The Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots To Level Up Your Paris Photos
Looking for the best Eiffel Tower photo spots in Paris? Keep reading to find out where you can get the best pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
Nothing says Paris quite like the Eiffel Tower. This iconic structure is not only the symbol of Paris and France, it’s also one of the best engineering feats of its time. If you’re visiting Paris soon taking a photo with the Eiffel Tower is probably high up on your bucket list.
You’ll be pleased to know that there are many Eiffel Tower viewpoints where you can take beautiful pictures. Most of them are immediately around the structure itself but there are a few a little further out meaning you’ll be able to snap up the best Eiffel Tower views whatever your Paris itinerary might look like.
So you’re probably asking yourself where are the best Eiffel Tower photo spots. Where can I take the best pictures of Eiffel Tower amid the Paris photo spots? Well, I have you covered. Keep reading to find out about the most popular Eiffel Tower photo spots, my personal favourite spots and a couple of other hidden gem locations I personally found during my time in Paris.
Read more: Paris in 2 Days Itinerary: The Definitive Weekend Guide
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The Best Time to Visit Paris to Take Pictures of Eiffel Tower
When it comes to taking the best pictures of the Eiffel Tower, the season in which you visit Paris is important. There’s a big difference between summer and winter when it comes to things like tree foliage, light, weather and the best times of day to take Eiffel Tower photos.
In general, however, the best time to visit Paris is in the spring and summer months of May, June, July and August. These are the hottest months where temperatures can reach about 30°C/85°F or even more but generally, you’re most likely to see an average temperature of about 20°C/68°F or 22°C/71°F.
In summer you’re more likely to see much fewer rainy and cloudy days too giving you more time to take photos.
Another pro of visiting Paris in the summer is the long daylight hours and with sunlight from about 5 am until 10 pm in the summertime, it gives you plenty more time to explore, especially if you only have a few days in Paris.
Summer however is the most crowded time so you will be sharing all the Eiffel Tower photo spots with far more people. For this reason, always try to start your day as early as possible.
The months of May and September, the shoulder season, are also great times to visit.
In winter, Paris, like many other northern European cities can be quite cold, rainy and grey. Daylight hours are also much shorter so if you’re planning to visit in winter I highly recommend extending your itinerary to 3 or 4 days in Paris or even a week to have enough time for your Eiffel Tower photos.
Also, winter is going to have an effect on your photos of the Eiffel Tower. The light in the winter is different, it can be weaker and more diffused, which can actually be a good thing. However, the chances of having a sunny day are much lower than in summer.
Another thing to note is that there will be no foliage on the trees in winter. Many of the best Eiffel Tower photo spots are surrounded by parks and trees and green areas but you’ll need to consider that in winter these will look much less green than in summer.
The Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots in Paris
There are many amazing photo locations to take photos of the Eiffel Tower, luckily most of them are immediately around the landmark itself or in the streets close by. Most of these Eiffel tower photo spots will allow you to get some nice close-up shots of the Eiffel tower as well as get some portrait shots with an Eiffel Tower background.
These spots are also great for those looking for gorgeous Parisian street photos with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Here are the best Eiffel Tower photo spots in Paris that I managed to find during hours of searching the area on my recent trip to Paris.
Jardins du Trocadero
Probably the most classic view of the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero is a vast space immediately over the river via the Iena Bridge from the Eiffel Tower.
The most popular Eiffel Tower photo location here over the years has been the Palais de Chaillot, which provided sweeping views of the Eiffel Tower. However, in recent years this area has been bordered up most probably to stop so many people from coming and taking photos on the famous stairs.
Due to this, it’s no longer the amazing photo spot that it was so you’ll have to get creative.
It’s still possible to find a good photo spot on the stairs going down to the Trocadero but you’ll need to arrive here very early as it’s always full of people taking photos. Alternatively, there are many unique photo opportunities in the actual gardens where you can find your own angle that hasn’t yet been featured all over Instagram.
During the summer especially, this is a lovely, nature-filled spot to get some beautiful Eiffel Tower photos.
When to Visit: This is a very popular Eiffel Tower photo spot so sunrise is the best time to visit Trocadero and the Jardins du Trocadero. Also, the golden sunrise light here does wonders for photos.
Avenue de Camoens
Avenue de Camoens is one of the most popular photo locations of the Tour Eiffel but it also is one of the most beautiful. The dead-end street is a quiet street flanked by mid-century Parisian buildings and at its end, a classic, stone balustrade and staircase heading down to the street below.
