Did you even go to Paris if you didn’t get at least one photo of the Eiffel Tower? But where can you go to get some of those iconic photos you see all over social media? The ones without the crowds and full Eiffel Tower views that are worthy enough to hang in your home (or post to your own social media channels). In this post, we’re sharing 8 of the best Eiffel Tower photo spots in Paris to capture iconic photos to remember your trip by.
Trying to figure out how to combine Paris with other western Europe capital cities? Check out our 9 day itinerary for Paris, Amsterdam, and London to see how we made the most of our time on our last whirlwind trip to Europe.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this guide for Eiffel Tower Photo Spots are affiliate links. That means at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission from your purchase which will go toward bringing you more travel tips, tricks, and tidbits.
1. Place Du Trocadéro
If you book an Eiffel Tower photo shoot, chances are, this will be one of the first stops you make. I booked a mother-daughter photo shoot for our trip to Paris, and this was actually the meeting point! Logistically this makes for a good starting point, as you can easily walk downhill from here to several of the other photo spots on this list.
Place Du Trocadéro has a spacious elevated platform that gives you a wide panoramic shot of the Eiffel Tower and the gardens that surround it. One of the benefits to it being so spacious is that it doesn’t matter if there are several other people there trying to get their own iconic Eiffel Tower photos. There’s enough space for everyone to get the perfect shot, which is why it ranks #1 on our list of Eiffel Tower photo spots.
We recommend getting there early in the morning though, as it can get crowded as the day goes on. For reference, we snapped the above photo at around 8am.
2. Jardins Du Trocadéro
Remember those gardens you saw at photo spot #1? They make for a great location to get some additional photos of the Eiffel Tower with greenery in the foreground.
The gardens were created for the 1937 Universal Exhibition and offer unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower. At the center of the gardens is the famous Warsaw Fountain that has 20 geysers shooting water into the air and gilded statues dotted around it. On summer evenings, the fountain is lit up (along with the Eiffel Tower of course!) making it even more beautiful.
One of Kayla’s favorite shots from her mother-daughter photo shoot in Paris is sitting with her daughter in front of one of the garden’s pools, and you can see the Eiffel Tower in the background and reflected in the pool.
3. Voie Georges Pompidou
The Pont d’léna is a bridge that connects the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadéro area. Right beside it, is Voie Georges Pompidou – a tree lined street that overlooks the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
The concrete walls that line the street are great for perching on to get shots of the Seine and Eiffel Tower in the background! It is a busy street though, so be sure to keep out of the way of cars and bicyclists as you get your photos. This is just the start of fab Eiffel Tower photo spots in this area!
4. Port Debilly
This picturesque quay runs below Voie Georges Pompidou. It allows you to walk right at the water’s edge of the Seine with the Eiffel Tower taking up most of the background. Boats bob peacefully in the water, and it just makes for an absolutely lovely walk!
There is pedestrian access to this area via a set of stairs that is right beside the Pont d’léna. Port Debilly is an active docking area for boats, so be aware that there may be ropes or chains on the cobbled bank and there are no guardrails keeping you from tumbling into the Seine. Please be aware of your surroundings and your children’s whereabouts if you decide to pop down for some pics!
5. Pont De Bir-Hakem
This bridge is right by Port Debilly so the two can easily be combined. Walk along the bridge for candid shots that include the bridge’s architecture. Getting the columns of the bridge and its ornate light fixtures make for some lovely shots! You can walk along the edge that overlooks the water or walk in the covered median area if you want to get some unique angles that capture more of the bridge’s architecture.
You should also be sure to sit in the alcove with the La France Renaissante sculpture for a more relaxed photo that captures the Seine and upper most portions of the Eiffel Tower. This Eiffel Tower photo spot won’t get the full length of the Eiffel Tower, as the lower half will likely be obscured by the trees and boats on the Seine. But it makes for a stunning photo nonetheless, and really captures the Parisian vibes with the Seine and its boats so prominently featured in the background.
6. Promenade Du Quai Branly
If you do our self-guided walking tour of Paris along the Seine, you will naturally pass by this spot to get photos of the Eiffel Tower without any crowds! The promenade follows the west bank of the Seine from Pont de Bir-Hakeim to Pont del’Alma and has fabulous views along the way of both the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.
Other interesting landmarks in this area include the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac (where you can see tribal art from around the world), the Paris Sewer Museum (where you can see “the city beneath the city”), and Fluctuart: Center of Urban Art (where you can enjoy art, books, and a casual meal on the water).
Our favorite stop though was Le Café Pierre Hermé, where we got to buy some absolutely delicious macarons. There is a little stand alone shop on the side of the path just before Pont de l’Alma bridge. Since this stop is toward the beginning of the walking tour of Paris, you’ll have a delicious treat if you get snacky during your walk!
7. Pont Alexandre III
Our self-guided walking tour of Paris along the Seine will also take you across Pont Alexandre III. This bridge is so incredibly beautiful and is one of the most ornate bridges in Paris! It has stunning gilded statues standing tall on pedestals at each corner of the bridge, dozens of beautiful old lampposts adorned with cherubs, and intricate stone garland along the outer sides with gilded details.
There are some great photo opportunities on the bridge with the Eiffel Tower in the distance or off the bridge if you’d like a picture of the entire bridge in all its glory!
8. Rue de l’Université
If you want a photo that makes it look like you are candidly strolling the streets of Paris with the Eiffel Tower towering behind you, then Rue de l’Université is the street to do it. Specifically the area near the intersection with Avenue de la Bourdonnais.
This street is going to give you photos with ornate balconies, Parisian architecture, and a pedestrian vibe. It won’t just look like you took some cute photos in Paris. Photos on this street will make it look like you’re living your best Emily in Paris life.
Bonus Peekaboo Views
We highly recommend spending a day in Montmartre while you’re in Paris. As you wander along the winding cobblestone streets lined with vine covered buildings and quaint cafes, you feel like you are in an old French village instead of the bustling city of Paris.
We stayed in Montmartre on our last girls trip to Paris, and it gave us our first glimpses of the Eiffel Tower on our trip. Walk along Rue Saint-Éleuthère by the Basilica of the Sacred Heart for glimpses of the Eiffel Tower looming high over the Parisian rooftops. Get ready for a workout though, because the hills in Montmartre are no joke!
Do you have an Eiffel Tower photo spot to add to our list? Let us know in the comments below!
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