Paris 2024, street photography & landmarks.
…and the best times to photograph the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero.
My new YouTube video is finally on my channel, where I condense my 24 hours solo in Paris in less than 10 minutes. Hope you’ll enjoy it, and if you can subscribe and leave a like and comment. I would appreciate it so much!
I tried to do some of the classic spots this time (this was my 5th in the Ville Lumière, but the first alone and with 100% focus on photography), and I actually went back to the Moulin Rouge area for the first time in 14 years (last time was on my honeymoon in 2010 whaaatt!!), I then wanted to take pics of the Tour in several times of the day ( and colours), and I think I managed quite well in the end.
When’s best to photograph the Tour Eiffel?
I would recommend to get up really early, as I did, and be at Trocadero before 7AM: there will be other photographers, but we’re usually not getting in each other’s way, moving around every few minutes to get different angles.
Check also in advance the sunrise time, with a bit of clouds (but not overcast), you can get a few stunners.
Get there during blue hour in order to give you the time to set up your tripod properly, attach the remote (or connect the app) for long exposures :)
Night photography of the Eiffel Tower?
Definitely from the Pont de Bir-Hakeim. I was there at 10PM, there were people taking portraits and photos, but it wasn’t busy at all and I took my time to take a few shots.
I was at Trocadero for an hour prior to this, and it was pure HELL. People were actually really rude (I mean tourists), pushing you around to get their shot and putting their heads in front of the camera. I swear to Mother Earth I was not in anyone’s way, and I moved around. Only one guy actually asked me if I was done on the spot I was so he could take his shot.
There were also too many of these unlicensed vendors throwing around stuff and putting there miniature Eiffel Towers everywhere. Not cool.
As you can see we have brides here and a romantic, Disney-style couple/engagement photoshoot, which I thought was cute as hell, and I couldn’t stop myself so I took a few snapshots too 👸🏼😇
I’m going to add some more photos of the Eiffel Tower at sunset and by night (even when it’s sparkling ✨ ) at the end of this post. Keep reading! (Plus a bonus!)
Is is worth it to catch the sunset from Montmartre?
Imma go ahead here and say no… I wish I had done some more research here, but actually the sun sets BEHIND the Sacre Cœur 🙄 (Idiot, I know there’s no need to shout).
So if you have a few days, try and walk up there in the early morning. One thing I’ve noticed is that Paris wakes up later than other cities. If you go out at 6.30AM in London you have already packed trains and tubes during the week. And I mean PACKED. Paris has his early starters, but not like London, which I do appreciate. (Yes: my base standard is London, having lived and worked here for the past 10 years, so if you’re actually from the countryside, well in that case anything may look busier than usual haha).
Though always worth it…
Louvre’s Pyramid
Heading back to the city centre from Trocadero, I decided to stop for breakfast around the Louvre (I went to Bo & Mie, link below, their pastries are insane (try the Pain au Chocolate Praline), even if they’ll treat you a bit meh, (and even if you try to use the French you’ve been learning for the past 6 months they’ll hear the accent and reply to you in English), but at 8.30 AM it was still pretty empty and I could sit by the window. I took some shots around there, of the few people that was walking to work, and entered the Louvre area to find a basically empty piazza by the Pyramid. Absolutely lovely 🥰
Rue de Rivoli
Normally super bustling with shops and people, on that morning I can count on one hand how many humans I saw there. It’s a great road for street photography, the column and arches make for great framings.
Latin Quarter (le Quartier Latin)
With plenty of small streets, tiny restaurants and cafes, this is a gold mine if you’re looking for that sunshine/shadow contrast, and people going about their day. You’re very close to Notre Dame if you want to pop around there (mind you it’s still closed for repairs after the fire), but having seen it quite a bit I decided to hang around here for a bit.
As promised, here you have my takes on the Tour Eiffel by night.
Bonus idea for you, especially if it’s raining…
Get tickets for the Musée de l’Orangerie.
Monet’s Water Lilies are a once in a lifetime must-see, and they have also great art by Matisse, Picasso, Renoir and so many other artists just below. It’s fun and awe-inspiring, and not at all life-draining like the Louvre.
Yes: the Louvre is unbelievable, I won’t deny it AT ALL, but it’s frankly so big and tiring at times, and this is a cute and tiny museum that may take you only an hour to visit in its entirety.
Links:
Musée de l’Orangerie: https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/fr I had a discount ‘cause I booked my hotel through booking.com, so take a look if you can find tickets there too.
The Hotel I stayed at, it was comfortable and clean and they were really kind: Hotel Paris Voltaire, or their direct website, http://www.hotel-paris-voltaire.fr
Bo & Mie Boulangerie Creative: https://en.boetmie.com
And even if I didn’t have the time to go this time, this is, in my baker’s opinion (been a baker for 17 years, trust me on this), the best boulangerie for Baguettes: Mamiche. Remember to always ask for a “baguette tradition”, they’re the best.
One more bonus link: for excellent fromage, I’d recommend Fromager Gautier. Incredible selection, and the lady that helped me was so kind. It’s about a 10 min walk from Gare du Nord, in an indoors market, so if you’re catching the Eurostar, this could be your last stop ❤️
With love,
your Invisible Photographer 📸