Skip to Content

The 20 Most Instagrammable Places in Paris

Looking for the most Instagrammable places in Paris? Look no further, I’ve rounded up the 20 of the best and most photogenic spots in the city to help you snap those perfect Paris photos!

Ahhh Paris…is there not a more beautiful and photogenic city? Personally, I think not. I absolutely fell in love with the City of Lights, and to me, the whole city is Instagrammable – I definitely could not stop snapping photos during my 2 days in Paris.

There is no shortage of amazing places to take pictures in Paris, and I definitely made sure to include some of the top Paris Instagram spots on my Paris Bucket List, in between all visiting all the world-class museums and attractions, and eating allllll of the best pastries in Paris!

But what if you are looking for the best of the best photo spots in Paris? You’ve come to the right place, because I am here to show where you where the most Instagrammable places in Paris are!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Pictures & Words is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you.

The Most Instagrammable Places in Paris

1. Eiffel Tower

Ok, but this one needs no explanation, right? Nothing symbolizes Paris more than the Eiffel Tower, and she is a beaut. Honestly, you will not be able to stop snapping photos of this iconic Parisian landmark, which makes it one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

Going up to the top of the Eiffel Tower is one of those touristy AF things to do in Paris, but it’s definitely something that everyone needs to do once on their Paris bucket list! While you can get a cool, up-close shot of the Eiffel Tower looking up at it, there are much better photo spots of the Eiffel Tower that you need to check out as you find the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

Quite possibly the best place to see and photograph the Eiffel Tower is Trocadero, which sits directly across the river from it. You are situated right in front of it and it makes for the perfect shot of the Eiffel Tower.

Three places to get that perfect Instagram shot: along the tiled floor, on the staircase, and with the carousel. Be aware that 345930485340958 people will also know that this is one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

The Trocadero is definitely one of the most popular Paris Instagram spots, and is a favorite amongst both tourists and local photographers. In order to get a photo without 32894723947 other people in it, you will have to visit around sunrise.

I visited Paris in the winter, and while the good news was that sunrise was around 8:30am and I didn’t have to drag myself out of bed toooo early in the morning (this girl loves her sleep), the weather was still overcast and the top of the Eiffel Tower was hidden in fog. Unfortunately, Paris was my last stop on this specific trip to Europe and I only had one day there, so this was the best I could do!

Fog or no fog, I still think the Eiffel Tower looks beautiful!

Can’t get enough of the Eiffel Tower? Here are even more of the most Instagrammable places in Paris to take Eiffel Tower photos!

  • From one of Paris’s bridges – I snapped the above photo from the Pointe Alexandre III.
  • From the top of the Arc de Triomphe – you get a lovely perspective of the Eiffel Tower against the Paris skyline.
  • Rue de’l Université, with its cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture
  • Pont d’Iena, which connects Trocadero to the Eiffel Tower. Also a great spot to watch the light show at night.
  • Bir Hakiem Bridge (formerly known as Pont de Passy), which connects the 15th and 16th arrondissements. Beautiful iron architecture, plus you get to see the foliage on the bottom of the Eiffel Tower.
  • Champs de Mars – especially beautiful in the spring, when the cherry blossoms are blooming in front of the Eiffel Tower!
  • From the rooftop of the Galleries Lafayette and Printemps department stores.
  • From the river banks of the Seine – especially near the Trocadero.

Eiffel Tower Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Trocadero Address: Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre
Eiffel Tower Hours: 9am-12:45am, daily
Eiffel Tower Admission: €10.40-25.90, buy tickets here

2. The Louvre

Arguably the best art museum in the world, and perhaps the most beautiful – the one thing everyone can agree on is that the Louvre is one of the best places to take pictures in Paris. The fusion of classic architecture of the main museum building, along with the modern glass pyramids (which were controversial when they were first built) makes it an interesting subject to photograph.

The outdoor courtyard is the most popular when photographing the Louvre, but the inside halls are absolutely ornate and gorgeous and may also be a good photo op for your Instagram feed.

