FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM
As a Paris wedding and portrait photographer, I’d love to share with you the 14 best locations in Paris for wedding photography!
Dreaming of eloping or having a wedding in Paris? Even without tying the knot, imagine enjoying wandering The City of Lights, then commemorating the experience ff your surprise proposal, honeymoon, or anniversary celebration. No matter what the occasion, every corner of Paris feels as if you’ve stepped into an impressionist’s painting – all created to be celebrated, captured, and shared. No matter the occasion, you’ve found yourself in Paris and are searching for the perfect way to capture these memories.
Paris is an easy and photogenic city to explore on foot. In the following locations list, I’ve included which other nearby spots and how to commute to each location. I’ve provided the best tips to take you around the city in style. Whether by the subway Metro, or ordering a taxi or Uber. You might also consider renting a classic car from a company such as Old Timers Paris. Not only will your transportation problem be solved, but you’ll have quite a befitting prop to pose with at any of the following Parisian locations easily accessible by road.
Searching for an experienced photographer to capture your Paris wedding or couples photos?
Learn more about the experience of working with me or contact me today!
The 14 Best Paris Wedding Photography Locations:
The Louvre
About: The world’s most well known and visited museum contains works such as “The Mona Lisa” and “Venus DeMilo”. With large, impressive outdoor spaces to wander.
Why I love it: The photographic opportunities in this vast and iconic location are ample enough that the Louvre could be your single choice for your photo session, and you would not run out of options. Check out this wedding blog post to see more photo opportunities from around the Louvre.
What’s nearby: Jardin Tuileries & Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Palais-Royal
How to get there: Best access to Cour Carrée, the courtyard square of the Louvre, is the Metro Stop “Louvre” Rivoli. Best access to Pyramide du Louvre and the arched hallways is the Metro Stop “Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre”.
Rain plan: Yes – but only the arched halls of the Louvre are covered.
Petit Palais
About: The Petit Palais is a fine arts museum with a stunning main façade. For your Paris Wedding Photos, you can pose underneath a central archway set in an archivolt, topped by a dome and reached by a broad set of steps.
Why I love it: There’s something about the bright gold of the gate that makes such a bold statement in any photo. This gives such a striking effect that cannot be replicated in any other location in Paris. Check out this elopement inspiration blog post for some examples of the Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III.
What’s nearby: Pont Alexandre III, Walkway Along the River Seine
How to get there: Metro stop “Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau” or via Taxi/ Uber.
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Anytime! Sunset or Sunrise will produce a soft look at either end of the day when the main gate is shaded from full sun.
Pont Alexandre III
About: Crossing the bridge by foot takes you on a stroll through an array of masterful sculptures such as lions, cherubs, and gorgeous Art Nouveau lamps.
Why I love it: This is the most ideal spot for wedding photos. Though a relatively small area, there are a diverse amount of options for creating different portraits. Taking your photos here allows you to experience the most fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine, especially at sunset. Check out this wedding inspiration blog post for more of the Pont Alexandre.
What’s nearby: Petit Palais, Walkway Along the River Seine
How to get there: Metro stop “Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau” or via Taxi/ Uber.
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Sunset. Facing the westward side of the bridge, enjoy watching the sun setting behind the Eiffel Tower
Jardin de Tuileries & the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
About: An expansive and delightful public garden where both locals and tourists meet, play and relax. Filled with fountains, ponds and sculptures.
Why I love it: This is another great location where you could spend your entire photo session. Start at the Arc, work your way through the Jardin du Carrousel and wander through the vast Jardin Tuileries, ending with a picnic.
What’s nearby: The Louvre Museum, Palais Royal
How to get there: Best access to the Jardin via Metro Stop Tuileries
Best access to the Arc: Metro Stop “Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre”
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Any time
Palais Royal
About: Former Royal Palace with vast courtyard and gardens, open to the public. Located just to the north of the Louvre, this location offers a bit of tranquillity in the heart of the city.
Why I love it: In the inner courtyard of the Palais-Royal, you will come across an art installation known as the Buren Columns. With its black-and-white-striped columns of varying heights, there is a playful whimsy unseen in other locations.
What’s nearby: The Louvre, Place Vendôme
How to get there: Metro Stop – “Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre”
Rain plan: Yes – four arcaded (covered) walkway galleries border the length of the garden.
Best time of day: Sunrise is best! Later in the day will be too crowded.
Searching for an experienced photographer to capture your Paris wedding photos?
Learn more about the experience of working with me or contact me today!
Palais Garnier
About: The Palais Garnier is also known as the Opéra Garnier and contains an extraordinarily opulent interior. It is considered the most famous opera house in the world. Opéra Garnier is an iconic symbol of Paris. Made more popularly known as the setting for the novel, Phantom of the Opera.
Why I love it: The impressive palatial detailing is not to be missed. Buy a self-guided tour ticket for 14€, be discreet, and prepare to walk around in awe. For a full tour inside the Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris, check out this blog post!
What’s nearby: Place Vendôme
How to get there: Metro stop “Opéra” or Taxi / Uber
Rain plan: Yes – it IS a rain plan!
Best time of day: Earlier doesn’t always mean fewer crowds. I recommend arriving in line about 20 minutes before opening. This will ensure the least amount of people in the more open areas such as Salon Du Glacier.
Avenue de Camoens
About: The Avenue de Camoens is an uncrowded street with views of the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. It is absent of the thousands of tourists to do battle with. At the end of this street, you’ll find the beginning of a staircase leading to Monument à Luís de Camões.
Why I love it: It’s off the beaten path, and it’s a quieter less bustling location. Though you may have to tangle with a few Instagrammers, it is not swarming with crowds of wide-eyed tourists like many of the other spots with an Eiffel Tower view.
