25 Best Places to Take Family Photos in Paris: Picture-Perfect Locations

Paris is such a photogenic city and a great place to visit with your kids. If you’ve been itching to update the frames on your mantle piece, planning a Paris photo session is a great way to get some updated family portraits and vacation snaps. 

It goes without saying, the City of Lights is a busy, sprawling place. In the city, it can be difficult to hunt down the best locations for pictures if you’ve never visited before. Even more so with little kids! This guide covers exactly where to take family photos in Paris, and all the top tips you need to know before you go.

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Where to Take Family Photos in Paris

1. The Trocadéro (Eiffel Tower)

While the absolute best view of the Eiffel Tower is an ongoing debate, no one can argue that the Trocadéro offers a perfect backdrop with the Iron Lady. Trocadéro Gardens have an unobstructed, elevated vantage point, which is ideal for large group shots.

Top tip: It’s essential to take photos here as early as possible. Arrive two hours after sunrise, and the crowds are already dense!

2. Île Saint-Louis

The old-world charm of this peaceful, small island in the middle of the Seine River is ideal for families with little kids. Snap photos while you take a short walk along a cobblestone lane lined with historic buildings.

Laugh as you all try not to drip ice cream from the Berthillon tea room on your shirts. Standing at the riverside, whether you’re on the Left Bank, Right Bank, or an island like Île Saint-Louis, will always be one of the best photo spots in Paris.

3. Louvre and Cour Napoléon

The Louvre Museum is an ideal location for family photos for several reasons. First, the modern pyramid and historic palace setting offer multiple vibes in one space. While it’s a popular spot, the large area means it’s easier to find pockets of empty spaces than you might think. 

Whether you’re looking for artistic shots with reflections and symmetry or the elegance of the courtyards, you’ll find it at the Louvre.

4. Luxembourg Gardens

Another ideal location that offers a mix of backdrops is Luxembourg Gardens. This expansive, 17th-century garden offers colorful flower beds, fountains, tree-lined trails, and iron-wrought benches for easy family snaps.

The Luxembourg Palace serves as a backdrop so you can include historic buildings in your park pictures, too. 

5. Palais Royal and Colonnes de Buren

To use its full name, Domaine National du Palais-Royal blends the magic of Paris’s elegance with a contemporary, art-filled park. Take pictures walking between the columns or sitting in front of the fountain filled with silver balls.

Venture out to the surrounding gardens and allow younger kids to run around in the park. It’s always heart-warming to take photos of them just being kids and having fun!

6. Pont Alexandre III

Paris has many bridges over the Seine River (at least 37!), but few are as photogenic as Pont Alexandre III. This gold-laden, Beaux-Arts bridge has ornate lamps, the Eiffel Tower, and the skyline as a backdrop. Fortune (in this case, fewer people in your shots) favors families willing to wait a little longer on this bridge for other people to move away.

7. Arc de Triomphe

Tying in a photo shoot with a landmark you wanted to visit on your Paris family trip anyway is a great idea. The famous Arc de Triomphe offers incredible views of the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées from the top. However, the safety spikes will obscure the background.

Opt for the next best thing and take family photos from below. Snap more artistic shots underneath the arch, or head to the outer sidewalk to get the whole structure in the background. Note that this might not be the ideal spot to linger if you have little kids. There is a lot of traffic.

8. Rue Crémieux

This pedestrian-only street lined with pastel-colored houses and plants is something of a hidden gem. But it’s the perfect spot for candid family photos! For example, set up the camera in the middle of the street and walk towards it holding hands. 

9. Sacré-Cœur

Montmartre’s white birthday cake basilica is an ideal location for large and small families alike. Stand on the steps to squeeze everyone in.

Or, pose from the terrace for a sensational vista of Paris in the background. Pile into the funicular or sit on the edge of the fountains for alternative shots.

10. Champ de Mars (Eiffel Tower)

If you want to take photos directly in front of the Eiffel Tower, do it! Champ de Mars is the long lawn stretching from the iconic tower and offers dozens of potential photo angles. Stay close to allow the base legs to fill the background, or stand further away for a striking symmetrical shot.

11. Île de la Cité

Like Île Saint-Louis, Île de la Cité offers a similar peaceful vibe in a different location. Head to Place Dauphine for photos with trees, cobblestones, and 19th-century townhouses. This is also where you can find Notre Dame Cathedral with a scaffolding-free facade!

