Photography Hotspots and Stunning Vistas in Paris

In the heart of France, Paris continues to captivate visitors with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. The city, which hosted the 2024 Olympics, has not only showcased its sporting prowess but also highlighted its enduring charm.

The 2024 Olympic events took place from July 26 to early August, with the opening ceremony featuring a unique parade of athletes on boats along the Seine River and artistic segments themed around French values like Liberté, Égalité, and Fraternité. The track and field events continued through August 9, 2024, showcasing a variety of races such as the women’s heptathlon long jump and 4x400 meter relay qualifiers.

Although the Games themselves have concluded, Paris continues celebrating the Olympic spirit with the Fête de la Seine on July 26, 2025. This event rekindles the festive atmosphere with a floating parade on the Seine, the return of the Olympic flame vessel (la Vasque), and free public swimming at three newly designated Paris Plages river sites.

Paris's attractions extend far beyond the Olympic events. The city is home to numerous hidden gems, each offering a unique experience.

Square du Vert-Galant, a quiet park on a point where two branches of the Seine meet, is ideal for picnics and secluded moments, with water gently flowing around in the Western tip of Île de la Cité.
Passage Barrault, a lesser-known street with beautiful old houses and greenery, offers a quiet, almost hidden escape.
Pont Alexandre III is known for its opulent decorations and stunning views of the Seine, making it a perfect spot for sunset walks and memorable photos in the 7th and 8th arrondissements.
Rue Montorgueil is a bustling market street with flower shops, cafes, and classic French architecture in the 2nd arrondissement.

The city's parks also offer a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont features a cliff-top temple, a picturesque lake, hidden grottos, and provides beautiful views of the city's rooftops and monuments in a natural setting in the 19th arrondissement.
Jardin du Luxembourg captures statues, fountains, and beautifully arranged gardens within this popular Parisian park in the 6th arrondissement.
Square des Peupliers is a charming residential square surrounded by quaint houses and full of green spaces.
Rue des Thermopyles is a charming, green alley perfect for capturing a quieter side of Paris in the 14th arrondissement.
Belleville offers vibrant street art and panoramic views of the city from Belleville Park in the 20th arrondissement.

Paris's neighbourhoods are also worth exploring.

La Butte-aux-Cailles in the 13th arrondissement is known for its village-like atmosphere, cobbled streets, and lovely murals.
Rue Cortot in Montmartre is home to the Musée de Montmartre and surrounded by old, picturesque buildings that feel steeped in history.
Rue Daviel features the unique Petite Alsace, a group of half-timbered houses that provide a picturesque sight in the middle of Paris.
Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis in the Marais in the 4th arrondissement features a majestic dome and a richly decorated interior.
Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais boasts a façade blending Gothic and Renaissance styles in the 4th arrondissement.
Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement is known for its picturesque streets like Rue de l'Abreuvoir, lined with lovely houses and offering great views of the Sacré-Cœur.
Rue de la Butte-aux-Cailles is the main street of the neighbourhood, lined with charming bistros and bars.

Paris's churches also hold a special allure.

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont features a striking Gothic interior and a beautiful rood screen near the Pantheon in the 5th arrondissement.
Val-de-Grâce Church is a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture in the 5th arrondissement.
Saint-Severin Church is known for its beautiful stained glass and spiral columns in the 5th arrondissement.
Saint-Sulpice Church has Gothic and Renaissance architecture in the 6th arrondissement.
Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral with richly decorated interiors and a distinctly different architectural style in the 8th arrondissement.
Saint-Eustache Church has Gothic and Renaissance architecture in the 1st arrondissement.
Place du Tertre offers a quieter experience early in the morning to capture the essence of this famous square with artists and cafes.
Sainte-Chapelle though somewhat popular, its breathtaking stained glass still offers a unique photographic opportunity away from the mainstream in the 1st arrondissement.
The Medici Fountain is a baroque fountain surrounded by shady trees and quiet benches, perfect for a romantic rendezvous in Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th arrondissement.
Church of Saint-Roch is known for its dramatic art and sculptures on the bustling Rue Saint-Honoré in the 1st arrondissement.
Saint-Sulpice Church has Gothic and Renaissance architecture in the 6th arrondissement.
Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral with richly decorated interiors and a distinctly different architectural style in the 8th arrondissement.
Saint-Sulpice Church is famous for its unique mismatched towers in the 6th arrondissement.

Paris's covered arcades also provide a unique charm.

Passage Jouffroy is known for its glass roof and charming antique shops and tea rooms in the 9th arrondissement.
Passage des Panoramas is one of the oldest covered arcades in Paris, filled with antique shops and bistros in the 2nd arrondissement.
Place Dauphine is one of Paris's quietest squares, lined with traditional Parisian architecture and cozy bistros, offering a peaceful break from the bustling city in the 1st arrondissement.
Rue Crémieux is a picturesque street lined with colorful houses, ideal for vibrant street shots in the 12th arrondissement.
Rue des Cinq Diamants is known for its small artisan shops and cozy restaurants.
Gardens of the Musée Rodin offer a tranquil and artistic setting, perfect for a romantic stroll among some of Rodin's most famous works in the 7th arrondissement.
Rue Saint-Vincent is a quiet, vine-covered street that embodies the romantic atmosphere of Montmartre, perfect for peaceful strolls and photos.
Parc de Belleville has one of the highest vantage points in Paris and offers a less crowded, picturesque view of the city in the 20th arrondissement.
Rue des Saules features the famous vineyard, Vigne de Montmartre, adding a unique rural charm right in the heart of Paris.

Paris, with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, continues to be a city worth exploring, long after the 2024 Olympics.

The Fête de la Seine, held on July 26, 2025, revisits the Olympic spirit with a floating parade on the Seine, the return of the Olympic flame vessel, and free public swimming at Paris Plages river sites, reinforcing the city's celebration beyond the 2024 Games.

For those seeking alternative experiences, Paris offers a variety of hidden gems, such as the Quiet Square du Vert-Galant, the lesser-known Passage Barrault, the charming Rue Montorgueil, the cliff-top Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and the picturesque Jardin du Luxembourg, each providing unique experiences to explore.