From here you can take great Eiffel Tower street view photos as well as portraits with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The spot has some great potential for taking some beautiful Eiffel Tower pictures.
When to Visit: As this spot is really popular you’ll need to be here right after sunrise and you’ll most likely have to share it with some other photographers/influencers. Note that after sunrise the street doesn’t have much light in it, so it’s also well worth trying to take photos here later in the day too.
Pont d’Iéna
For a classic photo location, almost right under the Tour Eiffel, Pont d’Iéna is a great photo spot. This is the bridge that takes you to the Eiffel Tower from the Jardins de Trocadero. You can head out into the middle of the road (please be careful of the cars), or take photos of the Eiffel Tower from the sides of the bridge. There are many different angles to experiment with here.
Also if you want to take photos of the Eiffel Tower at night, with its flashing lights, this is a great spot, just make sure to bring your tripod to avoid those blurry photos.
When to Visit: Early in the morning after sunrise to avoid too much traffic and crowds. For nighttime photos of the flashing Eiffel Tower come here after dark, on the hour, when the Eiffel Tower flashes.
Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel
Right by the Eiffel Tower, at the foot of Pont d’Iena is the Eiffel Tower Carrousel.
It’s a lovely photo location for those wanting to get creative and potentially add some movement to their images of the Eiffel Tower.
You can include the top of the carousel in your Eiffel tower photos to add some colour and texture or you can also ride the carousel and have someone take photos of you with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
When to Visit: If you want to get good photos of the carousel you’ll need to come later in the day as if you’re coming into the area to take photos early in the morning, the carousel is still closed.
It generally opens in the afternoons and stays open into the evenings. It could also be closed during the winter. If you know more about its opening times then please let me know in the comments below.
Pont de Bir Hakeim
For one of the best bridge views in Paris, Bir Hakeim Bridge is where to head.
Pont de Bir Hakeim is located to the west of Pont d’Iena. The bridge itself is rather different from most of the others in Paris, architecturally and structurally. With its modern, industrial look, it’s a great spot for photos. It’s also a two-tier bridge, the upper tier is used for metro trains and the lower tier for pedestrians, cars and bicycles.
The best spot to start is on the north side of the bridge from which you can get some amazing views of the Eiffel Tower and the river Seine.
Even though it’s without the Eiffel Tower view, there’s also a great photo spot in the middle of the bridge, running lengthways on the cycle lane. Even if you find some other people also taking photos here, the bridge is big enough for everyone.
When to Visit: This is actually one spot that it’s too crowded. It’s best visited earlier in the morning but if you don’t manage it, no sweat, it will probably work well in the afternoon too, in the evening or at sunset too.
Champ de Mars
Much like the Jardins du Trocadero, Champ de Mars is a large, leafy green park located to the south of the Eiffel Tower on the left bank. It has many patches of grass, perfect for a picnic in the summer or spring as well as tree-lined alleyways.
Everywhere you look in this park, there are some great Eiffel tower photo opportunities, from setting up a picnic with a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower to walking down one of the many paths towards the historical landmark. It’s the perfect spot to get creative with photos.
Note that due to the weather and the nature of the seasons, this spot can be quite grey and muddy in the winter. During the summer, however, it’s a very scenic spot.
When to Visit: Champ de Mars is a really large open space so you can easily find a great spot to take photos from at any time of day. A clear-blue sky day is best.
Rue de L’Université
Rue de l’Université is one of the most scenic streets in Paris when it comes to Eiffel tower views. It’s also one of the most ‘Instagrammable’.
Rue de l’Univeristé is actually quite a long street but the part that you want for the best photos of the Eiffel Tower is right at the intersection with Av de la Bourdonnais. This is a dead-end street with the most beautiful grand Parisian buildings on each side of the street and of course, the stunning Eiffel Tower at the end.
On this street, there are so many different photo shoot opportunities from portraits with an Eiffel tower background to more simple street photography.
Note that this is quite a popular place to take photos so you’ll probably have to share the street with some other people too. Make sure not to come too early because there won’t be enough light hitting the streets- the buildings on either side are quite tall.
Finally, as this is a street, you might get cars parked on either side of the street. Luckily when I visited the street was closed off to cars. Perhaps this is a permanent thing!?
When to Visit: For light, this location is best in the middle of the day when both sides of the street are receiving sunlight. To avoid crowds it’s best early in the morning. For this location, you might need to ask yourself whether light or having fewer people in photos is your priority.