Another awesome photo spot at the Louvre is from the entrance gate on Rue de Rivoli and Rude de Marengo – the mini pyramid and large pyramid stack up perfectly with each other, and are framed so nicely by the arch of the gate itself!

The Louvre is also one of those places that is super popular, so if you want a shot without a horde of people cramping up your style, come to photograph it on a day that the museum is closed (every Tuesday).

This wasn’t actually my intent when I did it – I just didn’t realize it was closed that day – but it worked out well (just be sure to make time on your Paris itinerary to come back to explore the museum because it really is the best art museum in the world).

Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Hours: Wednesday-Monday 9am-6pm, closed Tuesdays
Admission: €17 – you must buy a timed entry ticket – prebook here.

3. Palais Royal

Not far from the Louvre is the Palais Royal, which has become known as one of the Instagrammable places in Paris with its iconic striped black and white columns. Did you know that these columns, named Buren’s Columns, were a once a controversial art installation?

These 260 columns extend from the basement and extend up to the surface at different heights, and were nearly destroyed multiple times. Good thing they weren’t, because now it is one of the best photo spots in Paris.

It’s fun to play around with the different heights of these columns! There will be a fair amount of people here, but if you angle your shot the right way, you’ll be able to get a shot without them! I found that shooting with the columns near the back, closest to the building were the best ones to get a shot.

Address: 8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France
Hours: 8am-10:30pm

4. Palais Garnier

Have you seen a more spectacular opera hall than the Palais Garnier? Yeah, didn’t think so. Seriously though, these ornate ceilings and grand staircases are a sight to behold, making it one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

You can book a tour to see the facilities without attending a performance, but I would absolutely love to see an opera performance there someday.

Address: Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France
Tickets: €12, book tour here

5. Notre Dame

The famous Notre Dame cathedral is one of the prime examples of Gothic architecture and the architectural details on the main facade,are all absolutely spectacular. What makes it even more impressive is when you take into account that this was all built without modern machinery. Seriously mind-blowing and one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

Tragically, a fire destroyed part of the Notre Dame in 2019 and it remains fenced off. The rear of the cathedral, which had some stunning Gothic details, was also burned down. It is unknown when and if this part of the church will be rebuilt.

However, the iconic facade with the twin towers still stand. While you cannot get right up close to it, you can still snap a photo from the street- I actually preferred this view. Try snapping a photo of the facade from Pont Norte Dame for the perfect shot.

6. Rue Crémieux

Paris has no shortage of photogenic streets, but Rue Crémieux might take the cake for being the most Instagrammable street in all of Paris. But seriously, how can one ever resist those pretty pastel facades? Who wants to move into one of these houses with me (I promise I will be a super cool neighbor)?

My hotel during my first visit to Paris (which I highly recommend) was about a 15 minute walk from Rue Crémieux, and no joke, I stopped by 4 times. I was just that in love with it. It also definitely has a reputation as one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris, so at any given time, you will see about 5 other photo shoots going on (which actually  makes for some good people watching).

Do keep in mind that this is a residential street and that it is super important to be mindful and respectful! Just take a few shots super quickly, and don’t make a lot of noise. Also be aware that some of the houses have “no photos” signs in front of them, so be respectful of these residents’ wishes.

7. La Maison Rose

One of the prettiest sights within the charming Montmarte neighborhood, La Maison Rose is definitely one of the top Instagram spots in Paris. Because can you ever go wrong with a pink storefront? Methinks not.

Seriously though, I’m in love with the perfect pink with the green shutters, and I’m definitely not the only one. Also look out for the ivy wall during the spring and summer (it had already died off when I visited in December).

And, the street leading up to it is super cute as well! It is made for Instagram and it is definitely one of the best photo spots in Paris.

Address: 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, 75018 Paris, France

8. Musée d’Orsay

Paris has no shortage of amazing art museums, and the Museé d’Orsay is another must-visit (the Monet collection is fantastic). It is also one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

The museum is housed in a former train station, which is a beautiful building itself. However, the best photo spot here is the giant clock tower with a perfect view of the city and the Louvre.

