Experience exquisite fine dining in some of the best rated French restaurants; watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle against the night sky at midnight; marvel at artistic treasures from artists like Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh. While we might never know what life as a Parisian is truly like unless we make the move, we can certainly begin to scratch the surface with the list of Instagrammable places below.
You can find the exact location of all of these places, and save it to your bucket list with the Viewbound App! You can download it here, or find it by searching for Viewbound in your app store.
22 Instagrammable Places in Paris for 2023
1. The Eiffel Tower from Trocadero
A lattice tower built temporarily for the World Trade Show in 1889 and standing over 1000 ft on the Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower is a cultural icon and a photo spot you can’t miss in Paris. Holding the title of the World’s Tallest Structure for over five decades, it is a cultural icon for France and one of the most popular tourist attractions across the globe. As you can imagine, a landmark so popular can be a madhouse of people struggling to capture that perfect shot of Paris that you see on Instagram, surrounded by hundreds of people trying to do the same.
While we definitely recommend getting up close and personal with the Eiffel Tower, our best chance for a great photo is from afar. Trocadero sits across the river from the Eiffel Tower and provides stellar views, especially from the stairs. Come bright and early as the sun is rising to avoid the crowds and get that picture perfect Instagram shot of the Eiffel Tower.
That said, definitely take the trip to the viewing platform and stay to watch it light up at midnight (two more great photo opportunities with the Eiffel Tower and perfect ways to start exploring what Paris has to offer beyond the photo opportunities).
2. Palais Garnier
A visit to Paris is a time to appreciate the finer things in life. The Palais Garnier is definitely one of those. A beautiful 1979-seat opera house, offering some of the most glamorous Instagrammable interiors in France. The opera house has been featured in The Phantom of the Opera films and hosts operas, ballets, balls, and much more. If you’re a fan of theater and/or opera, a guided tour will let you get the most out of a visit to the Palais Garnier.
But, if you don’t have the time for a tour or just want to make a quick visit to take advantage of the immaculate photography opportunities, we can help you out with that. Make sure to stop by the grand staircase that sits just beyond the main entrance. This is a spectacular work of marble from Sweden, Italy, and France and exudes the luxury of 19th century France. From there, make your way to the Grand Foyer and step into a warm corridor of golden everything. The best photos here feature the stunning mural on the ceiling. Created by artist Paul-Jacques-Aime Baudry, his rectangular mural is one of the most popular features in the Palais Garnier.
3. Musée d'Orsay
Set along the left bank of the Seine River is the Musée d’Orsay, a museum that houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressions pieces in the world. Before becoming the museum that it is today, the Musée d’Orsay was one of Paris’ old train stations. Today, rather than badges and uniforms, you’ll find masterpieces from the likes of Monet, Seurat, Gauguin and Van Gogh.
To reach the most Insta-worthy spot in all of the museum, we’re going to suggest starting your visit a bit backwards. Up on the fifth floor of the Musée d’Orsay, in the North-East corner near the gift shop, is a giant clock that also serves as a window out onto a spectacularly unique view of Paris. Through the clock hands, you can see the trees and ferris wheel in the Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre, all beneath a wide open sky.
4. Grand Mosque of Paris
When you think of Paris, the thought of instagrammable Islamic architecture might not spring to mind. But if you’re looking for something a little off-the-beaten track and to have a unique experience in Paris, a visit to the Grand Mosque is the perfect place to start. The oldest mosque in Paris, The Grand Mosque has an honorable history as a place of secret refuge for Jews during World War II where they found shelter and even fake Muslim birth certificates.
You don’t want to judge a book by its cover here. While the outside of the building is fairly plain, stepping inside the stark white walls will bring you face to face with a beauty that will take your breath away. The walls are adorned in delicate, bright mosaic tiles; the courtyard is filled with an abundance of lush greenery and soft flowers; and the teal-tiled pathways that surround the fountains depict an incredible likeness to a pool of water. We recommend beginning your photo hunt in the courtyard and discovering the many hidden gems from there.
5. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris
Disney lovers can’t pass up the opportunity to visit Disneyland Paris. It is here that magic comes to life in a land full of smiles, laughter and cotton candy. At the forefront of it all stands an enchanting castle with blush pink walls and classic, royal blue Disney spires. Children and adults alike will feel like they’ve fallen into a fairytale as soon as they lay their eyes upon the Sleeping Beauty Castle.
