Top 5 Photo Opportunities in Paris
Everywhere you look in Paris you will see an opportunity for fantastic photography. But it isn’t always easy to compose an image that you won’t be able to find on a postcard at the nearest souvenir shop. Look at some of the most famous landmarks in Paris with an eye for artistry and you’ll see opportunities for a unique shot in most situations.
Everyone takes a picture of the Eiffel Tower, but consider making stops in these other famous locales for a quick photo-shoot of the architecture, the history, the people and the landscapes on this list so you can capture Paris from your own point of view.
Ile de la Cite
Ile de le Cite is where Notre Dame lives and where the Seine is split in two. A small island in the middle of the river that runs through the middle of Paris, Ile de la Cite is a superb location to capture a unique angle on a city that seemingly has no new angles. On a pleasant day you will find people lounging on the point of the island, reading, sun-bathing or just hanging out. As you travel through Ile de la Cite, you’ll have a hard time remembering you are in fact on an island. Frame your photo just right and you’ll capture the soaring towers of Notre Dame along with the River Seine and the North Bank of Paris—three monuments, one photo!
Towers of Notre Dame
Speaking of the Towers of Notre Dame, they are an amazing opportunity to show off your photography prowess while capturing an historic landmark. The towers reach towards the sky and you’ll always find people sitting and looking up at the majestic matching towers. Aim your camera their direction and you’ll notice the detail and small intricacies that make up Notre Dame. Focus on the details, the gargoyles, or the entrance and be treated to a unique view on this famous structure. Or go inside the Cathedral and capture the breath-taking aura and colours that permeate the space. Filled with stained glass, and soaring ceilings, the inside of Notre Dame is just as astounding as its exterior.
The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur
If you love taking photos of contrasting colours, landscapes of cities and portraits, then come to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur. The stunningly white Basilica provides a sharp contrast to the bright blue skies and is a beacon to people from all around. As the highest point in Paris, it is also a fantastic location to come to for a panoramic of the city that is hard to pass up. On a clear day you will be able to see for miles around.
If you prefer portraiture, look no farther. At the Sacré-Cœur you will never be lacking in people to photograph. The wide expanse of stairs at the front of the Basilica are a favourite location to relax and spend a lazy afternoon while overlooking the City of Love and more often than not, photography is welcomed by all in attendance.
Louvre
While the museum itself doesn’t allow photography within its halls, the exterior of this museum is unlike any other and is worth the time to set up. The entrance is made of a massive glass pyramid with two smaller glass pyramids flanking it. Each pyramid is surrounded by a shallow reflection pool that mirrors the pyramids in its waters as the pyramids light up at dusk. Plus, all of this is located within a courtyard of one of the grandest examples of French architecture in the city—the Louvre Palace. A mix of modern design with 12th century architecture, the Louvre is a superb location for photography in Paris.
Bouquinistes Along the Seine
The Seine is the major river in Paris that keeps the city alive to this day. A trading post, a transportation route, and a constant in Paris landscapes, the Seine is an important part of the city to capture on film. But for a new twist on a common photo, you can capture much more than the river. Along the banks of the Seine, especially close to Ile de la Cite, there are bouquinistes that pop up every morning through mid-afternoon. These green metal enclosures allow local vendors to sell their trade—typically books, posters, postcards and well-known French prints.
Each bouquiniste is unique and offers a different experience. Each person who runs the stands has a different personality, too. While some won’t utter a word during an exchange, others are lively, energetic and want to interact with you and learn about your travels. There are superb opportunities for portraiture and a firsthand experience with Parisian culture as your peruse the bouquinistes along the Seine in Paris.
Everywhere you look in Paris, there will be monuments and amazing sights that you will want to snap pictures of. As you tour the City of Lights, be sure to have your camera on hand at all times to catch that fleeting moment or image that will forever remind you of your time in Paris. And be sure to protect your technology with a tailored-to-you travel insurance plan from Cover-More Australia.
Images courtesy of Flickr users Jeanne Menj, Sean MacEntee; cropped from original, Sean MacEntee; cropped from original, Nicolas Etienne; cropped from original and Nicole Brown; cropped from original.