Short answer: in Paris, shoot Trocadéro in the first hour after sunrise, Montmartre early in the morning, Pont Alexandre III about an hour before sunset, and the Luxembourg Gardens work best for families. For a one-hour session, two locations are enough.
There is no shortage of good photo locations in Paris. But each one has its hour, and turning up at the wrong moment can spoil even the finest spot.
Trocadéro: the Eiffel Tower head-on
This is where the classic frame is taken, with the whole tower in the background. The first hour after sunrise is ideal. In the afternoon the place is very busy. It is also the most searched-for backdrop for a solo Paris photoshoot.
Montmartre: above the city
Narrow streets, stairways, the view over Paris from the forecourt of the Sacré-Cœur. Early in the morning the streets are quiet.
Since the neighbourhood is walked rather than driven, bring comfortable shoes: there are a lot of steps.
Pont Alexandre III: late afternoon
The most ornate bridge in Paris. Gilded statues, wide railings. Late in the afternoon, about an hour before sunset, the light there is particularly soft.
The Louvre and the Palais-Royal
The glass pyramid and the inner courtyards. The striped columns of the Palais-Royal are heavily photographed, but the courtyard itself is often quieter.
The Jardin du Luxembourg: for families
Wide, green, the most comfortable of all for families with children. A pond, tree-lined paths, benches everywhere.
How to choose
For a one-hour session, two places are enough: the walk or the ride between them is part of the time. For three places, allow an hour and a half.
I know which spots sit close to each other. Just tell me the style you like, and we build the route together.
To see what these places give in practice, the portfolio has examples.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best spot for a photo with the Eiffel Tower?
Trocadéro, in the first hour after sunrise; in the afternoon it’s very crowded.
How many locations for a one-hour session?
Two are enough; for three locations, allow an hour and a half.
Which place works for a family with kids?
The Luxembourg Gardens: large, green, with a pond and benches everywhere.
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