But the question is, how to snag the perfect instagrammable photo of Disneyland Paris. Well, we suggest starting at the wall that follows the bridge up to the Sleeping Beauty Castle. It has multiple ledges for sitting and is a great way to avoid the crowds as most people tend to take photos closer to the castle. To the left of the bridge is a ground level walking path that offers up so many more photo spots with great vantage points of the itself. Take a wander around to find the perfect spot. With so many different areas to take a photo in, you won’t have trouble finding one without the crowds!
6. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
The Notre-Dame Cathedral is a distinct landmark of beauty and architecture on the streets of Paris. The cathedral itself is a stunning piece of Gothic architecture, from the flying buttresses and the cathedral towers to its 300-foot spire. The Notre-Dame’s tell-tale gargoyles perch along the balconies protecting the cathedral as they look out over Paris. An inspiration for Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the novel and following Disney film brought back a lot of interest in the cathedral after being damaged during the French Revolution.
You can visit Notre Dame and attend a service, or simply take a peek inside for free. However, if you want to explore a little bit more, we recommend climbing to the top of the towers. 422 steps will take you to the very top, and here you have an incredible view of Paris. To capture the outside on camera, we recommend Petit-Pont bridge. There is a wide pedestrian path here with lots of angles.
7. Musée Gustave Moreau
The former home of artist Gustave Moreau is now an intriguing three-story museum featuring all of Moreau’s work. The museum itself has been kept just as it was when Moreau lived in the house, allowing visitors to look into how the artist lived his life behind closed doors. It’s like stepping back in time as you enter the first floor, wandering through the rooms of Moreau’s apartment – all left just as it was. The second floor is where you will find a bright, open space filled with special works of art covering every last bit of wall space. There are no plaques of information explaining what anything is, each piece is there for you to interpret for yourself.
The real treasure (and most instagrammable photo spot) in the Musée Gustave Moreau is the unique staircase that leads from the second to third floor. The stunning spiral staircase is a feature of exquisite yet bizarre architecture. Backed by a pink wall with a beautiful display of Moreau’s work, this spot makes for a great photo opportunity!
8. Rue Crémieux
This residential cobblestone street is becoming an Instagram sensation! You will probably recognise the rainbow coloured facades, quite possibly making this the most colorful, photogenic street in Paris. It has become a hot spot for photographers and fashionistas thanks to the brightly hued homes and potted plants that run up and down the length of the street. While Rue Crémieux used to be a secret hideaway, this enchanting street is beginning to become popular for those wanting their own little photo shoot amidst the rows of adorable homes.
The house at Rue Crémieux 30 is achingly sweet. Painted bubble gum pink with white wood in the shape of an X, it reminds us of homey farmhouses out in the countryside. Coupled with its light gray door and big, shuttered windows, this home makes for the perfect instagram photo background.
As always, this is a residential street and these houses are all homes, lived in by everyday people. So, have fun and take your perfect Paris photos, but remember to be respectful of those who live there and their space.
9. L'Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile
Everyone always wants to rush up to the top of the Eiffel Tower for the best views of Paris but the Arc de Triomphe has a view that can match (and maybe even beat it). First of all, when you’re at the top of the Eiffel Tower, everything on the streets of Paris is minuscule while the Arc de Triomphe puts you at a height where you can get a really great birds eye view but are close enough that you can still make out the details. Not to mention, you’ll actually see the Eiffel Tower from here!
Standing at the western end of the Champs-Elysée, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and lost their lives for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. The arch boasts Neoclassical, ancient Roman architecture and beautiful reliefs sculpted on the outer facades.
The arch itself truly is a sight to see and one that you will definitely want to capture forever in a photo. As it sits in the middle of the road, and traffic can get busy here, aim to arrive very early in the morning in the hopes of beating the traffic.
10. Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge. The name sparks thoughts of fantasy, over-the-top productions, and whimsy. This world-famous cabaret has held a long history within Paris as an extravagant place for people of all walks of life to mingle. Since it began in the 1880s, the Moulin Rouge has stood at the center of Parisian nightlife, featuring spectacular shows inspired by the circus, operettas, and the French can-can dance. The building itself is a work of art, with posters painted by famous artist Toulouse-Lautrec and the iconic red windmill.
The Moulin Rouge is colorful, quirky, and located in Montmartre, a neighborhood worth exploring after snapping your Paris photos. Whether you visit the Moulin Rouge in the daytime or would rather come and experience the buzz of nightlife after the sun goes down, the cabaret is always picture ready.
You will want to capture the brilliant windmill in your photo, so take up a position in front and slightly to the right of the windmill itself so that your shot gets the best view.
