Instagrammable Paris

Paris! The city of love (very accurate considering I got engaged there 😉 ) It truly is the most aesthetically pleasing, romantic, and magical city in the world. Now if you didn’t know, it is also known as the city of lights because it was one of the first European cities to use gas street lamps in the 1860’s during the Age of Enlightenment. Everything in Paris, whether it’s the food, history, culture, language, etc is done with exquisite taste. 

Getting Around Paris: The city is quite large so it’s impossible to get all these shots in one day. I’d split each up based on which arrondissement you’ll be spending the day in. In the winter time, it is a lot more empty so sunrise is at 8:40am and there won’t be huge crowds. However, in the summertime, keep in mind that you’ll have to get to the popular locations around 6am to have the whole place to yourself. Every inch of the city is photogenic, so if you turn one corner and see something you find interesting, be spontaneous and do a photoshoot there! This was only my 2nd time in Paris and there’s still so much more to see each and every trip here. 

Below is my list of the obvious hot spots in Paris. If you found this useful or if I missed any hidden gems, please leave a comment below to let me know! For daily updates/ travel inspos, check out my IG @sophcation

Eiffel Tower Shot

Square Rapp (3 Square Rapp, 75007 Paris, France)

• 7th Arrondissement, Rapp- La Bourdonnnais Metro Station (3 min walk) 
• Google “square rapp”on maps, located between 33 and 35 Avenue Rapp. You will see a black iron gate in the front of a secluded impasse with a fountain in the middle
• escape from the hustle and bustle of the typical eiffel tower shots

Rue de L’université (dead end between Rue de l’Universite and Avenue de la Bourdonnais )

• 7th Arrondissement, Invalides Metro Stop (1 minute walk)
• Quaint street with beautiful architecture, dead end to the base of the Eiffel Tower
• Will have cars parked on the street 

Avenue de Camoëns (dead end)

• 16th arrondissement, Passy Metro Station (4 minute walk)
• Lovely view of the Eiffel Tower, short street; there is a stairwell that takes you down to a different street

Seine River 

• 16th Arrondissement, Trocadero Metro Station
• Unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower 
• Take it from across the bridge/Eiffel Tower 
• Walk along the river to capture any kind of shot

Trocadéro View Point (Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre)

• 16th Arrondissement, Trocadero Metro Station 
• The not-so-secret blogger spot
• Stairs with the Eiffel Tower in the backdrop
• Carousel is located towards the base of the Eiffel Tower
• Most likely to get crowded first so go during sunrise

Bir Hakeim Bridge  (Stations de métro Passy et Bir-Hakeim, Paris, France)

• 16th Arrondissement, Bir Hakeim Metro Station (1 minute walk)
• The bridge frames the Eiffel Tower 
• A scene from Inception was filmed here

Arc De Triomphe Shot (Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France)

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• 8th Arrondissement, Kléber Metro Station (7 minute walk)
• Shoot from the center/middle of the road, please be careful here (crowded)
• Shoot from an angle off to the side

Louvre Museum Shot (Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France)

• 1st Arrondissement, Louvre Rivoli Metro Station (2 minute)
• Most famous gallery, where Miss Mona Lisa lives 
• Exterior is photogenic, shoot from any angle
• Tickets must be purchased in advance: €17 (I recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time to avoid waiting in line)
• First Saturday of each month, admission is free from 6-9:45pm

Palais Royal/ Les Deux Plateaux Shot (2 Rue de Montpensier, 75001)

• 1st Arrondissement, Pyramides Metro Station (1 minute walk)
• A blogger’s favorite.. You see the black and white striped columns all over IG/ Pinterest
• Short walk from the Louvre
• Free entrance 

Montmartre Shots (all located in 18th Arrondissement)

I Love You Wall / Le Mur des Je t’aime Square (Jehan Rictus, Place des Abbesses, 75018 Paris)

• Abbesses Metro Station (1 minute walk)
• Art installation: features the words I love you in over 250 languages 
• Project seeks to unify people from around the world

Sacré Coeur Basilica (1 Parvis du Sacré-Cœur, 75018 Paris)

• Anvers Metro Station (13 minute walk)
• Sits at the top of the hill
• Panoramic view of the city
• Shoot from the stairs or off to the side at the bottom of the stairwell

Sinking House

• Anvers Metro Station (10 minute walk)
• Building is an illusion where you angle your camera and use the hill to make it look that way
• near the top of the steps to the Sacré Coeur Basilica (on the right side)
• simply turn your camera at a 45 degree angle to capture the orange house

Moulin Rouge (82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris)

• Blanche Metro Station (1 minute walk)
• Cabaret Bar, original windmill burned down in 1915
• Birthplace of the Can Can dance 

Notre Dame  (6 Parvis Notre-Dame | Place Jean-Paul II, 75004)

• 4th Arrondissement, Cité Metro Station (9 minute walk)
• Popular landmark/ medieval catholic cathedral
• Shoot from the center square
• Due to the fire that damaged parts of the Cathedral, it will remain closed to tourists 

Pont Alexandre III (Pont Alexandre III | Quai d’Orsay, 75008)

• Between 8th & 7th Arrondissement, Invalides Metro Station (4 minute walk)
• Impressive sculptures on the bridge with gold elements

Disclaimer: Please be respectful. Be polite. Be educated. Be safe. Act with manners. Every city is special, ancient, historical, etc. So please do NOT climb on a monument, dress appropriately, don’t hog a spot if you see a bunch of people waiting to have a turn, don’t ride an elephant (harms the animal/not an industry you should support), trespass into private property, etc. You get the point…?

With Love,

Sophie

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