Planning a trip to Paris and want to know all the best photo spots? Keep scrolling for my list of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris!
This list of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris France was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
The city of Paris is so beautiful and magical that you could almost say that the whole city is one big Instagrammable spot.
The Eiffel Tower, the Seine River, the gorgeous architecture, and the charming cafes are more than enough to keep your camera busy.
With so many options, crafting a list of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris is no easy task as the choices are almost literally endless!
In this post, we share some of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris, including a few iconic attractions and some hidden gems as well.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Paris blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Paris with kids.
Popular Paris Tours/Activities
- Scavenger Hunt at the Musee d’Orsay (my kids voted this the BEST thing they did in Paris)
- Paris Food Tour (We ate SO many yummy treats on our Food Tour)
- Tootbus (this is a kid-friendly hop-on-hop-off bus)
- Eiffel Tower (skip the line and go straight to the top)
- Day Trip to Giverny and Versailles (it’s a great city break)
- Flytographer photo shoot (they are easy to book and really affordable)
Kid-Friendly Paris Hotels
- Hotel Aiglon (this is a quiet area near Luxembourg Garden, and it’s perfect for families)
- Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower Hotel (there’s a shuttle to Disneyland or Giverny from here)
- Newport Bay Club Resort (this is our favorite place to stay at Disneyland)
Incredible Instagrammable Spots in Paris
1. Moulin Rouge
One of the most iconic sites in the French capital, Moulin Rouge is not only the most famous cabaret in town but also one of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris.
Located in the Montmartre neighborhood, in the famous red-light district of Pigalle, the Molin Rouge offers a world of possibilities for your photos.
The vivid red color of its facade and the oversized flower pots will liven up your photos, while the huge red mill is undoubtedly a cliche but an almost obligated one for your Paris Insta stories.
After snapping away to your heart’s content, you can enjoy whichever show is playing for a fun-filled evening, so your best bet is to plan accordingly. Check ticket prices here.
2. Palais Garnier Opéra House
Located in the heart of Paris, Palais Opéra Garnier is an architectural masterpiece characterized by its stunning grandeur.
A unique blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Classic styles makes this highlight one of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris, both inside and out. During the day the building is open as a historical monument, while at night it still hosts impressive opera and artistic performances.
Having opened its doors to Parisian high society in the 19th century as the world’s largest and most important opera house, Garnier is still an icon of opulence. Opéra Garnier’s façade is about as photogenic as it can be, especially when it comes to photos with classic elegance and outright lavishness.
The interior is inspired by the Versailles Palace, with opulent chandeliers, exquisitely painted ceilings, gilded moldings, and a stunning central staircase. Whatever setting you choose for your photo shots, try to be there as soon as the doors open to avoid crowds, especially if you want a stunning pic going up or down the grand staircase.
On a cultural side note, Palais Garnier was the setting for Phantom of the Opera, so you might want to take inspiration and ideas from it for your content. You can even take a tour inside.
3. Jardin de Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden)
Jardin de Luxembourg is a gorgeous park full of amazing spots for incredibly photogenic Instagram content.
Designed during the 17th century, it has plenty of tree-lined promenades, fountains, statues, flowerbeds other great spots where you can get perfect shots while strolling by the flowering gardens or lounging on a chair.
Even though the beautiful grounds are all Instagrammabe, the Medici Fountain on the east side is easily one of the best photo spots in Paris.
The large water basin in front of the Palais de Luxembourg is another top spot that allows for pictures with the imposing palace in the background.
Jardin de Luxembourg is quite popular with locals and tourists alike, so arriving early is a good idea. It’s also one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Paris.
4. Sacré Coeur Basilica
The Sacré Couer Basilica is one of the most popular attractions in the City of Lights, but also one of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris.
Its beautiful white design, iconic domes, and privileged location sitting on a hill overlooking the city have made it a favorite location for tourists, and photographers alike.
Like all famous Parisian attractions, the area gets crowded, especially during peak season. Getting there early to get the perfect shots is important, but still, no guarantee that won’t find crowds in Sacré Couer’s front part.
If that is the case, head to the backside of the basilica for a much emptier pic. Another option is to go to the ramp located by the carousel on the left side of Place Sant Pierre. From there, you’ll get the perfect angle with most of the people out of sight and the carousel peeking in the foreground.
We actually did a Paris family photo shoot here!
Book a Family Photo Shoot
Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.
5. West Gate of Parc Monceau
Even though Monceau is not listed in most Paris itineraries, it is worth checking out, especially when you need to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of Paris.
