Where to Get the Best Views in Paris

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Our guest blogger Laurence Norah of Finding the Universe is here to offer his top tips on where best to take photos in Paris. Find him on Instagram and Twitter to see more of his photography and check out his website to learn more about his travels.


As I talked about in my previous post on Paris, this is one of my favourite cities in Europe, if not the world, to visit. In particular as a photographer, I’m always looking for locations to shoot, and Paris has no shortage of great spots to get some fantastic photos. Here are some of my favourites.

Arc de Triomphe

long exposure view of the Arc de Triomphe from the Champs d'Elysées at night in Paris

The Arc de Triomphe, sitting at the end of Paris’s most famous shopping street, the Champs Elysees, is a magnificent construction that is photogenic in it’s own right. But, did you know that you can actually climb to the top of the Arc, and get great views of Paris, including down the mile long stretch of the Champs Elysees to the Place de Concord, as well as across to the Eiffel Tower?

Well, now you know.

Montmartre

Place du Tertre at sunset with Sacré Coeur in the background

As well as being an excellent place to get your portrait painted, Montmartre is a very good spot for watching the sunset – until recently my favourite location in fact. That was before I discovered the top of Montparnasse Tower – more on that shortly.

In the meantime, for a free and spectacular view of the city at any time of day, but especially at sunrise and sunset, head up to Montmartre, and hang out on the steps and gardens in front of the Sacre Coeur. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts climbing up with a breathtaking vista across the city skyline!

If you want to get even higher, you can head up to the top of the Sacre Coeur for a small fee, although I’d suggest that the extra elevation doesn’t make a great deal of difference.

Top of the Eiffel tower

The Effiel Tower in Paris as seen from the ground up

In my previous post I talked about how essential it is to visit the Eiffel Tower as a priority. Well, if you want a great view of Paris, heading to the top of the tower is going to get you an amazing view.

One tip – book your tickets online in advance so as to avoid the massive queues that form here, pretty much at all times of year. Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower is on pretty much everyone’s list, so you can end up waiting for hours if you’re not clever.

Personally, I think the view from the top of the Eiffel tower is nice, but not spectacular, largely because it’s missing the one landmark that really identifies Paris – the Eiffel Tower itself. So, instead I would suggest you head up the following instead...

Montparnasse Tower

view of the Eiffel Tower at dusk from the Montparnasse Tower in Paris

Situated a couple of miles from the Eiffel Tower, next to Gare Montparnasse, this generally unimpressive skyscraper offers in my view the best view of Paris. From here you can see Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower, La Defence, and the rest of the city stretched out before you.

It’s the best place to watch the sun set across the city and the lights of the Eiffel Tower come on and start to sparkle, and definitely my favourite photography location in all of Paris!

Behind Notre Dame

Rear view of Notre Dame Cathedral at dusk from the quayside of the river Seine in Paris

Whilst you can climb the towers of Notre Dame for good views of the city and the Seine, or stand in front of the twin arches for decent photos, my favourite spot to photograph this gorgeous cathedral is from the south side of the river, a little behind the church.

From here, you get to see those incredible flying buttresses, which are this buildings calling card, as well as include some of the River Seine in your shot.

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And those were some of my favourite Parisian locations for a view and a photograph! Do you have any favourites of your own? Let me know!


Find a homestay in Paris and explore Laurence's favourite photography spots, as well as discovering a few of your own!

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