Paris Photography & Travel Guide (France 2023)

In this blog I will share with you how to visit Paris with photography in mind. We will cover some locations, lens choice, photography and more. Finally I will only share a few images here to keep things concise, however if you click here, you can visit my full Paris gallery.

Why Paris

Paris has to be one of the most well known and recognisable cities in the world. Not only is France the current most visited country, but Paris is the most visited city. Paris has a lot to offer for every taste, budget and interest. From incredible museums, art galleries, picturesque streets and cosy cafes you can spend the whole day in. Before visiting I had mixed opinions. Some loved it while others hated it. Overall I had a positive experience and in my opinion Paris is a great European city break especially if you like street photography. The city is full of amazing architecture, plenty of details, characters and reflections.

When To Visit

I would say that Paris is a great place to visit any time of year. Of course in peak summer season expect to see the most tourism while off season months like January will be quieter. If you’re ok with colder and wetter weather and don’t mind shorter days, I would say visit in January as it will quiet and cheaper too. If you still want to have nice weather and longer days but not deal with as much tourism, then April, May, September or October should be considered.

How Long & Where To Stay

I would suggest a week minimum. Paris is huge and there is much to do and see that it can become overwhelming. I couldn’t possibly imagine only having a weekend here. 2 weeks is enough to cover the main spots at a relaxed pace. I stayed in the 1st Arr which is central and easy to get everywhere. However if I were to come back, I might stay in the 5th / 6th Arr. The 5th and 6th are cleaner, quieter and more photogenic in my opinion.

Getting Here

If you’re coming from the UK, the Eurostar is the only option I would suggest. It is quick, efficient and a more pleasant experience than flying, driving or taking the coach. It also drops you off right in the town centre.

General Info

Paris is hectic. I thought London was bad but was rather surprised in my first week in the French capital. It felt like a crossover between London and New York. Streets were packed and noisy with lots going on. However in the middle of the chaos were people just chilling with a glass of white and watching it all unfold. Like any major city crime does happen and here I exercised extra caution. I mostly used a sling, didn’t venture too far away from the central spots and at night only stayed in well lit main locations. To some that might be boring but to me it is just a bit of common sense.

Getting Around

Paris has an amazing tube system however I didn’t use it at all. I found myself walking everywhere because Paris is very walkable. Also by walking you get to see most of the city. Of course you can also hire bikes and scooters but given the traffic, road conditions and style of driving, it is something I would avoid. One thing I would suggest is hiring out an old classic Citroen and a tour guide for a couple hours on a Sunday morning. What a fantastic way to see the city.

Weather / Climate

I visited in April and found the weather to be a total mixed bag with plenty of rain and overcast days. If I were to come again, I would rather come in May or September in order to benefit from better weather. Summers can get very warm and winters can get cold, rainy and dull. Heavy showers are not uncommon so bring an umbrella just in case.

Camera Gear

Some cities tend to work better with certain lenses, however in Paris I found a use for every single lens. From a wide 28mm to a medium 50mm and even a telephoto 135mm. The 28mm is great for getting into the middle of a scene and documenting. It is also good for architecture and cityscapes. The 50mm is for subjects and general photography, while the 135mm is perfect for details and abstract shots.

Photography

Overall I found photography here a little challenging in some regards but easy in others. There is no question that Paris is very photogenic and timeless, however there is so much going on, so much detail and so much chaos that it can be overwhelming to find compositions. Attitude to photography is ok and I never ran into any issues.

Arrondissements

Paris is split up into districts or as they are correctly called, arrondissements. In total there are 20 and each one has its own unique character. In this guide I will not cover every single one. Instead I will cover the ones where I found myself spending the most time and where I got the best shots. In total I found myself spending most of my time on the islands and 5th - 6th Arr. The second most was 1st - 4th Arr. The 18th I visited a couple times and the others I have passed through maybe once or so but wasn’t super excited to return. Of course this is based on my tastes and you might be the opposite.

1-2nd Arr

The very centre of town. It’s busy, hectic and it seems this is where most tourists spend their time (other than the Eiffel Tower). The Louvre is here as well as many other museums and galleries. Now this might sound a bit odd but it had a bit of a New York feel to it. Perhaps it was the organised chaos or the smoke stacks dotted around. Either way this was a great place to shoot especially early in the mornings when it was a little quiet.

One notable spot is the Pompidou Museum. Of course if you like your art, then you will have a field day here. However The view from the top is one of my favourite in Paris. To be honest it could be the best view I have seen especially at sunset.

Everyone goes to the Louvre and to be honest I figured I would go just to see it for myself. However I was SO gutted I left the camera at home. On a sunny day there are so many photo spots especially further up. Of course one needs to visit as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

There are plenty of other museums and galleries to explore. I didn’t research any of them and just went to any I was walking past. In most cases not many photo opportunities however well worth seeing anyway. In some cases though, there are… so make sure to not leave your camera at home.

Finally this district is full of shops and restaurants thus creating a reflection heaven.

3-4th Arr

Now we are heading into the more quirky part of town. It is hectic but manageable and I can best compare it to Soho in London or NY. It’s full of colour, characters, amazing details and plenty to see and do. There isn’t anything notable to mention here in terms of spots you must see. I would say just zig zag around, pay attention for pop up flea markets and see where you end up. Finally almost all of my favourite food and coffee spots were in these two districts. There is just too much choice, however falafels in the Jewish Quarter were something else.

5-7th Arr

For these three districts we are heading over the river and we will begin in the 5th Arr also known as the Latin Quarter. The Latin Quarter is a traditional student district with some amazing architecture too. There are loads of amazing hidden gems and not so hidden ones like the Pantheon.

Moving to the 6th Arr we have a more refined, clean and calm environment. My favourite bit as you’re walking from the 5th to the 6th is the Jardin du Luxembourg. The park is incredible and is full of characters. I especially like chess players.

As you move through the 6th, you will feel like this is the real Paris or the one that you pictured in your mind. This is by far my favourite part of the city.

As you get closer to the 7th Arr, you will start to see the Eiffel Tower. Many of the streets will have unique views of the tower so it’s worth exploring. If you do this walk late in the afternoon, you will get a great sunset as a backdrop too.

18th Arr

Finally we are heading up to the 18th Arr, specifically to Montmartre. On the way there you will pass by many other district and even past the famous Moulin Rouge. I would say that this walk is better done during the day. At night I would probably grab an Uber. Montmartre is known for its art however there is so much more. I would make my way to the very top of the hill to Sacré-Cœur Basilica. From then I would explore all around it and eventually make my way back to the 9th and further into town from there. Overall half a day is enough here in my opinion… preferably in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Paris Islands

In the very centre of town there are two islands. The first one is the île de la Cité. It is the biggest and also houses the Norte Dame. Some parts of it are relatively quiet however the main areas are pretty busy. I suggest doing a loop round the perimeter and then zig zagging through the middle

The second island is called the île Saint-Louise and is noticeably smaller. Personally I much preferred this island due to it being quiet, peaceful and almost feeling like you’re not in a huge city. It is full of photogenic streets, boutique shops and plenty of spots to sit down for a coffee and a croissant. I also found the lower footfall easier in terms of isolating subjects in photos.

Along The River

The final suggestion is to do a walk along the river. Start from the bank of the 4th Arr and walking all the way to Place de Varsovie. Here you can quickly run up the hill and get the famous Eiffel Tower shot. Although unless you’re there for sunrise, it will be packed.

From here cross the bridge towards Eiffel Tower, turn left and walk all the way back along the river to the 5th Arr.

This is a long walk and depending on your pace can take at least half a day. However it is a beautiful way to see the city.