20 Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots in Paris (+ a Free map to Find Them)
Do you want to take some photos of the Eiffel Tower but you’re not sure where to go? This post will show you the best Eiffel Tower photo spots that will give you that star-stopping photo!
There is no doubt that the Eiffel Tower is the most photographed landmark in Paris and it’s not surprising to want to photograph it from various angles!
I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower countless times and every time I do, I still get that burning urge to photograph it — I could urge that I have thousands of Eiffel Tower pics and I am shamelessly still taking more any chance I get! It never gets old!
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But even with my Eiffel Tower obsession ( yes, my jaw drops every time I ”discover a new stunning Eiffel Tower photo spot), there are some Eiffel Tower photo spots that stand out for me to photograph the iron lady from the rest!
So whether you’re visiting Paris for the first time and looking for places to take beautiful pictures of the Eiffel Tower or you’re a seasoned traveler who’s in constant search for the Eiffel Tower best view, in this post, I will share with you my favorite spots to take pictures of the Eiffel tower in Paris.
And while you can get views of the Eiffel Tower from various places, this post is not about where to see the Iron Lady whereby even just seeing the summit is fulfilling, but it’s rather about places where you can take some of the best Eiffel Tower photos and capture it in its full glory!
But before we look at them, here are some of the Eiffel Tower photography tips to help you.
Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips
WHERE TO STAY
Best Eiffel Tower Views: Hôtel Le Walt (9.0)
Luxury stay: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel (8.2)
Mid-range stay: Hôtel Eiffel (8.7)
Budget Stay: People – Paris Bercy (8.9)
Apartment Rental: Résidence Charles Floquet (9.1)
BEST GUIDED TOURS
Louvre Museum guided tour: (4.5/5)
Seine River Dinner Cruise: (4.7/5)
Montmartre Walking Tour: (4.8/5)
Le Marais Walking Food Tour: (4.5/5)
Versailles Guided Tour: (4.8/5)
Eiffel Tower Guided Tour: (4.4/5)
Private Transfer from CDG Airport to Paris: (4.7/10)
MUST-DO EXPERIENCES HAPPENING NOW IN PARIS
Luminiscence at Saint-Eustache Church: A music and lighting show in one of Paris’s most beautiful churches: (4.7/10)
Candlelight show: Perfect if you want to be treated to a candlelit music show in a beautiful Parisian venue: (4.8/10)
Cabaret at Moulin Rouge: A cabaret in the iconic Moulin Rouge is a must: (4.7/10)
Eiffel Tower photography tips
Go at the right time
Plan to go early in the evening for a sunrise Eiffel Tower photo shoot or late in the evening for the sunset shoot.
You’ll get magnificent photos while still beating the crowds as most of these places receive very few people at those times.
Plan to walk a lot so wear comfortable shoes
Since most of the Eiffel Tower photo spots are not far from each other, the best way is to plan to see them on the same day especially if you just have a few days in Paris.
This means that you’ll walk a lot and the best way not to get worn out easily is by wearing comfortable walking shoes.
Pack the right essentials for the day
If the idea is to be outside for a number of hours, you’re better off carrying your day’s essentials. Below are a few things you should take with you.
- Extra batteries and memory card: These memory cards will work well since you’ll be taking lots of pictures.
- Re-usable Collapsible water bottle: Paris has a number of drinking water fountains so it’s better to take this reusable collapsible water bottle that you can just keep refilling instead of buying bottled water.
- A Power bank: If you plan to use your phone for some photos, your battery will run so take this portable power bank to stay connected all the time.
- Phone: Duh! There is no way you can forget it
- Anti-theft backpack: You’ll need such an anti-theft daypack to keep all your day’s travel items and since pickpockets are common, especially in crowded places, be sure that you can see it at all times. Also, do not randomly place it or any of your travel items on the ground without anyone watching them.
- You can also check out my complete Packing list for Paris to know exactly what to take.
Now that you know some of the Eiffel Tower photography tips, let’s look at the best Eiffel Tower photo spots not to miss.
The Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots
Read on to find out the best places for Eiffel Tower photos.
1. Trocadéro square
This is probably the most famous spot to go for an Eiffel Tower photo shoot and one of my favorite places actually. And since it is directly opposite the Eiffel Tower and a little bit raised, you’re bound to get the best view of the Eiffel Tower.
However, since it’s a popular Eiffel Tower Photo Spot, you can expect to find huge crowds and the best way to beat them is by either going early in the morning for a sunrise Eiffel Tower photo shoot or late in the evening at sunset.
At that time, the crowds will be fewer and you get to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at the most beautiful times of the day.
And a big plus about the Trocadéro is that you get to take photos of the Eiffel Tower from various angles and spots with the notable ones being the Staircase, the main Trocadéro square which creates a beautiful reflection if you visit at the right time, the Fountain of Warsaw which creates a magnificent backdrop of the Eiffel tower photos and not forgetting the Beautiful Trocadéro gardens which brings out the beautiful contrasting greenery in the Eiffel tower pic.
With all those features, it’s not hard to see why the Trocadéro is one of the most famous and best Eiffel Tower photo spots as you can get a variety of beautiful pictures of the Eiffel tower from just one spot.
Related post: Best hotels in Paris with the view of the Eiffel Tower
2. Champs De Mars
Want to get up close Eiffel Tower pictures, then head to Champs de Mars! It is a beautiful garden right next to the Eiffel Tower.
It might seem a bit small but it’s actually quite big and you can take Eiffel Tower photos from various angles. This spot is particularly more beautiful if you visit during springtime as it offers some of the best cherry blossoms in Paris.
Imagine a photo of the Eiffel Tower with beautiful pink flowers in it – it can’t get any prettier than this! Spring is actually my favorite season to photograph the Eiffel Tower at Champs de Mars.
However, even if you can’t visit Paris in springtime, any time of the year is a great time to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
And if you want to even take it a notch higher and get some of the best pictures of the Eiffel Tower, you can plan a picnic right at the footsteps of the Iron Lady at this gorgeous park.
Related post: What to wear in Paris in spring
3. Rue de l’Université
If you’re standing in front of the Eiffel Tower with the Champs de Mars behind you, just head left and you’ll find this popular Eiffel Tower photo spot, Rue de l’Université.
It’s one of the popular Instagram spots in Paris so you can be sure to find people here, and if it’s not that, you’ll find cars parked so you’ll just have to find a way to take pics of the Eiffel Tower at the right moment to miss the cars or the people.
What makes this street popular and beautiful is that you get incredible views of the Eiffel Tower, together with a cobblestoned street and the typical Parisian architecture in one photo.
In my opinion, it’s the perfect place to get the best pictures of the Eiffel Tower. However, be sure to go to the exact spot as this street is quite big (the 10th longest in Paris to be exact), so if you’re not keen enough, you might end up in the wrong spot.
So to make sure that you go to the Eiffel Tower photoshoot spot, I’ve included an interactive map in this post; you just need to click on it and you’ll know where exactly to go.
Related post: 12 Luxury vacation rentals in Paris
4. Passerelle Debilly
One of the beautiful Eiffel Tower Photo spots is the Passerelle Debilly! This bridge that connects pedestrians from one side of the Seine to the other – from Quai de New York to the Quai Branly is the perfect spot if you want to take Eiffel Tower pictures with the Seine River in them.
With the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, the love locks, and the bridge in one frame, you’re guaranteed to have a spectacular Eiffel Tower pic.
Related post: Where to get the best views of Paris
5. Square Rapp
If you love taking street photos of the Eiffel Tower, then you’ll love Square Rapp. It is a hidden gem off Avenue Rapp in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.
The square overlooks the Eiffel Tower and various Haussmannian architecture-style buildings creating a beautiful Parisian charm and a one-of-a-kind Eiffel Tower photo op.