11. Jardin des Plantes
What could be more romantic than frolicking through a botanical garden in Paris? The Jardin des Plantes is tucked away just off of Gare D’Austerlitz station, a hidden gem that is filled with lovely, fresh blooms. It doesn’t matter what time of year you’ll visit, you will always be gifted a beautiful display of flowers, plants and trees by the thousands. The garden is a lovely place for a stroll on a warm, sunny day – hidden in plain sight amongst the bustling city streets and filled with photography opportunities.
Surround yourself with over 2000 species of mountain plants in the alpine garden. Take a walk amongst one of the picturesque, tree-lined paths. Bask in the fragrant aroma of 170 varieties of European roses that can be found in our favorite spot: the dreamy rose garden. A visit to the Jardin des Plantes is free for all and you can take your time soaking in all of the beauty and capturing that perfect shot for your next Insta photo.
12. La Maison Rose
Montmartre is filling up our Instagram feeds with beautiful, photo-worthy locations. This little pink house on the corner of Rue de l’Abreuvoir is actually a café that is 100% worth a visit. Pastel pink walls with green shutters and thick, fluffy vines hugging the neighboring walls makes La Maison Rose a popular spot for those searching for the next best photo spot. The charming neighborhood that it’s located in still holds the atmosphere of its past village days and the café holds the story of true love from all that time ago.
Opened by a woman and a painter shortly after being married, they took their love and grew it into one of the cutest cafes in Paris, standing the test of time since 1910. The best time to visit is early in the morning or late afternoon. When the café is open there is usually a bistro table set up outside. So, if you’re not too keen on having tables in your photo, be sure to visit on a Monday or Tuesday when they’re closed.
13. Pigalle Basketball
A basketball court in Technicolor is what you will find at Pigalle Basketball. Tucked away between apartment buildings, this basketball court has quickly become one of the most Instagrammable places in all of Paris thanks to its ultra Insta-worthy color scheme. The concept was created by a collaboration between Pigalle, the French fashion brand, NIKE, and a Parisian agency by the name of ill-studio and can be found in the trendy neighborhood of Montmartre.
Bright blue and pink gates lead the way into this funky space filled with sunset shades of purples, deep blues, oranges and yellows. There is not an inch of space that has not been transformed into rich, almost metallic-looking colors. When looking at the surrounding neutral shades of the apartment buildings surrounding the basketball court, it is a stark and joyful contrast. You’ll be awarded plenty of choice for the creative direction of your choice. Whether you want to strike a slouchy pose on the pink and blue stairs or have a go at capturing your basketball skills on the hoops, any spot amongst these mesmerizing colors will get you a trippy photo.
14. Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
If you’re searching for the most Insta-worthy hotel in the city of love, look no further. Le Metropolitan is a 36-room hotel that combines the romance and luxury that we all associate with Paris with breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower. This is a boutique hotel in a historic building that makes you feel like you’ve taken a step back from the touristy madness and into a slightly calmer, more residential vibe. Even so, the Eiffel Tower can be seen directly outside of the front doors.
Curious what really makes Le Metropolitan so desirable for Instagrammers? It’s the incredible views that can be seen out of the oval bedroom windows. Have you ever imagined waking up in the morning only to peer out the window from your cozy nest and see the Eiffel Tower as soon as you open your eyes? Perhaps you’d prefer to sip on your morning coffee and gaze out at quaint Parisian streets with the Eiffel Tower set between them? Well, you can do that here – and get the photo to prove it.
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15. Hotel Plaza Athenee
Hotel glamour combined with earthy sentiments is what the Plaza Athenee is all about. The courtyard is a picture-perfect scene of ivy vines climbing up walls and red accents found in window awnings and table umbrellas. The rooms step out onto flower-filled balconies and, with just a turn of the head, you would find yourself gazing down the street to yet another beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower.
The Plaza Athenee also features an all-white dining room that screams elegance thanks to the crystal adorning the ceiling. All of these different rooms, each precisely French yet unique in their own right, offers you many opportunities for photos to fill up your feed. Our favorite choice? Splurging on a room and waking up to breakfast alongside the Eiffel Tower.
16. Glass Pyramid of Louvre Museum
The Louvre is a world famous museum that claims the title of the largest art museum in the world. It is the home of historically significant works of art, like the Mona Lisa, and is so popular that it was actually the most visited art museum in the world just last year! While the Louvre is an icon of the city, the glass pyramid that sits at the entrance of the museum is nearly as famous as the museum itself.
The pyramid is made entirely of glass and metal, creating a completely transparent landmark that glistens in the daylight and beams with light as darkness falls. Pools and fountains surround the pyramid, allowing the light to play and dance in the reflections. If you’re wanting to have a go at capturing a dazzling photo of the glass pyramid, we recommend coming on a day when the sky is clear and the sun is bright.
