Paris will always be one of my favorite European cities, and because of that, I have already been 3 times and counting. As a photographer, you know I am seeking out the best Eiffel Tower photo spots.
So that is exactly what you will find below, 10+ photo spots. I’m also including a map to help you capture beautiful photos and photography tips for each spot! The Eiffel Tower is located in the 7th arrondissement, but we will be exploring all around the city with different viewpoints, so have comfortable walking shoes with you.
How to use the map: If you are on desktop, you will want to hit the star to save the map or hit the little share button on the top right to email it to yourself. On mobile, you can hit the brackets on the top right to open it in your Google Maps, but it will still be better to hit the share button and email it to yourself to review later.
On the Eiffel Tower
I never see anyone talking about taking photos on the Eiffel Tower, but you can actually get some pretty cool photos! It does require you to get a ticket to go up, but I think it’s worth it if this is your first time. I highly recommend getting lift tickets and they should be purchased 6 weeks in advance! We did the summit, but you don’t need to for the photo.
To get this photo, you stand on the 3rd deck while your photographer stays on the stairs for the 2nd deck.
First time in Paris: Here are all my top Paris tips for visiting!
Travel Tip: Please be careful of pickpockets around here and other major monuments. Ignore anyone with clipboards trying to get you to sign a petition, guys giving away “free bracelets,” and the person moving the cups around. It’s all scams.
Under the Eiffel Tower
Another great place to take photos with the Eiffel Tower is right underneath it. You can actually enter inside the complex for free. With a wide-angle lens, you can capture the length of the tower, although it might look just a little distorted. You can also get pretty photos and videos at the surrounding garden and pond!
Additionally, if you don’t want to wait to enter the complex and go through security, you can take photos right on the street, but this will be at your own risk! You will see tons of people lining up right on Pont d’Iéna Bridge. I recommend coming early if you want photos here with less traffic.
Rue de’l Université
This spot is located right to the side of the Eiffel Tower, so it’s pretty close up, and an incredible photo spot if you get here early. Because it is an extremely popular spot to take photos, you will definitely find crowds if you’re not here in the morning.
We showed up midday, and it was packed, so I couldn’t get a good photo.
Photo tip: A wide-angle lens works best here, and if you plan to wake up for sunrise, I would recommend Trocadero first.
Trocadero
This is probably one of my favorite Eiffel Tower photo spots. This is because there are so many places to take photos at any time of the day.
The gardens in the spring and summer offer beautiful cherry blossoms and rose photos.
The walk up and down the stairs is another iconic shot.
From the top of Trocadero with the fun floor pattern is one of the most iconic shots, but you have to get here at sunrise if you don’t want people.
Alternatively, if you go to the right, you can stand off to the wall or stairs during the day and still get photos without people in. You just have to point the camera angle up a little.
Photo Tip: 2024 might have construction up for the Olympics. ALSO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS OF PICKPOCKETS IN THIS AREA.
Port Debilly
If you were looking for one photo or video with the tower all lit up and even sparkling, Port Debilly is where you want to be! It is located across the Seine just below Pont d’Iéna Bridge. Not too many people are walking down here, so you won’t be fighting the crowds. Plus, it’s a great way to spend the night in Paris.
For the Eiffel Tower sparkle, you need to come at the beginning of the hour after dusk. It sparkles for 5 minutes, and if you miss it, you will have to wait for the next hour. The tower is triggered once the sun goes down, so just check what time the sun is setting. It will stay illuminated until 11:45 PM, so the last twinkle is at 11 PM.
Tip: We took the metro here, but an Uber back. Ubers were abundant and around 15 euros to bring us to St. Germain.
Rue St. Dominique (Le Recrutement)
For a really fun Parisian photo, grab a baguette and walk fiercely across the crosswalk with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Rue St. Dominique and Bd de la Tour-Maubourg are the cross-streets, but it is must easier putting in Le Recrutement to your GPS. Plus, this pretty red Brasserie looks great in the background.
Photo Tip: Because this is a busy street, you will want to get here early.
Bir Hakeim Bridge
What I love about taking photos at Bir Hakeim Bridge is that you don’t have to get here at the crack of dawn to get a good photo! We got here around 2 PM with no issues. Oh, and the bridge has really unique architecture, making it really Instagrammable all on its own.
While daytime photos would be best here, you can also get cool nighttime videos with Lady Iron lit up. Just be cautious of the bike lane! You will hear them ringing the bell. I used a 24-70 mm lens here, but a 15-35mm would have been preferred. My iPhone also took good photos here.
Avenue de Camoens
Not too far from Bir Hakeim Bridge is Avenue de Camoens. We walked about 10 minutes. It is a bit uphill, making for a unique perspective of the Eiffel Tower, which I love. And while this spot is more popular, we visited midday and didn’t really have any problems getting photos here.
You can have fun and get creative by sitting on the ledge and going down the stairs.
Seine River
It comes as no surprise that the River Sine can offer some wonderful photo opportunities of the tower. From the ledge right by the Eiffel Tower to Avenue de New York, you have so many options. For something really cute, you can consider setting up a picnic at the bank.
Photo tip: They may close off the bank access during the Olympics.
Not only is Pont Alexandre III considered one of the most beautiful bridges in all of Paris with its gilded design, but it also offers some great views with the Tower in the background since it is pretty close to the tower.
Pont Alexandre III
For special photos, consider coming at sunrise or sunset and a wide angle will work best here if you want the whole tower in the photo.
Champ de Mars
Located right behind the Eiffel Tower, it only makes sense that it’s a great photo spot of the Iron Lady. This area will be more filled with people. Even if you can’t get your own picture-perfect photo, having a picnic here among everyone else can still make for a great memory.
Tip: Around sunset, people will come around selling champagne.
Arc de Triomphe
It’s believed that the best view of the Eiffel Tower comes from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, and I can agree it is excellent, but I do have another favorite (sharing below). Getting to the top of this historic monument will cost you a little over 17 euros and you’ll need a timed ticket.
Once you climb a little over 200 stairs to the top, you will be greeted with great views of the Iron Lady. If you are in search of just great views and photos of the tower itself, this is a good spot.
However, if you want photos with you in them, this spot is not as great because of the metal bars. However, I have included Arc de Triomphe in my Paris Instagram guide because it still offers some incredible photos, all on its own from the bottom!
Galeries Lafayette Rooftop
Free views that result in great views of the tower are what I aim for and that can be accomplished at the Galeries Lafayette Rooftop. Not only is this shopping mall droolworthy with its decadent design, but its free access rooftop offers great views of the city and the tower.
Even with a lot of people, you can still get a pretty good photo of yourself with the Eiffel Tower in the background. It will just be small in comparison to some of the other spots. If you’re visiting during the holidays, don’t miss this spot for decorations.
Tip: To get to the top, I recommend taking the escalators!
Montparnasse Tower
Last but not least is the Montparnasse Tower. This is a paid attraction (~20 euros) that will bring you a towering 56 floors up. If you are looking for that bird’s eye view, this is where you will achieve it. For close-ups, though, make sure to have a zoom lens because this will be the furthest viewpoint from the tower.
If a super Instagram-worthy photo is your goal, I would probably skip this one since you have to pay, and the view is far. You can be the judge with the photo below.
Eiffel Tower Photo Spots Wrap-up
There you have it, some of the best places to take photos with the Eiffel Tower! Your social media feed is bound to be blowing up! And for more inspiration, you can find my Paris highlight bubbles on Instagram.
If you have any questions about this post, or if you know a great spot I left out, make sure to let me know in the comments below!
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