Guidebook for San Francisco
Sightseeing
It’s like a mini Notting Hill with small, atypical houses painted a rainbow of colors. You have pink and green and blue and yellow, and some of them even have murals of birds or flowers.
This is a great place to take a portrait. No matter what the subject wears, he or she will blend in with the houses, which makes a clever photograph.
30 recommandé par les habitants
Rue Crémieux
Rue CrémieuxIt’s like a mini Notting Hill with small, atypical houses painted a rainbow of colors. You have pink and green and blue and yellow, and some of them even have murals of birds or flowers.
This is a great place to take a portrait. No matter what the subject wears, he or she will blend in with the houses, which makes a clever photograph.
Not many Parisians know about this picturesque street in the 19th arrondissement. The district between metro Pré-Saint-Gervais and Botzaris looks like a movie set, with old houses that have quaint flower boxes. It’s quiet and ideal for making photos reminiscent of Parisian times gone by!
In autumn and spring, colorful leaves and flowers accent the exterior walls of the houses.
60 recommandé par les habitants
Rue de Mouzaïa
Rue de MouzaïaNot many Parisians know about this picturesque street in the 19th arrondissement. The district between metro Pré-Saint-Gervais and Botzaris looks like a movie set, with old houses that have quaint flower boxes. It’s quiet and ideal for making photos reminiscent of Parisian times gone by!
In autumn and spring, colorful leaves and flowers accent the exterior walls of the houses.
This park and former palace is directly across the river from the Eiffel Tower, so you get a classic straight-on view. This also means there are a lot of tourists, but it’s still a timeless shot worth getting.
At sunrise, when it’s quiet and the only people there are other photographers shooting couples or families.
230 recommandé par les habitants
Place du Trocadero-et-du-11-Novembre
Place du Trocadéro et du 11 NovembreThis park and former palace is directly across the river from the Eiffel Tower, so you get a classic straight-on view. This also means there are a lot of tourists, but it’s still a timeless shot worth getting.
At sunrise, when it’s quiet and the only people there are other photographers shooting couples or families.
Not far from Trocadéro, this little square and garden where the rich people live present an interesting point of view of the Eiffel Tower between some very large art nouveau buildings.
The unique facade at 29 avenue Rapp is done in typical art nouveau style. People come just to see the door, but it’s worth looking up at all of the ornate and intricate details.
Square Rapp
Square RappNot far from Trocadéro, this little square and garden where the rich people live present an interesting point of view of the Eiffel Tower between some very large art nouveau buildings.
The unique facade at 29 avenue Rapp is done in typical art nouveau style. People come just to see the door, but it’s worth looking up at all of the ornate and intricate details.
The Montparnasse Tower distorts the Parisian landscape, which is why its observation deck is the best place for seeing an unobstructed aerial view of Paris: The tower is absent from the frame because you are on it! It’s a little expensive to go up, but the view is unbeatable.
Go an hour before sunset and spend two hours making three types of pictures: day, sunset, and night!
596 recommandé par les habitants
Montparnasse Tower
33 Av. du MaineThe Montparnasse Tower distorts the Parisian landscape, which is why its observation deck is the best place for seeing an unobstructed aerial view of Paris: The tower is absent from the frame because you are on it! It’s a little expensive to go up, but the view is unbeatable.
Go an hour before sunset and spend two hours making three types of pictures: day, sunset, and night!
The view of Notre Dame from the back is remarkable from under the Pont de la Tournelle, on the Rive Gauche, the left side of the river bank. This spot is also ideal for taking photos of couples walking along the river.
After the rain. Or, if it’s sunny, bring a bottle of water to empty onto the street—it’s possible to get an incredible reflection under the bridge, which gives the effect of a tube around the back of Notre Dame.
14 recommandé par les habitants
Quai de la Tournelle
Quai de la TournelleThe view of Notre Dame from the back is remarkable from under the Pont de la Tournelle, on the Rive Gauche, the left side of the river bank. This spot is also ideal for taking photos of couples walking along the river.
After the rain. Or, if it’s sunny, bring a bottle of water to empty onto the street—it’s possible to get an incredible reflection under the bridge, which gives the effect of a tube around the back of Notre Dame.
All the big photographers know about this terrace on top of one of the biggest department stores in Paris. There’s a 360-degree view of Paris, and it’s free! You have an uninterrupted view of the Eiffel Tower on one side and Sacré-Coeur on the other.
The best time of year to visit is late November, early December, when the sun sets behind the Eiffel Tower. At night, bring a tripod for long exposures. There’s a lot of traffic down below to create light trails.
The Printemps Rooftop Terrace
64 Boulevard HaussmannAll the big photographers know about this terrace on top of one of the biggest department stores in Paris. There’s a 360-degree view of Paris, and it’s free! You have an uninterrupted view of the Eiffel Tower on one side and Sacré-Coeur on the other.
The best time of year to visit is late November, early December, when the sun sets behind the Eiffel Tower. At night, bring a tripod for long exposures. There’s a lot of traffic down below to create light trails.
Arts & Culture
Between the pyramid and the architecture of the museum, the Louvre is one of my favorite places in Paris. When I look at the details of the facade, it’s incredible to imagine it was built hundreds of years ago. And the pyramid creates a great contrast between the old and the modern.
During the day, stop at the fountains and bring your camera close to the water to capture a magnificent reflection of the pyramid, as well as the facade of the Louvre. Better yet, go very early in the morning or late at night to have fewer people in the photos.
4022 recommandé par les habitants
Louvre Museum
Rue de RivoliBetween the pyramid and the architecture of the museum, the Louvre is one of my favorite places in Paris. When I look at the details of the facade, it’s incredible to imagine it was built hundreds of years ago. And the pyramid creates a great contrast between the old and the modern.
During the day, stop at the fountains and bring your camera close to the water to capture a magnificent reflection of the pyramid, as well as the facade of the Louvre. Better yet, go very early in the morning or late at night to have fewer people in the photos.
It’s the most beautiful Gothic church in Europe, with sublime architecture and colors. The ceiling and stained-glass windows, in particular, are real works of art. I still have the same reaction every time I go: “Just wow!” For a few seconds I can’t take pictures. I just have to look around.
Bring a wide-angle lens for interior photos, and arrive 20 minutes before the opening so that once the church opens, you can go directly upstairs. Usually, people stay on the first floor when they enter, but the view one floor up is amazing and being there first is priceless!
331 recommandé par les habitants
Sainte-Chapelle
10 Bd du PalaisIt’s the most beautiful Gothic church in Europe, with sublime architecture and colors. The ceiling and stained-glass windows, in particular, are real works of art. I still have the same reaction every time I go: “Just wow!” For a few seconds I can’t take pictures. I just have to look around.
Bring a wide-angle lens for interior photos, and arrive 20 minutes before the opening so that once the church opens, you can go directly upstairs. Usually, people stay on the first floor when they enter, but the view one floor up is amazing and being there first is priceless!