These are some of the most popular Paris locations that work beautifully for photoshoots, but they are not the only possibilities. Certain places, such as the Louvre or the Tuileries Garden, require specific authorization for professional photography, while others may have restrictions on how the images can be used publicly — for example, photographs of the Eiffel Tower when it is illuminated or sparkling cannot be displayed commercially online. If your preferred location is not listed here, please feel free to ask me. I’ll be happy to help you understand what is possible and plan your photoshoot in accordance with the current photography regulations in Paris.
Pont de Bir Hakeim
This is the location with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower, plus a gorgeous bridge to offer you a variety of photos. This is the best location to choose if you want to do your Paris photoshoot in the afternoon or evening for direct light. In the morning it's backlit, for softer more dreamy look.
Rue Saint-Dominique
This is a popular Instagram location for photos showing both, the Eiffel tower and a typical parisian street. It's a great spot for photos throughout the day, and the nearby cafes Le Recruitment and Au Canon des Invalides are great spots for a cup of coffee or maybe a glass of wine.
Palais Royal
This location is my personal favorite for Paris family sessions. It's the home of Colonnes de Buren that are an absolute hit with the kids to run around. A pretty garden with a fountain are there too, so it's a great spot for photoshoots all day long. This location can only be used for personal photography - no commercial/ad work is allowed here.
Notre Dame and Saint Germain
This is the area close to the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. My favorite spots here are Shakespeare and Co, cafe Odette, Pont de l'Archevêché, cafe Esmeralda, the view of Île Saint-Louis, the oldest cafe in Paris, the view of Île de la Cité and cafe Saint Regis. Possible to shoot all day long.
UPDATE: The park right next to Notre Dame is currently closed for reconstruction after the fire.
Place Vendôme
A home to some of the most luxurious boutiques and hotels in Paris! It's a great location for a quick stop for photos, best combined with the nearby Tuileries gardens and the Louvre or Concorde. Although it's possible to shoot here throughout the day, morning is what I would recommend personally.
Pont des Arts
If you plan to do some photos at the Louvre at sunrise, I would highly recommend to plan a stop at this beautiful bridge. Once vandalised with a millions of locks it's now clean and offers gorgeous views on the Seine river and Île de la Cité.
Parisian cafes
What can be more romantic and iconic to add to your paris photoshoot than a stop at a cafe for either a coffee, hot chocolate, a glass of wine or a sumptuous meal. This stop can be added to any photoshoot if planned in advance, even for 1 hour sessions. Just make sure to let your photographer know you want this, because not all cafes allow photos!
Your hotel room or balcony
This is very straight forward - if you are staying in a beautiful hotel and your room may have a nice view from the window or a balcony, think about adding this into your photoshoot list. Most of the hotels don't mind as long as you are doing the photos in your own room.
Montmartre
A perfect spot for a sunrise love story in Paris, especially in the summer. Can be used as a stand alone location, or as a second location for shoots longer than 1 hour. It gets very crowded during the day, so I wouldn't recommend to pick this spot for morning sessions, especially in the winter.
Palais de Tokyo
Right opposite to the gorgeous Palais Galliera, this location is beloved by parisian clothing brands to photograph their lookbooks. Paris Fashion Week shows take place here too. During the day it's full with skateboard and rollerblade skaters, so watch your step! It is right across the road from Passerelle Debilly bridge with a lovely Eiffel Tower view.
Île Saint-Louis
One of my favorite spots in Paris for a photoshoot any time of the day. The island is located in the city centre, but it's quiet. The views of Cite, Pantheon and Notre Dame can steal anyone's heart. Cafe St Regis is a must to visit when you are walking this pretty neighborhood.
Avenue de Camoëns
This is a lovely alternative to the Bir Hakeim bridge view of the Eiffel tower. It's best for the overcast days when the light is equal in the shade of this cosy street and the Eiffel Tower in the background. It recently became a fenced off street, so you can't park a car here anymore.
Pont Alexandre III and Petit Palais
Another beautiful bridge with the view of the Eiffel tower just a few minutes drive from Bir Hakeim and walking distance from rue Saint-Dominique. Fits best for the elegant attire and on the early mornings it has an extra bonus - the golden doors of Petit Palais are right next by and they are a stunning backdrop for your wedding dress or an evening gown.
Place de la Concorde
This is a square right next to the Tuileries garden, featuring 2 beautiful fountains and a glimpse of the Eiffel tower in the background. It's also a walking distance from Place Vendôme. It's possible to do great photos all through the day, but my personal suggestion is at sunset - the sky here looks just amazing on a sunny summer evening.
Palais Galliera
The home of the Museum of Fashion, this gorgeous location is just a little walk away from Palais de Tokyo and the Seine river. It offers a garden, typical Parisian buildings and a palace with Greek style columns for the photo backdrop. During the week it opens at 8am, during the weekends and days off at 9am! It's perfect for your photoshoot any time of the day. Update - recently the entire area of the building (stairs and columns) has been banned from photoshoots, so these exact images are no longer guaranteed here.
Luxembourg garden
This is a classic parisian spot for photos - need I say more! I highly recommend to plan a shoot here in the morning only, as during the day it becomes very crowded. Besides, just like the Louvre and Palais Royal this garden is a National Domaine and any commercial shoots here are not allowed, so only personal use.
Place Dauphine
Hidden away in the very heart of Paris this charming place is very rarely crowded, so it's a perfect spot to capture some parisian architecture even during the day or evening. Walking distance from the Louvre on one side and Notre Dame de Paris on the other.
The Seine
The Seine literally goest though all of Paris, so there are a lot of possibilities for a great photo all along either of the walkways on its both sides. Depending on the time of the day either left or right side will have the better light, so just ask me if you want to do a walk here!
Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Germain-des-Prés
One of my personal favorites is a 1 hour walking route of this area. It can be used any time during the day. It's full of little cute parisian streets and hidden corners and it's where the famous Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are. For a 2 hour shoot the walk can be combined with Luxembourg garden and Pont des Arts finishing at the Louvre.
Le Marais
Le Marais is where parisians hang out, so you should too! Place des Vosges, Hôtel de Sully and Archives nationales are beautiful locations here. It's perfect for lifestyle sessions and love stories all day long and it's where I love to shoot the most!
Avenue Rapp
One of the most common questions I get asked is what view of the Eiffel tower is less touritic or where we can take photos of it with a street view. Avenue Rapp is a great option! It is best, however, on a cloudy day. On a sunny day the tower might be hit by the sun too bright in relation to the shadow in the street. Please, ask me about the use of this location for your shoot and I will advice on the best time for photos here.
Rodin Museum
My favorite location to shoot indoors especially in winter! Best time to plan your photos here is first thing in the morning - the museum opens at 10am (it's closed on Mondays). This way you will avoid the crowds in this very popular location. The garden is just perfect for wedding portraits in summer too! Update - recently the museum has changed the rules for professional photography only allowing the shoots in the gardens and not inside the museum building.
