Whether you’re an aspiring influencer or you just want the most striking backdrops for your next round of Paris happy snaps, pop the following addresses on your itinerary. And for the most Instagrammable photos, of course, don’t forget the Paris-approved props: a cute bag or bright beret, a serious-looking book, a delicious picnic, a bouquet of blooms, even a cluster of colourful balloons …
Palais-Royal
The melancholy, antiquated arcades and gorgeous garden — with its contrast of clipped lindens and rambling flower beds — lend themselves beautifully to romantic and moody shots.
Les Colonnes de Buren
Just south of the Palais-Royal garden you’ll find a courtyard filled with artist Daniel Buren’s black-and-white-striped columns, which are perfect plinths for fun family shots. Get here right on 8am if you want a few minutes of the space to yourself.
Avenue des Camoëns
You’ll also need to get here early to avoid the selfie-seeking crowd.
Place du Trocadéro
Ditto for this popular square, located across the river from the Eiffel Tower. You’ll also be able to nab some fabulous shots on the stairs that descend from here.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Every bridge in Paris is deserving of a photo or ten, but make sure to venture west, just past the Eiffel Tower, for this stunner of a crossing, which adapts to all sorts of creative imagery.
Rue de l’Université
The very western end of Rue de l’Université offers another tower view that’s a favourite with Instagrammers. (For other ways to see and photograph the Iron Lady, click here.)
Arc de Triomphe
Another monument that should be ticked off the photo list at some stage. Go early in the morning, ideally on a weekend, for the calmest, cleanest results.
7 Rue de Médicis
In a city of grand entrances, this cornflower-blue door is one of the most beautiful. And it’s just across from the Jardin du Luxembourg in case you want to get a shot on …
A Green Garden Chair
The garden chairs you find scattered around the Luxembourg and Tuileries Gardens can be easily moved here and there so you can put your sunniest face forward.
En Terrasse
Or you could ease into a chair at any café — just make sure, for the most à-la-parisienne effect, that it’s rattan and on a footpath terrace. Add coffee, book and furrowed brow and you’ll look right at home!
By the Seine for a Picnic
You might feel a little clichéd setting up your spread of bread, cheese, strawberries, rosé and peonies — but the results can be spectacular, especially if you’re by the Seine at sunset.
The Bouquinistes
Another requiste riverside shot. Make sure to have an olde-worlde wistful air about you!
Petit Palais
This golden fairytale door must be seen — and snapped — to be believed. If you’d prefer the gate closed and thus appearing in all its glittering glory, come well before the museum’s 10am opening.
La Maison Rose
Montmartre offers up all kinds of photo-shoot-ready loveliness. While you’re winding your way around the quaint cobbled streets, make sure to stop by this iconic restaurant, preferably early in the morning, on a weekend.
A Window with a View
If you’ve always wondered how to do one of those ‘Oh-I-just-woke-up-in-this-perfect-Paris-apartment-with-a-view’ photos, book yourself a room at Tinah Paris — and don’t forget the pretty pair of pyjamas
