Welcome to my Paris adventure! In this article, I’ll take you through my journey in this enchanting city, sharing the photo spots I discovered, the must-see places I explored for the first time, and how I planned my week of solo photography. I hope my experiences and tips inspire you and help you make the most of your own Parisian adventure. Let’s dive in!
Before diving into the travel details, let’s talk about accommodation. If you’re on a budget, I recommend avoiding stays in the city center. The key is to research Paris’s transportation network and choose a place close to public transportation, particularly the metro. During my trip, I stayed just a 3-minute walk from Gare de Lyon, which made getting around the city incredibly easy. Paris has an efficient metro system, so you won’t have any trouble exploring the city. To provide a more organized and understandable guide, I’ve divided the places where I photographed in Paris into different regions.To provide a more organized and understandable guide, I’ve divided the places where I photographed in Paris into different regions.
1th Arrondissement (Louvre)
The best time to photograph the Louvre Pyramid is definitely on a Tuesday. Given how crowded it can get, capturing a stunning fine art photo can be challenging. To get the most out of this iconic location, I recommend waking up early on Tuesday and heading to the Louvre before sunrise to set up your composition. I woke up around 5:30 AM and arrived early. Since the light was low, I brought my tripod along to capture the shot you see on the right. This timing gives you the chance to experiment with different angles and compositions in a much quieter setting.
After visiting the Louvre, head to the Domaine National du Palais-Royal. This area is a fantastic spot for photography, offering striking compositions with its black-and-white contrasts and leading lines. It starts to get crowded after 9 AM, so plan your visit accordingly to capture the best shots before the crowds arrive.
Finally, we head to the Tuileries Garden. This park is ideal for combining nature and architecture in your photos. After relaxing here, you might consider strolling towards the Opera district and visiting the Palais Garnier—it’s a must-see. This concludes our exploration of Paris District 1. Since it’s such a special area, I recommend taking your time to wander through every street; you might uncover unique sights beyond the ones I’ve mentioned.Finally, we head to the Tuileries Garden. This park is ideal for combining nature and architecture in your photos. After relaxing here, you might consider strolling towards the Opera district and visiting the Palais Garnier—it’s a must-see. This concludes our exploration of Paris District 1. Since it’s such a special area, I recommend taking your time to wander through every street; you might uncover unique sights beyond the ones I’ve mentioned.
7th Arrondissement (Palais-Bourbon)
Our next stop is Paris’s iconic 7th district—a location that deserves at least a full day to explore, especially for photographers. However, before we dive into this area, we’ll start our day at the Place du Trocadéro. Known for offering one of the most stunning views of the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro is the perfect spot for capturing that picture-perfect moment. To get the best shot, I recommend arriving with your tripod well before sunrise. As the sun comes up, the crowds start to build, so plan accordingly to avoid the rush. In my opinion, this is hands down the best location for a sunrise photo.
But don’t worry if you miss the sunrise! I’ve got a few alternative spots for you to explore. One such hidden gem is Avenue de Camoens. This location offers a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower framed between the buildings. For this spot, I suggest using a tripod and a 24 mm lens. It’s not so wide that it loses focus on the scene, but wide enough to capture the dynamic environment. Since the street is often in shadow, the dynamic range of your shot can be quite extensive. Here’s a tip: shoot in HDR using three exposures—one for the highlights, one for midtones, and one for shadows. Later, you can blend the images in Photoshop or Lightroom to reveal all the beautiful details, especially during sunrise or sunset.
Another excellent location is the Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge. From either beneath the bridge or from its sides, you can capture unique perspectives of the Eiffel Tower that most tourists overlook. It’s a quieter location, perfect for those seeking a more intimate shot of this Parisian landmark.
After capturing our sunrise shots, we’re now heading to the 7th district, crossing the iconic Pont de Bir-Hakeim. As we explore the area around the Eiffel Tower, I won’t tell you exactly where to shoot because, honestly, every street here is more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing than the last. It’s all about your artistic vision and how you choose to frame the scene. However, if you ask me what location left the biggest impression and helped me capture stunning photos, one of my favorites is Rue de Monttessuy. From here, you get a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower framed between the buildings, and because it’s a street scene, you can incorporate both people and vehicles into your composition. To see all the photos I’ve taken at the spots I’ve mentioned, check out my France album.
While Rue de l’Université is popular for selfies and portraits, I’ve rarely seen it without a crowd. Personally, I find Rue de Monttessuy much more appealing for photography, but it’s entirely up to you. I recommend visiting both and deciding for yourself.
After thoroughly exploring the Eiffel Tower area, we’ll head over to Les Invalides and the nearby War Museum. What impressed me most here was Napoleon’s tomb, where you can truly appreciate the grandeur of the architecture and the weight of history. During my visit, I stumbled upon a hidden gem: the Intendant Garden, located just behind the War Museum. It’s a perfect spot for photography. Below, you’ll see an example of a shot I took using the leading lines technique to capture the beauty of this serene location.
I’m sharing my personal route in the image on the right. These are the locations where I captured some of my best photographs. As I mentioned earlier, you don’t have to strictly follow this route, as the entire area is large and aesthetically rich. Feel free to wander and discover your own favorite spots. Additionally, this area is home to some incredible restaurants, though it’s worth noting that dining here can be more expensive compared to other parts of Paris. Be mindful of this as you explore.
In addition, the Orsay Museum, where you can admire numerous famous works and renowned paintings, is located in this area, as well as Rue Saint-Dominique, a lively street where locals shop and dine. Both are worth visiting and add even more cultural and local flavor to your exploration of the 7th district. If you have time, be sure to stop by both!
