TIPS FROM A PARIS PHOTOGRAPHER — PHOTO WALK FROM PONT DES ARTS TO LUXEMBOURG GARDENS
4 November, 2025
As a photographer in Paris since 2013, I’ve photographed more than a thousand couples, families, and solo travelers all over this beautiful city. Over the years, I’ve realized that while the famous landmarks like Trocadéro with its Eiffel Tower view are iconic, they show only one face of Paris. My favorite routes — the ones I keep coming back to again and again — are the ones that capture the real Paris: elegant, intimate, full of life and poetry.
One of those walking photo routes starts (or ends!) at Pont des Arts and winds through the charming streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, finishing at the Luxembourg Gardens. It’s a route that works for almost any type of photoshoot — couples, families, solo portraits, proposals, engagements, even maternity sessions.
PARIS PHOTO ROUTE OVERVIEW
The route can begin near/at the Louvre, though most often we start right at Pont des Arts, a pedestrian bridge lined with artists, musicians, and beautiful light reflections on the Seine. From here, you can even catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the distance — so if you’re worried you’ll miss her by choosing a more authentic route, don’t worry, she’s still there, watching over us from afar. This location works beautifully at any time of day, though for the softest light I recommend early morning sessions. That's when the light direction is towards to Eiffel tower, so she'll be very visible in the skyline as opposed to aftenoon/evening when this view will be backlit making the tower appear all hazy and unsharp in the photos.
From the bridge, we’ll wander into the historic streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés — one of my personal favorite neighborhoods in Paris. It’s full of cozy cafés, hidden courtyards, and small art galleries that give every corner its own story. One of the most picturesque stops is Place de Furstenberg, a tiny square that looks like a movie set, always quiet even on a busy day when just a street over the area of Odeon or around cafe Le Deux Magots are crowded with people. I love this part of the route for candid moments — walking hand in hand, laughing between shots, or simply stopping for a quick espresso together. It’s these small, real moments that make the photos timeless. How cute is that antique store called Curiosités!
A few steps further, we reach Place Saint-Sulpice — grand, calm, and quintessentially Parisian plaza with a huge fountain, a favorite among parisian influencers creating romantic content. Saint Sulpice church in front of it is the biggest church in the city and to me visually more stunning that Notre Dame. Just around the corner, there’s a wall mural with a poem "Le Bateau ivre" (The Drunken Boat) by Rimbaud written across it. I love this space for creating artistic portraits. And here's a little fun fact - to mimic the sound of the poem first read by Rimbaud at a cafe at Place Saint Sulpice traveling from Saint Sulpice towards the Luxembourg garden, the poem stanzas are written from right to left, so start reading it from the side closest to the church ;)
We finish our walk at the Luxembourg Gardens, one of my all-time favorite photo spots in Paris. The manicured paths, soft greenery, and warm stone of the palace and beautiful Medici fountain create the perfect backdrop for both elegant and natural photos. Sometimes we skip the Luxembourg garden, especially if it's during the day and we have large dress on - the security guards do thrown upon photoshoots here, so if you want this spot, plan on being discrete.
This route can also be done in reverse order, starting at Luxembourg Gardens — a great option for early mornings if you want to avoid crowds and catch that magical soft light.
WHY I LOVE THIS PHOTO WALK ROUTE
What makes this route so special is its versatility — it fits everyone. Whether you’re a solo traveler doing a creative editorial session, a couple celebrating your love, or a family enjoying Paris together, there’s a rhythm and intimacy here that works beautifully.
Here's an example of the same location but in an editorial shoot for a magazine publication. It just looks quintessentially Parisian!
It’s ideal for 1-hour to 2-hour sessions. With couples and families, we usually move at a more relaxed pace, while solo shoots can go faster — unless, of course, it’s a content session with outfit changes!
And yes — I’ve even used parts of this route for pregnancy photoshoots (best early morning near the Luxembourg Gardens).
If you’d like to explore this part of Paris together, I’d love to guide you through it and capture your story in a way that feels natural, personal, and true to you. Because Paris is not just about the Eiffel Tower — it’s about everything you feel while walking these beautiful streets.