17. Le Mur Des Je T'aime
In the Jehan Rictus square of Montmartre, Paris, is where you will find a wall dedicated to what Paris does best: love. The “I love you wall” has become a meeting place for lovers, peace searchers and anyone wanting to add their declaration of love. 250 languages make up over 300 written words of love. The wall was created as a piece of art by Frederic Baron and Claire Kito, painting a message of the need for love in a society that has become fearful in the face of violence.
Set against a black wall made up of squares of enameled lava, the white writing pops and is accentuated by bits of red floating between words. These red splashes are said to be pieces of a broken heart to represent the human race being torn apart.A picture here not only makes for an artsy backdrop but a message about love and its importance to the world.
18. Avenue de Camoëns
One of the most Instagrammable views in Paris is here at Avenue de Camoëns. This photo spot just proved you don’t need to be standing directly in front of the Eiffel Tower to take in a great view. Avenue de Camoëns has been around since 1904 and might just be one of the tiniest streets in Paris at only 115 meters long. While Trocadero is the famous Eiffel Tower sighting spot, Avenue de Camoëns is its little cousin flying under the radar and a sweet discovery for those who check it out.
From here, you can find unique views with far less crowds than the more well known Eiffel tower photo locations. It captures a particular essence of Paris in the charming lampposts, beautifully old railings and Parisian apartments surrounding the tower. The best spot? Up at the top of the staircase gets you at just the right height to take it all in.
19. Sainte-Chapelle
If you want to fill your eyes with the wonder of Gothic architecture, don’t pass up a visit to Sainte-Chapelle. This royal chapel has been around since the early 1200s. Built in an impressive seven years it managed to survive (with some damage) the French Revolution. Wandering through Sainte-Chapelle and taking in the quiet, yet powerful, atmosphere is a spiritual experience in and of itself but the most beautiful feature of the chapel is the stained glass windows.
As you walk into the chapel, you will notice fifteen windows dating back to the 13th century. Each one stands at 15 meters high and is made up entirely of stained glass to create no less than 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testament. These are some of the oldest windows in Paris and easily some of the most dazzling, emphasized by the glowing candelabras that light up the space. If you’re wanting to snap a photo here, you will definitely want to feature the stained glass.
20. Sinking House in Montmartre
The sinking house in Montmartre is both an oddity and an Instagram sensation. Actually, the sinking house is not sinking at all! It’s a fun, whimsical optical illusion. A trick of the eye and a tiny bit of creative thinking. There is also not a direct address so you will need to be ready to go on a bit of an adventure to find the sinking house. Alternatively, you can see the exact location of this wonder on the Viewbound app map!
You might be wondering how the house appears as though it is a sinking ship going down. Well, in real life, it’s not. You’ll find your photo features the house straight up and down behind the grass. To create the sinking effect, you’ll need to do a quick edit to your photo by angling it to the left.
21. Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
Built for the Universal Exposition, the Petit Palais is an architectural treasure from 1900 France. Inspired by the French styles of the 17th and 18th centuries, this building features stunning bits of architecture that beg to have their photo taken.
Ionic columns stand at the forefront, encasing a massive grand porch. At the center of it all is the main entrance, showing off a central archway with a beautiful golden gate.While you should take a peek inside to see the interior, we recommend taking some time at the golden gate to create an enchanting image.
In order to do both, plan your visit closer to the evening, near closing time. This way you can have a chance to wander around inside until everyone leaves. Once Petit Palais is closed, then the golden gate will also close and you will have your chance to pose for photos on the staircase leading up to the gate. The gate truly is a spectacular vision and well worth waiting around to get that perfect instagram shot.
22. Sacré-Cœur - The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris
The Sacré-Cœur is one of the most well known places in Paris, a beautiful church in the middle of the Montmartre district. While it is an iconic destination, it is definitely worth a visit on your trip to Paris. The building and its surroundings are perfect for an aesthetic Instagram photo shoot! If you want to mix it up a bit, step outside of the tourist trap at “the Overlook of Paris” and head towards Rue de l’Abreuvoir or the Musée d’Orsay Clock to see the church as a part of the beautiful Paris skyline.
Instagrammable Paris: 22 Photo Spots to Visit in 2023 Overview
Here are 22 iconic and hidden photo spots you have to visit when in Paris to both capture the perfect Instagram picture, but also explore a little of the art and culture that makes the city so special. If you want to save all these locations in one place, or find other hidden gems, pretty streets and photo locations, head to the Viewbound app and search for “Paris”.
You can download the app here or find it in your app store!