Av. Rapp
Along Avenue Rapp, you’ll find many intersections with gorgeous Parisian street views and the Eiffel Tower. I highly recommend walking down the whole of Av. Rapp (it’s not too long) and see which photo spots you like best along the way.
My personal favourite was Av Rapp with Rue de Monttessuy but there are many other lovely photo spots around too.
Another popular spot is Square Rapp, just of Av. Rapp that’s a popular spot for taking pretty Eiffel Tower pictures.
When to Visit: As this is a working Parisian street it does get busy during the day. I’d say avoid this location during rush hour. Try to visit at some point in the morning or early afternoon for the best light.
Rue de Buenos Aires
Very similar to the view you’ll get on Rue de L’Universite, this street is just on the other side of the park so the view is simply reversed. It is, however, a lot less busy than Rue de l’Universite so if you find that one full of people or parked cars make sure to head over here.
Rue de Buenos Aires is a beautiful little dead-end road with lovely classical buildings on either side. At the end of the street, you’ll find the iconic Eiffel Tower. It’s a fantastic little spot to take cute pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
When to Visit: As Rue de Buenos Aires has almost the same views as Rue de l’Universite you’ll need to ask yourself whether you want to prioritise having better light or no people in your photos. For better light visit in the late morning, for crowd control visit in the early morning.
Port Debilly (by Pont d’Iéna)
On the right bank side immediately over Pont D’Iéna and down by the river you’ll find Port Debilly, a quiet street running parallel to the river Seine. Along here there are many amazing spots for Eiffel Tower picture ideas.
Here, not only are there some pretty glorious Eiffel Tower photo views but you’ll be able to get the river in your photos too. Not just for photos but it’s also the best place to view the Eiffel Tower too throughout the day and in the evening, especially when it lights up.
When to Visit: While it can get quite crowded, the banks of the Seine are pretty long so there’s plenty of space for everyone to get the perfect photos. For this reason, it’s a great Eiffel Tower Photo Spot at all times of the day.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
A department store might not be the first place you think of when it comes to views of the Eiffel Tower. This iconic Parisian store, however, has a lovely rooftop with stunning views of the surrounding area and you guessed it, the magical Tour Eiffel.
Simply enter the store, make your way up to the top floor and follow the signs for the rooftop. It’s free to enter but it is crowded so I highly recommend getting here when the store opens at 10 am (or 11 am on Sunday). To double-check opening hours on their website click here.
The Eiffel Tower is quite a bit of distance from Galeries Lafayette Haussmann so it helps to bring a good zoom lens to capture it well. As it’s a rooftop there’s also a glass and metal barrier that’ll be in your photos too but it’s a great spot to get creative.
Not only does it have great potential for Eiffel Tower photography you can also photograph the Opera Garnier and a few other Paris landmarks from here too.
When to Visit: The Galeries Lafayette rooftop can get pretty busy so try to aim for 10 am or soon after it opens to avoid the crowds.
Seine River
For a completely different perspective, the Seine River offers many more Eiffel Tower photo shoot opportunities. Many take photos from the banks of the Seine but why not get on a Seine River Cruise and take photos of the Eiffel tower from the boat instead?
There are many Seine River cruises to choose from which are a great way to not only get photos of the Eiffel Tower but to see some other Paris landmarks too. Make sure to look into this 1-hour Seine River Cruise for a simple trip or check out this Evening River Cruise with Dinner for an upgraded experience. This will also give you a great chance to take some sunset photos of the Eiffel Tower.
When to Visit: During all times of the day or in the evening, depending on which type of river cruise you opt for.
Pont Alexandre III
Probably the most beautiful bridge in Paris, Pont Alexandre III is another excellent spot to take cool pictures of the Eiffel Tower. There are many different spots for photos here ranging from on the bridge itself or from the banks of the Seine which allows you to get photos which include both the Eiffel Tower and the bridge itself.
My personal favorite spot to take photos on Pont Alexandre III is from the right bank a little further across from the bridge (see photos below).
The gold ornaments on the bridge allow your photos to really stand out, especially against a Parisian blue-sky day. This spot really allows you to get creative when it comes to subject matter and compositions in your photos.
When to Visit: As the bridge is long there are plenty of spots to take photos here. This makes Pont Alexandre III a great photo spot at all times of the day.
Au Canon des Invalides/Rue Saint-Dominique
Rue Saint-Dominique itself is one of the most beautiful streets in Paris and it’s full of quaint Parisian cafes, delis, bakeries and boutiques. It’s also surprisingly local- arrive early in the morning and you’ll find locals starting their day, picking up croissants and going shopping.