It took me a little while to figure out where the clock tower is. If you’re completely lost and confused like I was, it is on the 5th floor. There will be a line of people there also trying to get the same shot (it is one of the best places to take pictures in Paris, after all), but the line is orderly.

Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday-Sunday 9:30am-6pm, Thursday 9:30am-9:45pm. closed Monday
Admission: €14, buy skip-the-line tickets here.

9. Pont Alexandre III

Perhaps the most iconic bridge in Paris, and one of the most of the beautiful in the world, the Pont Alexandre III definitely is one of the best places to take pictures in Paris. The bridge was inaugurated at the 1900 World’s Fair and has four 17-metre high columns with bronze sculptures of winged horses to symbolize the arts, sciences, commerce, and industry.

You can snap a photo of it from the bottom to capture all the ornate details or the bridge, or while crossing the bridge for a perfect view of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. Be sure to look out for the magnificent details on the posts as well – totally makes it one of the most popular and Instagrammable spots in Paris.

Address: Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris, France

 
A post shared by LADUREE PARIS OFFICIEL (@maisonladuree) on Oct 10, 2016 at 8:13am PDT

10. Ladureé

Things you must do in Paris #1: eat as many Parisian pastries as you can – especially macarons!

Macarons may just be the most photogenic confection ever, and Laudreé’s are probably the best I’ve had in my life. Ladureé has several outposts throughout the city, but the main store on Champs-Élysées is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

Address (Champs-Élysées location): 75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
Hours: 8am-7:30pm, daily

11. Sacré-Cœur

Perched on top of a hill in Montmartre is Sacré-Cœur, which is characterized by its white color and spectacular domes. Built in the Roman-Byzantine style, the church also offers spectacular views of the city below. It is also home to the largest mosaic in France. You can walk up the hill to access it, but if you want to skip all that huffing and puffing, you can also take the funicular.

This is also the highest point in all of Paris, so be sure to snap some photos of the view as well!

It is definitely one of the most popular Paris Instagram spots and tourist attractions in the city, so expect a crowd unless you come early in the morning. However, if you end up coming midday, there are some hacks to help you take an Instagram-worthy shot without all the people!

I’ve found that snapping a photo of the Sacré-Cœur from the rear gives it a cool angle. Another great spot is from before you go up the last flight of stairs – the stairs also add some extra visual interest to your shot.

Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France
Hours: 6am-10:30pm, daily (may be closed for services and other special events)
Admission: free

12. Sinking house of Montmartre

Located right by the Sacré-Cœur is the “sinking”house of Montmartre, which is a favorite as one of the best Instagram spots in Paris. Don’t worry – la maison isn’t actually sinking, but is rather an optical illusion that is created because the house peeks out from the side of a hill.

Now where is this sinking house of Montmarte? As you take the steps up to Sacré-Cœur, when you reach the final set of stairs, you will notice a grassy bank on the right side. Behind this, you’ll notice the orange building. This is the “sinking” house.

Tilt your camera to be level with the hillside and the house will look like it’s sinking! Such a cool shot for your Instagram feed.

13. Arc de Triomphe

The iconic monument is one of the most popular tourist spots in Paris, and seeing the traffic make a roundabout around it is quite an impressive sight. On top of that, the Arc de Triomphe is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

You can capture the details carved throughout the monument by being right up against it; or, if you want to get a wider shot of the entire thing, the best place to photograph it is from Champs-Élysées.

The traffic around the roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe is INSANE. Seriously, just watch it and you’ll be amazed. If you want a straight-on photo from the street, well, good luck contending with that traffic – I definitely don’t recommend it, unless you come very, VERY early in the morning, where there are few cars out.

But perhaps the best thing about the Arc de Triomphe is the view from the top. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, with a perfectly situated Eiffel Tower.

On the other side, you can look out to a perfect view of Champs-Élysées, with its row of French rooftops. Definitely picture perfect!

Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
Hours: 10am-10pm, daily
Admission: €12, book tickets here.