And, unlike other Eiffel Tower photo spots, Square Rapp is still unknown to many or others just ignore it, which means that you can take countless photos and take in this Eiffel Tower street view without the crowds.
And while in this spot, don’t just stop at taking pics of the Eiffel Tower, take some time to walk down the entire Avenue Rapp and you’ll be treated to secret but beautiful places in Paris you didn’t think existed right in the heart of the capital; like the Lavirotte Building and its controversial doorway known as the “door of Avenue Rapp” and other Haussmann buildings.
This to me is the best street for Eiffel Tower photos!
Related post: 14 Budget-friendly vacation apartments to rent in Paris
6. Montparnasse Tower
Sometimes capturing the Eiffel Tower means going to one of the tallest buildings in Paris and Montparnasse Tower is the perfect spot.
With it being directly opposite the Eiffel Tower, you get unobstructed views which means that the Eiffel Tower pics will come out perfectly well with the iron lady protruding through Paris’ rooftops.
You can go to Montparnasse Tower at any time but in my opinion, the best time to go is at sunset to be able to capture the iron lady with the backdrop of a beautiful sunset.
Unlike other Eiffel Tower photo spots, you’ll need to pay to access the Montparnasse Tower rooftop but the stunning Eiffel Tower views you get are worth the price.
And to make sure that you skip the Paris long lines at Montparnasse Tower, grab yourself this skip-the-line entry ticket.
7. Rue St. Dominique
Famous for being one of the best shopping streets in Paris, Rue St. Dominique in the 7th arrondissement also never disappoints when it comes to being a perfect Eiffel Tower photo shoot spot.
With the view of the Eiffel Tower “embroidered” right in the middle of the street with various cafes and partisan buildings beside it, you can be sure you’ll get the perfect Eiffel Tower street photo.
And when you finish capturing that perfect Eiffel Tower photo, don’t be in a rush to leave yet as there are lots of things to do on this charming street.
From indulging yourself with famous Parisian pastries from the many bakeries, eating your heart out at the cute cafes in the area, or shopping until you drop from the many stores.
Regardless of what fills your heart, you’ll find something to do while on your Eiffel Tower photography journey in the area.
8. Seine River
From all the Eiffel Tower photo spots mentioned here, I think the Seine River is the best. I know I keep saying that at almost every spot but there is something about the Seine that brings out the magic and beauty of the Eiffel Tower.
Actually, there is not one specific spot to take photos of the Eiffel Tower from the Seine but rather a variety. So all you have to do is look for a place along the Seine but also near the Trocadero and you’ll be able to capture the Iron Lady clearly.
Other spots at the Seine you can go to photograph the Eiffel Tower include; Pont Alexandre III, Pont Neuf, or even on a Seine River cruise.
The big plus about taking the river cruise is that you’ll get to see the Eiffel Tower from different angles hence taking various photos.
You can take pics of the Eiffel Tower from the Seine at any time but I recommend going at night as you’ll be able to capture the Eiffel Tower with the reflection of the shimmering lights on the water which creates such a magical sight and photo op.
Pro tip* If you choose to go for a Seine cruise, I recommend taking this one if you prefer a day-time cruise but if you prefer photographing the Eiffel Tower as it shimmers at the top of the hour, I recommend taking this Seine river dinner cruise for an absolutely great time.
9. Pont de Bir Hakeim
Another bridge in Paris where you can take stunning photos of the Eiffel Tower is the Pont de Bir Hakeim. The bridge crosses the Seine connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements.
Its prime location opposite the tower and its design with the steel columns next to it and lanterns in between make for a perfect photo spot of the Eiffel Tower.
While it’s not an incredibly busy bridge like some others, it’s an actual operational bridge with cars and pedestrians.
So while taking that perfectly framed Eiffel Tower pic, be on the lookout not to cause an accident! Being one of the best Eiffel Tower photoshoot ideas, it’s not uncommon to find wedding shoots going on here.
