why didn’t anyone warn me about the dust” way.

Here’s my honest breakdown of the best photography locations in Paris, what makes them work, and what to watch out for.

Trocadéro

Trocadéro is the obvious choice for a reason. The view of the Eiffel Tower from here is unbeatable, and the morning light is genuinely spectacular. If you can be there by 7 AM, you’ll have the esplanade mostly to yourself.

After 10 or 11 AM though, it gets crowded fast, and I mean shoulder-to-shoulder in summer. The good news is that a lot of the construction that made the space feel cramped for years is now finished, so there’s actually much more room to move around and frame shots without scaffolding in your background.

One thing a lot of photographers overlook: if you cross the street and walk down the stairs toward the Seine, you reach the riverbank. There are some genuinely secluded spots down there, and it’s a great option for proposals in particular. Just know that it also gets packed on weekends. I’ve shown up to find six different elopement groups shooting within the same stretch.

In spring, there are cherry blossom trees near the Trocadéro gardens, which are beautiful and worth planning around. There’s also a children’s playground in the area, which is a great way to end a family session on a high note. Kids who’ve been standing still for photos for an hour become completely themselves the moment you point them at a slide.

Palais Royal

The Colonnes de Buren (those black and white striped columns) are famous among photographers and basically irresistible to children, which makes this a genuinely useful location for family shoots. But Palais Royal offers more than just the columns. You’ve got classical French architecture, a beautiful central fountain, those iconic metal garden chairs, and a contained garden that keeps little kids from wandering into traffic.

A few things to know. First, the garden is enclosed, which is wonderful for families. Second, the ground is unpaved, dusty beige gravel. If you’re photographing anyone in dark clothing and they pick up a child, that dust is going on their outfit. Warn your clients.

The garden itself is also fairly bare from autumn through early spring. The flowers are in a closed-off section you can’t access, and the fountain isn’t always running. Even when it’s still, it photographs well, but manage your expectations for lush greenery.

Afternoons get busy, partly because there’s a school nearby. Morning shoots work best here.

The Louvre

Most photographers think “pyramid” and stop there. But the Louvre is enormous, and that’s actually its biggest advantage. There are so many different architectural angles within the complex that you can almost always find a clean background even in the middle of summer at peak tourist hours. The surrounding wings offer incredible classical stonework, archways, and shaded areas that are hard to find elsewhere in the city.

It’s also fully enclosed, so no cars, no bicycles, no street-level noise. For family shoots or anything where you want to contain the frame, that matters.

Regarding permits: you do not need a permit to photograph at the Louvre (or most public spaces in Paris) as long as you’re doing personal photography such as a family session, engagement, or couples shoot. If you’re running a styled shoot with a larger crew or visible production setup, you may be approached by security. In my experience, calmly explaining that it’s personal use has always been enough to continue. The key is traveling light and not looking like a commercial production.

Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens

Both gardens are attached to something larger (Tuileries to the Louvre, Luxembourg to the Sénat) and both are stunning. Luxembourg Gardens in particular has a beautiful central pond where kids rent small toy sailboats in summer, which makes for genuinely charming family photos.

The catch is that both gardens have set opening and closing hours, and they do close. If you’re planning an early morning shoot, check the schedule in advance because you may find a locked gate.

Parc Monceau

This smaller park is a little off the beaten path and that’s part of its appeal. The lush greenery and ornamental details make it feel more intimate than the big gardens. On weekdays it’s peaceful. On weekends, it fills up with joggers and families, and the path is narrow enough that you’ll be stepping out of the way constantly. I’d save this one for weekday sessions.

Paris Streets

The Paris street aesthetic is everywhere in photography, but the reality of shooting on Parisian streets is that they are narrow, often busy, and full of parked bicycles, garbage bins, and cars. The romance is real, but it requires a lot of editing or very careful framing.

The streets that actually photograph well tend to be the quieter side streets in the Marais, Saint-Germain, or the 7th arrondissement. Avoid the big boulevards unless you specifically want the city energy. And always scout on foot before a shoot.

Pont Alexandre III

The gilded details on the lamp posts and statues on this bridge are genuinely beautiful, especially in morning or golden hour light. You can also walk down the stairs to the riverbank for a lower angle that puts the bridge and the Eiffel Tower in the same frame. It does get busy, so early morning is the move here too.

A Note on Permits in Paris

For personal photography (client sessions, family shoots, engagements), you do not need a permit. For styled shoots, the situation is more complicated. Applying for a permit requires months of lead time, is conducted entirely in French, and costs money. Personally, I’ve never obtained one and have never been removed from a location, though I’ve been approached a handful of times. The approach is always the same: explain politely that it’s personal photography, not a commercial production.

For styled shoots, I strongly recommend also booking a hotel room or renting a venue as a backup. Paris weather is unreliable, and having an indoor option means a surprise rainstorm doesn’t cancel your whole shoot.