What’s nearby: Trocadéro Square & the Eiffel Tower
How to get there: Take a 15-minute walk from Trocadéro Square or the Trocadéro Metro Stop.
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Any time, but sunrise and sunset ensure soft, even light.
Trocadéro Square
About: Across the river from the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro is one of Paris’ most visited locations. This is the most popular spot in Paris to have your wedding photographs taken, so we have to bring a little patience with us here. But it’s truly worth it for your most iconic photographs in Paris.
Why I love it: It’s the “Money Shot” of couples photography. For a truly epic shot, I suggest bringing birdseed for the pigeons. Once you’ve gathered enough feathered friends, do a twirl or spin for a stunning shot of birds flying in the sky with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop!
What’s nearby: Avenue de Camoens, Walkway Along the River Seine
How to get there: “Trocadéro” Metro Stop
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Sunrise for the best light, and smaller crowds
River Seine
About: Step down a handful of stairs from most bridges, and get to the embankment promenade that runs alongside the Seine River in Paris. Perfect for strolling, sunrises, sunsets, and a romantic picnic.
Why I love it: These walkways can be accessed from numerous locations throughout the length of the river. As long as you’re near the Seine – as many locations in Paris are – you have the option to stroll along the river!
What’s nearby: Most of Paris – depending on your point of entry is!
How to get there: Numerous Metro Stops and bridges between the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame are the best options for scenery.
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Any time!
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
About: Connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissement, Pont de Bir-Hakeim lies west of the Eiffel Tower, granting an eastward-facing view of the tower – opposite the view one may have from Pont Alexandre III.
Why I love it: The bridge has two levels: one for motor vehicles and pedestrians, the other being a viaduct built above the first one. As such, the central arch of the viaduct is unique to this particular bridge and offers dramatic architectural compositions.
What’s nearby: Walkway Along the River Seine, Trocadéro Square
How to get there: Metro stop “Passy” or “Bir-Hakeim”.
Rain plan: Yes! There is some cover under the viaduct with open spaces.
Best time of day: Sunrise – not necessarily due to large crowds in this lesser-known location, but for the epic sunrise from behind the Eiffel Tower in the east.
Pont des Arts
About: A pedestrian bridge which crosses the River Seine with a view of the domed Institut de France to the south.
Why I love it: If Pont Alexandre III is just slightly too far after a long day on foot, this bridge still grants epic views of the Seine, access to the walkway along the river, and is centrally located adjacent to the Louvre.
What’s nearby: Walkway Along the River Seine, The Louvre
How to get there: Metro stop “Pont Neuf” or simply walk here after your time at the Louvre!
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Any time
Jardin du Luxembourg
About: The Luxembourg Garden is a central and popular park in Paris for both locals and tourists. This famous urban oasis features terraces and expansive gardens with a backdrop of the Palais du Luxembourg.
Why I love it: The gardens here were directly inspired by the design of the Boboli Gardens in Florence in the Italian Baroque style. With three grottos, shaded walkways, and symmetrical flower beds, the gardens are always picture perfect.
What’s nearby: The gardens are situated just south of Pont des Arts
How to get there: Take an uber or taxi directly to the garden, or use RER stop “Luxembourg” for the most direct access.
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Any time
Place Vendôme
About: The Place Vendôme is a large neoclassical square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France. The most exclusive high-end retail shops (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc) and the best hotels, including the Ritz Paris, are located in this area. If you happen to be planning your elopement, wedding, or staying at the Ritz – this neighborhood is the perfect place to start capturing some portraits.
Why I love it: Window shopping is to die for! Grab the best and most colorful macaroons at the decadent Ladurée, or tea, pastries, or brunch at the famous Angelina’s.
What’s nearby: Jardin de Tuileries, Palais Garnier
How to get there: Metro stop “Opéra” or by Taxi and Uber to the central square.
Rain plan: No
Best time of day: Any time
Other Paris Location Ideas
If that wasn’t enough, there are still endless options for capturing unique couple’s portraits in Paris. Grab a seat outside of any quaint cafe, order espressos or wine and enjoy some refreshment between locations. Stroll through the Ile St. Louis – a quaint village in the heart of Paris, aesthetically remaining frozen in the 17th century. Or cozy up in a hotel room with a great balcony. Splurge on a terrace suite with a view of the Eiffel Tower at the Hôtel San Régis, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, or the Shangri-La Paris.
If you have a full day to explore outside of Paris, it may be worth waking up early to capture your couple’s portraits, engagement, anniversary or pre-wedding photo session at the Palace of Versailles. No permit is required, and your options are truly endless at this vast estate!
Searching for an experienced photographer to capture your Paris wedding, engagement, honeymoon or anniverary?
Learn more about the experience of working with me or contact me today!
Understandably, there are many challenges to planning your trip. You’ll already be chosing your activities, packing your bags and planning travel logistics, it can seem like an extra hurdle to find, evaluate, and hire the right Paris photographer, especially from faraway. That’s why I created this guide! Above all, with the hope that my expertise saves you hours of time trying to figure out which locations in Paris are best for your wedding photos.
As much as I love actually taking photographs, I’m just as passionate about designing an unforgettable bespoke experience for my couples during their time in Paris. Paris may have been photographed countless times, but your love story is truly unique! You need a knowledgeable and wildly creative photographer who will create images that are uniquely yours, with a timeless style that looks as though it’s been borrowed from the pages of a Vogue editorial!
I work with couples in a holistic and attentive approach – so that the memories you take back home with you will recall the feeling of your journey to Paris, and not a series of awkward prompts your photographer told you to do. If you’re looking for stunning, contemporary wedding or couples photography and images inspired by your feelings for one another, I’d love to make your Parisian dreams come true!
