The first things that come to mind when someone mentions Paris are romantic cobblestoned streets lit by street lamps, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and French fashion. Situated on the Seine River, Paris is a major destination for honeymooners and tourists, and well known as a center of fashion and arts.
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Must see sites
They don’t call Paris the City of Lights for nothing – the Eiffel Tower is a prime example of a light show if there ever was one. Head up the tower on a clear day to get an amazing birds eye view of the entire city, but be sure to return again at night to see the tower when it’s all lit up.
I guarantee you it is a sight you will not forget. If you are up for a walk, you might want to consider strolling down the Champs-Elysées towards the Arc de Triomphe and then on to the Champ de Mars.
The Musée du Louvre is a must visit if you are ever in Paris. Formerly the royal palace, the museum itself is as impressive as the art pieces it houses. A mix of both classical and modern architecture, the pyramids of the Louvre was once a highly controversial issue. Now, it is one of the most famous landmarks in the city of Paris.
Also on the Right Bank is the Tuileries Garden, which is located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde.
As you can see, there are lots of points of interest within walking distance of each other in Paris, and every corner presents a different photographic opportunity.
Be sure to visit Notre-Dame for a prime example of Gothic architecture and design, walk up the hills of Montmarte from the Moulin Rouge to the beautiful Sacré Coeur at the top where you can see the entire city from above. Also explore the laneways in Saint Germain and Saint Michel.
Around Paris
I highly recommend making a trip to Versailles to see the former palace of King Louis XIV. Château de Versailles is as opulent as can be expected of any king’s palace, and made even more spectacular with over 800 hectares land dedicated to the gardens of Versailles, which boasts some of the most spectacular garden landscapes in classic french style.
Night photography
When taking photos at night, there are many things to consider, such as too little light vs. too much light, overexposure and stabilizing your camera without a tripod for long exposure shots.
Familiarizing yourself with the settings on your camera will help you achieve the best shots especially when you need to be quick.
Do not discount some of the automatic scene settings on your camera, such as the sports mode. The results might surprise even yourself.
Where to stay and eat
How is food in Paris? Just awesome. These are the places I liked the most
- Le Hibou – atmospheric bistro with modern fare in the Saint-Germain area.
- Le Relais Gascon – well known for the amazing salads served in large bowls.
- Un Zébre à Montmarte – cosy little bistro up the hill from the Moulin Rouge.
Where to sleep? Paris is another expensive city to stay however you can stay in some unique places!!
The Hilton Paris Opera is probably not economical but, hey, how many times you are in Paris? This is an amazing hotel in a beautiful Parisien building.
The breakfast is a huge room that recalls the old tea houses of Paris. It’s next to the Saint-Lazare metro station and walking distance from the Place de la Concorde
The other visited cities in this photography trip series
This post was written in collaboration with Stephanie Chew, our European expert
Great suggestions for photography locations in Paris. I love seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night! There’s nothing like it in Paris.