Au Canon des Invalides is a little cafe/brasserie on Rue Saint-Dominique and on this part of the street, you’ll find some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. You can choose to include the cafe in your photos or you can avoid it altogether but the picture of the Eiffel Tower with this beautiful street really is one of the best shots you can get in Paris.
When to Visit: You’ll need to be quite flexible with this photo because this is a working street that sees a lot of vans and delivery trucks in the morning so you might have to be patient when it comes to taking these pretty pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
Also, if it’s a sunny day this street also gives really harsh shadows so it’s better to come on a slightly cloudy day when the light is more diffused.
Le Recrutement Cafe – Rue Saint- Dominique
Just a view steps from Au Canon des Invalides on the corner of Rue Saint-Dominique and Bd de la Tour-Maubourg is Le Recrutement Cafe another popular photo spot with brilliant Eiffel Tower views.
Again you can photograph the pretty cafe with the Eiffel Tower in the background or miss it altogether. Just make sure not to miss the opportunity to photograph the quintessentially Parisian streets with the bonus of having the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Remember that this is a busy intersection so you’ll need to be patient and watch out for oncoming traffic.
When to Visit: Same as Au Canon des Invalides above.
Arc de Triomphe
From the top of the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll find some spectacular Eiffel Tower views and sweeping views of Paris in general.
The Arc de Triomphe is located fairly close to the Eiffel Tower so views from here are quite impressive. Climbing the iconic arch will also give you lovely vistas of the Champs Elysees, Concorde and even the Louvre on a clear day.
One thing to note is that the top of the arch does have a few iron spikes soldered onto the stone which kind of get in the way of photos. It’s not a problem if you just want to take photos of the view, but portraits or selfies with the Eiffel Tower in the background are a little problematic as the spikes tend to be in the photos.
When to Visit: At all times of the day, try to choose a nice clear day for good views of the Eiffel Tower and blue sky background.
Find all our Eiffel Tower Photo Spots on Google Maps here
What is the best place to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower?
There are many amazing spots to take photos of the Eiffel Tower that provide different perspectives of the iconic structure
For close-up photos of the Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Champ de Mars and Rue de Buenos Aires are best.
If you want Parisian street photos with the Eiffel Tower in the shot then Avenue Rapp and Rue Saint-Dominique are best.
For photos of the flashing Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars or Pont D’Iéna are best.
My personal favourite locations were the Jardins du Trocadero, Avenue Rapp and Rue Saint-Dominique. I also found that these were some of the least crowded spots too.
When is the best time of day to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower?
There’s always a good time of day to take photos of the Eiffel Tower but different Eiffel Tower Photo Spots are better at different times of the day. The busiest spots are best tackled at sunrise. These are Trocadero, Avenue de Camoens, Rue de l’Université.
Weather factors will also have some effect on your photos, for example, you want to aim for a lovely sunny sunrise when at the Trocadero to get that lovely golden light coming in. However for street photography locations like Rue Saint- Dominique you’ll want to wait for a little cloudy or hazy day to avoid those harsh shadows in your photos.
Finally, opening hours will limit when you can arrive at spots for example at the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann rooftop you’ll need to wait until 10 am and the Carrousel de la Tour Eiffel won’t open until later in the day either.
In general, you’ll want to take your photos between sunrise at 10 am. For pictures of the flashing Eiffel Tower, you’ll need to wait until nighttime and when the lights get turned on on the hour.
Top Tips for Photographing the Eiffel Tower
↠ Paris is a really popular photo destination so you’ll really need to be patient when it comes to taking photos at the most popular spots. You’ll see wedding shoots, engagement shoots, family shoots and just about everything else so you might need to queue to take the shot that you want. A good way to avoid this is to come early.
↠ That brings me to my next point. If you want good photos in Paris you’ll need to get up early and if you’re visiting in summer, that means REALLY early. I’m talking at 4 am early. This way you beat the crowds and get the best morning light. The good news is that you can always come back for a nap later on in the day.
↠ Give yourself a good few days in Paris to get the best photos. This is always a good idea because you never know what the weather will be like or what other issues might get thrown your way during your trip, hello forgotten camera battery!
↠ Bring a variety of lenses. I personally used all my lenses at these different photo spots and a zoom lens is particularly handy at some of the far away spots like Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. If you have a wide-angle lens you can also take great photos from right under the Eiffel Tower.
Want to know more about the photography gear I use and what I used to take these photos? Read What’s In My Camera Bag? to find out more!
Ready to head to the best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots? Let me know your questions and comments below, I’d love to hear from you.
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