10. Pont d’Iéna
Probably the most famous spot to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night or even at sunset. With just a few steps from the Trocadéro, Pont De’lena is the easiest way to connect to the Eiffel Tower from both sides of the Seine – the left and right banks.
At this spot, you’ll literally look like you’re taking photos from under the Eiffel Tower which is quite a unique shot compared to ones taken from other places — something that makes Pont De’lena a really special Eiffel Tower photo spot.
Related post: Best things to do in Paris at night
11. Avenue de Camoens
If you’re looking for hidden or less crowded Eiffel Tower photo spots, then look no further than Avenue de Camoens in the 16th Arrondissement.
Since it is located at the top of a staircase, not so many people know about it which means that you’ll be able to take countless photos of the Eiffel Tower without feeling like you’re “hogging” the place.
With the staircase and beautiful Parisian buildings in the background, this place makes for a perfect Eiffel Tower photoshoot spot.
12. Rue de Monttessuy
If you’re like me who can’t get enough of street photos of the Eiffel Tower, then add Rue de Monttessuy in the 7th arrondissement to your Parisian bucket list.
Unlike other places that give that old Parisian charm, this spot has some newer buildings so it will be nice to have a little bit of contrast between the Eiffel Tower and the newer angle of Paris.
13. Galeries Lafayette Rooftop
Another place to take a stunning photo of the Eiffel Tower in Paris is the Galeries Lafayette Rooftop. This Parisian department store may be famous for shopping since it houses luxurious brands but its terrace offers stunning views of the Eiffel Tower.
Unlike other Eiffel Tower photo spots on this list, from here, you can see other popular attractions like the Paris Opera and not forgetting the stunning Paris roofs.
14. Arc de Triomphe observation deck is one of the Eiffel Tower Best Photo Spots
One of my all-time favorite spots to take photos of the Eiffel Tower is the Observation deck of the Arc de Triomphe!
What makes this spot perfect is that it’s not too high so you get to see everything clearly instead of seeing small items below. Besides the view of the Eiffel Tower, you also get to see how 12 roads diverge from the Arc.
Stunning and beautiful, this is one of the best places to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
However, since you need to climb the Arc, you’ll need to buy this skip-the-line ticket to avoid wasting time in queues.
15. From The Top Of Sacré Coeur
Being on the highest place in Paris, Sacré Coeur offers an opportunity to photograph the Eiffel Tower without any obstructions.
From here, you get a stunning view of the entire city too! I recommend going there at sunset to see the entire city covered in beautiful yellow-orange-hued colors.
You should note that you’ll need to climb the 300 steps here as there is no elevator and you’ll pay a small fee to climb to the dome even though visiting the church itself is free.
16. From Pont Alexandre III
Pont Alexandre III is my favorite bridge in Paris! Besides being beautifully made with golden statues and street lamps, it’s one of the places to take the best photos of Eiffel Tower.
With the beautiful bridge, the Seine, and the Iron Lady in one frame, this is truly one of the best Eiffel Tower picture ideas.
17. From Various Paris Hotels
While this may not be for everyone since hotels with Eiffel Tower views come with a huge price tag but if budget is not a problem, you may consider staying at one of those hotels.
Some of the hotels to stay at to be able to take stunning photos of the Eiffel Tower include; Shangri-La Paris hotel in the 16th Arrondissement, Hôtel Eiffel Petit Louvre in the 15th, Hotel Le Meurice in the 1st Arrondissement, and many others.
18. From Pont Neuf
Pont Neuf is not only one of the beautiful bridges of Paris but also the best spot to take Eiffel Tower pictures.
While you can go any time, I recommend going at sunset to enjoy a colorful and beautiful sunset with the Eiffel Tower and another bridge in the background!
19. From île aux Cygnes
Many people may not know this but Paris has 3 islands! The 2 natural ones, île Saint-Louis and île de la Cité, and the artificial one called île aux Cygnes in the 15th arrondissement which we’re talking about now.
île aux Cygnes is famous for having the most famous and biggest replica of the Statue of Liberty in Paris but besides this, it’s also one of the best Eiffel Tower photo spots.