One of the oldest gardens in the French Capital, it was built in the 1700s to resemble an English park rather than the typical French layout, according to the instructions of King Louis XIV’s cousin.
For the perfect photo, head directly to the gate at the west side of the park, which is located at the end of Hoch Avenue. The majestic wrought iron with golden details is reason enough for some content creation, but the Arch de Triomphe in the background is a huge added bonus.
The buildings surrounding the Parc Monceau might catch your fancy too. The striking limestone facades, cute balconies, and handsome red-brick buildings just might inspire you.
6. Paris Catacombs
Also known as the underground ossuary (or l’Ossuaire Municipal), the Catacombs of Paris are underground tunnels where over 6 million human skeletons are carefully arranged.
This was done after Parisian cemeteries were emptied for health reasons and the bones were transported several floors underground.
It might sound a bit grim or even gruesome, but the Catacombs of Paris offer unique backgrounds for taking unusual and uncanny photos. While touching the remains is not permitted, you are free to take pictures. The lights are dim, so plan accordingly.
7. Arc de Triomphe
The iconic arch is not only one of the most important historic landmarks in the French capital but also a fabulous Instagram spot in Paris, both a subject for content and also a fantastic viewing spot to get the best shots of Champs-Élysées, considered “the world’s most beautiful avenue”.
For street-level pics, there will be less traffic on the roundabout early in the morning, although Champs-Élysées traffic is a constant. But don’t worry, with a little patience, you’ll surely find the right spot and moment.
At dusk, you can take a long-exposure snap of the traffic with the Arc de Triomphe in the background from one of the pedestrian islands on the avenue.
The viewing terrace at the top of the arch has one of the best panoramic views of the city and definitely one of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris because you can snap the Eiffel Tower from there too.
Even though the crowds below can get pretty dense, the queue to go up are not long in the morning. It is open from 10 am to 10:45 pm.
8. Louvre Museum
The iconic glass pyramid outside of the Louvre Museum is certainly worth a few snaps for your feed, be it in the morning, afternoon, or dusk when it lights up.
The contrast of its sharp lines with the historic building offers some very interesting angles and photo-ops.
As for the interiors, they are simply stunning. If you manage to not focus on getting the coveted selfie with the Mona Lisa, an almost impossible feat because of the large crowds, you’ll discover an impressive number of works that will fit your fancy as a backdrop for some great snaps.
9. Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is a Parisian church that is pure Instagram eye candy. High ceilings, a Gothic interior, and stunningly beautiful stained-glass windows depicting over 1100 scenes from the Bible will have you snapping away.
Walk up the small spiral staircase to reach the main chapel in order to get the best photos. And yes, it’s best to arrive early to avoid huge crowds. You can also get a skip-the-line ticket.
10. Palais Royal – Colonnes de Buren
A beautiful neoclassical building that has been at the center of French history for centuries, Palais Royal and its adjacent gardens and sparkling fountains are simply stunning.
Neoclassical columns, perfectly manicured lawns, and a gorgeous fountain always make for great pictures, and this is no exception. Over the centuries, Palais Royal has gone from housing, small shops, gambling dens, bars, and radical political meetings, to the upscale shopping and modern art destination that it is today.
It is also a favorite spot for fashion-oriented content creators, who flock to the Colonnes de Buren to get that special shot.
Ironically, the Colonnes or columns have absolutely nothing to do with historic Paris or neoclassical architecture. They are modern and contemporary additions created in 1985 to conceal the ventilation shafts below.
Some people love them, others hate them, but they have caught the fashion world’s fancy and are considered the most Instagrammable spot in Paris during Paris Fashion Week.
11. Trocadero-Eiffel Tower
Last but certainly not least, is the iron lady.
Nothing speaks Paris louder than the Eiffel Tower, and there are many spots and angles for capturing this world-famous icon on camera. The viewing point at Trocadero is one of the best spots from which to do a shoot. It is located right outside the Trocadéro Metro station.
The nearby Trocadéro Gardens offer fountains and pretty green spaces for further content creation, or for simply relaxing or enjoying a picnic while viewing one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
Paris Photo Spots Wrap Up
Now you know some of the best places to take photos in Paris. Most of these should already be on your Paris itinerary. If you have time, grab tickets and truly explore some of these amazing Paris attractions!
Looking for more Paris travel content? Check out the coolest Paris hidden gems, where to stay in Paris with kids, whether it’s worth visiting Versailles with kids, things to do in Paris with teens, how to take cute Paris family photos, things to do on a Paris family vacation, my kid-friendly Paris itinerary, the best kid-friendly Paris tours, Paris 2 day itinerary, best Paris day trips, and the best things to do in Paris at night!