14. Versailles

Ok, so Versailles is technically outside Paris city limits, but it is so spectacular that I just couldn’t leave it off a list of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

This is one of the most popular day trips from Paris, and I highly recommend it! You really have to see it in person to really appreciate the opulence and extravagance of the place. The bling of all the gold is something like I’ve never seen before. You will definitely be snapping away at everything you see here.

My favorite photo op here was in the courtyard. You can really see the bling of the gold on the facade – it really pops in person. You’ll probably see that every one else is also going to try to get a photo here – I found that shooting at a side angle will eliminate all the people in the background and make it seem like you have the place to yourself!

Definitely do not miss the stunning Hall of Mirrors – I’ve never seen anything like it. It is, however, very difficult to get a photo here without anyone else in it unless you rush here first thing after you enter the palace. But even if you don’t get an Instagram-worthy photo, it’s definitely worth checking out to ooooh and aaaah over.

My #1 piece of advice – go as early as you can to avoid the crowds! Even during slow season (I went in February), it can still get pretty crowded midday. I highly, HIGHLY recommending booking tickets in advance – or buying a Paris Museum Pass (which grants you free entry) – so that you can skip the ticket queue and go straight into the line to get into the palace! This is especially important during the peak summer months!

I wish I was there during a warmer time of the year so that I could’ve appreciated the gardens more – they are beautiful, but everything was dead and brown in February. I imagine it would be absolutely stunning during the warmer months.

Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5:30pm, closed Mondays
Admission: €18, buy tickets here

15. Sainte Chapelle

I had no idea what Sainte Chapelle was before I got to Paris – in fact, the only reason I went was because it seemed like it would be a good place to pick up the Paris museum pass without waiting in a long line.

Boy, I am glad I discovered this place, because it is absolutely breath-taking. Those stained glass windows are absolutely stunning. Definitely makes it one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris!

Address: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
Hours: 11am-7pm, daily
Admission: €10, buy tickets here

16. Le Consulat

There’s just something about the classic Parisian bistro that makes them utterly photogenic, isn’t there? Le Consulat is another one of the best Instagram spots in Paris that is also located in Montmartre, near the Sacré-Cœur.

There’s just something about that red and green awning, and that typography that makes it one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris. (FYI, I’ve never eaten there, but a quick search on Yelp says that their food is also tasty, and that the French onion soup is excellent – which makes it a must visit on my next trip to Paris).

Address: 18 Rue Norvins, 75018 Paris, France

17. Jardin des Tuileries

There is no shortage of pretty gardens in Paris. So what makes the Jardin des Tuileries one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris? First, those trees are lined up so perfectly to frame the Louvre. I mean, look at it!

The best time to photograph this is is in the fall, when the colors of the leaves start changing. Absolutely spectacular. I visited in the beginning of December, and unfortunately the leaves were beginning to die off, but you could still see some orange in them!

The other reason? You get a perfect shot of the giant ferris wheel on Champs-Élysées. (Psssst…during the holiday season, they also have a Christmas market here! Be sure to pick up a cup of wine chaud, aka mulled wine, as you snap photos at one of the most Instagraamable places in Paris).

Address: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France
Hours: 7am-9pm, daily

18. The Seine

With its many ornate bridges and iconic Parisian architecture on either side, you can’t deny that the walking along the Seine (or cruising in it) affords you with an abundance of incredible views.

Seriously though, one of my favorite things that I did in Paris was just endlessly roaming along the banks of the river and taking in those views. Just spend a few hours to walk down the banks and you will see what I mean – endless photo ops await.

I also highly recommend taking a Seine River cruise so you can relax as you take in those pretty views!

19. Printemps

Head up to the rooftop cafe of the Printemps Haussman department store for one of the best views in town! Enjoy a perfect panoramic view of Montmartre, the Parisian rooftops, the city, and perhaps what makes the view, the Eiffel Tower, as you sip on a café au lait and enjoy a croissant. Definitely makes this one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris.