Unlike other places we’ve looked at before, this one is a little bit less known for those looking for Paris hidden gems.
20. From Rue Le Tasse
Still looking for where to take the best pictures of the Eiffel Tower? Then head to Rue Le Tasse.
While most people flock to Rue de l’Université making it packed almost all the time, one street that equally gives the same Eiffel Tower photo opportunities is Rue Le Tasse in the 16th arrondissement.
So if you’re looking for Eiffel Tower photo ideas where you won’t “fight” for a spot with other Instagrammers, check this one out.
FAQs. About Eiffel Tower Photo Spots
Is it illegal to take a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower
No, it’s not illegal at all to take a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower so don’t be afraid to take as many as you want/ can.
Where can I go to shoot the Eiffel Tower?
There are so many places to go to shoot the Eiffel Tower as mentioned in this article. But to get the exact locations, check the interactive map added in this article.
But if you’re looking for a summary of the Eiffel Tower photo spots, they are; Trocadéro, Champs De Mars, Rue de l’Université, Passerelle Debilly, Square Rapp, Montparnasse Tower, Rue St. Dominique, Seine River, Pont de Bir Hakeim, Pont De’lena, Avenue de Camoens, and Rue de Monttessuy.
Why can’t you take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night
This is not true as you can take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night and share them on your social media as you please.
While it’s ok for “ordinary use”, it’s not the case for professional use. The Eiffel Tower’s lighting and sparkling lights are protected by copyright which means that professional use of the photos of the Eiffel Tower at night requires prior authorization from Eiffel Tower’s management and may be subjected to a fee.
What is the best place for Eiffel Tower Picture?
If you’re one of the people that ask what is the best place to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower. Then the answer is it depends! It depends on the background or angle you prefer as a person.
Do you prefer a greenery background, then the best place for Eiffel Tower Picture would be Champs de Mars, do you like the reflection of the water in it, then the Seine is the best place to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower.
Do you prefer street Eiffel Tower photos, then head to either Rue de l’Université or Rue St. Dominique. But if you want your Eiffel Tower photos to have a bridge in them, then the best place where to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower in Paris would be either Pont de Bir Hakeim or Pont De’len. So as you can see, it varies from person to person depending on their taste.
But I hope that this breakdown helps you choose the best place to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
Map of the Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots
How to Use this Map: Just click on the Camera icon on the map above and the location will be displayed on the left side of the screen.
You can choose to either “view on google maps” and save the location for later or you can click on the itinerary arrow to get directions on how to get there.
Final Thoughts on the Best Eiffel tower picture spots
There you have it, friends! I hope that this post helps you find all the Eiffel Tower photo spots in Paris as it’s one thing you can’t miss in the city of love.
And the best part is that these spots are not so far from each other which means that you can literally see all of them in one day to have various Eiffel Tower pictures. But be careful as you might end up with a thousand pictures.
Have you been to any of these spots to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower? What was your favorite spot? Let me know in the comments below.
And if you’re visiting Paris for the first time, I hope that you get to enjoy these Eiffel Tower photo spots as much as I did.
Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris
- What to do in Paris at night
- Where to find the best views of Paris
- Big mistakes to avoid in Paris
- What to Pack for Paris
- Skip the line tickets for Paris’ popular attractions
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Hi. Thank you for your advice. I´ll be travelling to Paris in june, and I was wondering how do you take photos of your own in this beautiful places. Do you have a tripod or something like that? Thanks!
Hi María, I am so excited for you that you’re coming here in June and I am glad you found the article helpful.
Well, I usually go with a friend (s) and we take pictures of ourselves but a tripod is a good idea if you’re traveling alone!
Hello ! We’ll be traveling to Paris in December and I’d love to get a Christmas photo w/the Eiffel Tower. Do you have a recommendation? Thank you!
Hi Pamela,
I would recommend Champs de Mars, the park where the Eiffel Tower seats.