Most couples preparing a proposal in Paris get the same two things wrong: the hour of the day, and the season. Those two details decide both how the photos look and how the moment goes.
The hour: getting up early changes everything
The Trocadéro, the esplanade where the Eiffel Tower is visible in full, is one of the busiest spots in Paris. In the first hour after sunrise, it is almost deserted. That is the best moment of the day, for the light and for the quiet.
In the afternoon, the same place fills with tour buses, other couples there for the same idea, and street vendors. It is not impossible, but going down on one knee in front of a hundred people changes the experience.
The season: crowds or light
April to June and September to October are the most pleasant for light. The days are long, the weather is mild, the trees are green.
July and August are the busiest months. The light is still good, but expect to queue at every viewpoint.
Many people rule out winter, when it has a real advantage: hardly anyone is there. The days are short and it gets dark around four, but the Trocadéro becomes almost private. With clothes made for the cold, winter sessions produce very good images.
How long to allow
The proposal itself takes a few minutes. But between arranging the meeting point and moving straight into a couple session, allow an hour in total.
However many days you have in Paris, do not put the proposal on the first one. A delayed flight, a lost suitcase, the tiredness of travelling: the second morning almost always goes better, and the rest of the trip is more relaxed.
A few practical notes
Keep the ring on you rather than handing it to me, so nothing goes wrong at the moment itself.
We check the forecast together two days before, and if rain is likely I plan a fallback spot. In Paris the rain rarely lasts long, and waiting is usually enough.
If your partner does not know what to wear, a simple “we are going somewhere nice for dinner that evening” is still the best excuse.
Want to go further with the preparation? I set out the whole sequence on the marriage proposal page.
See also: how the photographer stays invisible during a surprise proposal