Address: 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
Hours: Mon to Sat: 9:35 am to 8:00 pm; Thur: Open until 8:45pm; Sundays 11am-7pm

20. Galerie Vivienne

Did you know that Paris is home to some 40 hidden passageways from the 18th and 19th centuries? At one point, there were more than 150 of these passageways; modernization has destroyed many of these, but a handful remain. One of the most beautiful is the Galerie Vivienne, which is also one of the oldest.

Galerie Vivienne has gorgeous tiled floors and a glass ceiling that allows ample natural light to stream through. The passageway is dotted with quaint bookstores and cafés. Definitely one of the most Instagram-worthy places in Paris.

Address: 5 Rue de la Banque, 75002 Paris, France
Hours: 8:30am-8:30pm, daily

Best Photo Gear for Shooting at the Most Instagrammable Places in Paris

Wondering what gear you should have when photographing the most Instagrammable places in Paris? Read on for my favorite gear that will help you up your photography an Instagram game!

Best travel cameras for shooting at the best Paris Instagram spots: I shot most of these photos at the most Instagrammable places in Paris on Nikon D7000 (which has now been updated to the Nikon D7500). The kit includes the 18mm-60mm f2.8-4 lens, which is a good starting point – however you can also opt to get the camera body only and get a different that suits your needs better. I’ve shot on Nikon cameras for almost 15 years now – the colors are super vibrant and their cameras always feel right in my hands. What brand you go with is definitely a personal choice! The D7500 is a good mid-range model – almost as easy to figure out as a starter camera, but with more controls and better performance in low light, and better focusing, etc.

However, I recently switched to the Sony a6000 and LOVEEEE it!! If you want the want the image quality of a dSLR but balk at the extra weight,  I’d suggest looking into a mirrorless camera – this is what made me switch! Sony definitely makes the best mirrorless cameras, and you can’t go wrong with any of their models.

Best travel lenses for shooting at the most Instagrammable places in Paris: The vast majority of my photos are shot with the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 (for NikonCanonSony). If I could, I absolutely would get the Nikon version of this lens, which many professional photographers use, and is known as one of the best all-around lenses (there are Canon and Sony versions of this as well) – however, I just don’t have the budget. The Tamron version is very similar, but is sold at at a fraction of the price. The 28-75mm range covers much of what I need while I’m traveling so I only need one lens. The f2.8 means that it works great in low light and gets amazing bokeh (or that blurred background).

For the best phone photos of the most Instagrammable places in Paris: I actually end up taking a lot of photos with my phone – I currently have the iPhone XR. It definitely shoots excellent images so you’d never know that they were shot on a phone! The newer iPhone 12 has an even better camera, so definitely look into it if you’re due for an upgrade and want to shoot better phone photos! My boyfriend also has the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, which might be even better because it has a manual mode.

Other must-have gear for capturing the most Instagrammable places in Paris: I love this lightweight tripod, which is cheap, easy to set up, and not super annoying to carry around. I also use this selfie stick tripod to help me take self-portraits on my phone!

What are some of your picks for the most Instagrammable places in Paris? Let me know in the comments below!

You Might Also Like:
Paris in 2 Days
Paris Bucket List
Best Paris Desserts
The Paris Pass: Everything You Need to Know
50 Best Books About Paris
Amazing Gifts for Paris Lovers
Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth It? A Complete Review
100+ Paris Instagram Captions

Like this post? Save these Paris Instagram spots on Pinterest for later!

riya

Tuesday 27th of November 2018

nice post

Mia Lupo

Sunday 20th of May 2018

This is such a great list of Instagrammable destinations in Paris! I would also recommend adding Île Saint Louis, the island behind Notre Dame :)

Christie

Sunday 20th of May 2018

Paris is by far one of the most photogenic places in the world! So many beautiful spots <3 I can't wait to visit Paris again and see some more of these!

Annemarie Strehl

Sunday 20th of May 2018

I didn't even know about Rue Crémieux. Thanks for these cool tips!

Shannon Guerrero

Sunday 20th of May 2018

Well now I'm just dying to hop on a plane to Paris! Seriously amazing spots around the city!

Comments are closed.