Paris is full of photogenic corners that have nothing to do with the classic postcard shots. Beyond the major monuments, the city hides colorful facades, unusual viewpoints and unexpected backdrops that are well worth the detour, as long as you take the time to find them. Here is a selection of spots that always make for a great photo, alongside the covered passages and rooftops already covered elsewhere on the site.
The Wall of Love
In Square Jehan-Rictus, in Montmartre, just steps from the Abbesses metro station, a wall of blue ceramic tiles spells out "I love you" in more than 250 languages. It's one of the most popular photo spots in the capital, especially late in the day when the low light softens the colors.
The free Galeries Lafayette rooftop
From the department store's panoramic terrace on Boulevard Haussmann, the view stretches over Paris's zinc rooftops and the nearby dome of the Opéra Garnier. Admission is free, making it one of the few central Paris viewpoints open without a reservation or a ticket; our guide to the best rooftops in Paris covers more addresses of the kind.
The Galeries Lafayette glass dome
Inside the store, a huge neo-Byzantine Art Nouveau glass dome rises several floors above the central hall. Simply look up from the balconies to frame this colorful cupola, one of the most photographed ceilings in Paris.
The Colonnes de Buren at the Palais-Royal
In the main courtyard of the Palais-Royal, this installation of black-and-white striped columns by Daniel Buren has been playing with light and perspective since it was unveiled in 1986. Children and adults alike enjoy hopping from column to column, much to photographers' delight.
The Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
The Parvis des Droits de l'Homme, on the Chaillot hill, offers the most classic and widest view of the Eiffel Tower, across the Seine. It's especially rewarding early in the morning, before the crowds arrive, or at nightfall, when the tower sparkles for a few minutes every hour.
Rue Crémieux
In the 12th arrondissement, not far from Gare de Lyon, this small pedestrian, cobbled street lined with low pastel-colored houses has become a favorite postcard-like backdrop on social media. It's a residential street, though, so it's best to stay quiet, avoid blocking residents' doorways and not linger with professional equipment.
Montmartre's stairways and viewpoints
Beyond the steps of the Sacré-Cœur, the hill hides plenty of lesser-known stairways and small squares, such as those winding around Rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre or Square Louise-Michel. These are often the best places to photograph the basilica without fighting for an angle.
Tips
Aim for early morning, before 9am, to photograph these spots without the crowds, especially Rue Crémieux and the Wall of Love. At the Galeries Lafayette, the terrace is open during the store's regular hours; visiting the dome on a weekday, outside the sales periods and end-of-year holidays, makes for a calmer visit. To reach these spots, line 12 (Abbesses station) serves Montmartre, lines 7 and 9 (Chaussée d'Antin - La Fayette station) lead straight to the Galeries Lafayette, line 1 (Palais-Royal - Musée du Louvre station) stops right by the Colonnes de Buren, and line 6 (Trocadéro station) opens onto the square facing the Eiffel Tower. For Rue Crémieux, line 1 (Gare de Lyon station) is the closest stop. All of these spots are free to visit, aside from any paid areas inside the Galeries Lafayette.
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