12. Latona Fountain (Versailles)

There are tons of iconic spots for family photos on a day trip to Versailles. Especially in the Palace’s gardens! The tiered design of the golden Latona Fountain means that even if you stand in front, you can still see the beautiful structure.

Visiting the Palace of Versailles is an eye-opening and unforgettable experience for kids, and a special memory to capture forever.

13. Tuileries Garden

Tuileries Garden is a long formal park dotted with sculptures and fountains next to Place de la Concorde. Little kids will love the ducks in the ponds, and Musée de l’Orangerie provides a beautiful setting.

14. Passage des Panoramas

One of Paris’s oldest covered walkways, Passage des Panoramas, is a hidden gem for family photos. The tiled floors, old-timey lamps, and wooden boutique facades are something out of a movie.

Top tip: take photos from a lower angle to capture the natural light streaming through the glass ceiling.

15. Pont de Bir-Hakeim (Eiffel Tower)

Another perfect spot for family portraits is Pont de Bir-Hakeim. This 20th-century bridge offers a striking covered walkway (perfect on rainy days!). Plus, you don’t have to give up those all-important Eiffel Tower views. This bridge directly overlooks the famous landmark.

16. Château de Chantilly

Rebuilt in the 19th century after the revolution, Château de Chantilly is an opulent castle in a lush natural reserve. Take photos while sitting on the steps, on the bridge over the water, or in one of the many ornate gazebos. The possibilities are endless!

Château de Chantilly is just a one-hour train journey outside Paris and the perfect spot for a photo-filled day trip for families.

17. Musée de Montmartre and Gardens

Another lesser-known photo spot is Musée de Montmartre and the surrounding gardens. Artist Jean Renoir used to work in this serene green space! The swing hanging from the tree, charming window shutters, and staircases make this an idyllic spot with few people. 

18. Parc de Saint-Cloud

If you don’t want to travel as far as Versailles, Parc de Saint-Cloud is a great option outside Paris. This vast national estate is a historic monument. Snap away while your children frolic in Marie Antoinette’s Rose Garden. Stand on top of the Balustrade Round to capture the whole of Paris in the back of your shots.

It’s just a 40-minute train ride from the French Capital, and your children will enjoy stretching their legs in the endless greenery.

19. Petit Palais

Another suggestion for where to take family photos in Paris in the rain is the Petit Palais. Next door to the Grand Palais, its little sister is an incredibly lavish fine arts museum housing an eclectic collection.

With a rainbow ceiling, mosaic tiled floors, and show-stopping staircases, this building will look beautiful in photographs. It’s not as busy as other art museums, such as the Louvre, so you can take advantage of fewer people and lots of space.

20. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Side-step the pristine formal gardens for this wild 19th-century park in a former quarry. With suspension bridges, waterfalls, and uber-tall trees, the dramatic scenery will elevate your family photos. This is ideal for more casual, off-the-cuff family photos sans crowds if you don’t want an audience.

21. Pont Neuf

Pont Alexandre II is ornate and Pont de Bir-Hakeim eclectic, but Pont Neuf harkens back to Paris’s medieval history. This 17th-century stone arched bridge offers a quaint setting for stunning lakeside family portraits. Pose on the Left Bank with the bridge in the background or huddle together in one of the bridge’s alcoves. 

22. Parc Monceau

Every Parisian part offers something unique for your family photoshoot. Pose in the Roman-esque colonnade reflecting in the pond or by the Pyramid follies at Parc Monceau. It’s a smaller, 18th-century park with woodland and a marionette theater. For being one of the smaller parks, it packs in a lot of photogenic spots!

23. Rue de l’Abreuvoir

Just up the street from Musée de Montmartre is Rue de l’Abreuvoir. It’s home to the Instagram-famous La Maison Rose, a pretty pink restaurant, and a postcard-perfect hillside perspective.

It’s a quintessential Montmartre scene for candid family snaps. Note that it can be a busy place for little ones, but your older kids might love it!

24. Place des Vosges

Built by King Henri IV in 1612, Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris. It’s not dissimilar to London’s square parks. While it’s small, that doesn’t mean it’s not an ideal portrait location.

Red brick houses surround the square, which has many benches and fountains. With its majestic trees, it’s a great place to kick some leaves in the fall for fun family pictures!

25. Avenue de Camoens (Eiffel Tower)

Once a hidden gem, this raised terrace is at the end of a quaint street and offers a clear view of the Eiffel Tower. It was only a matter of time before the world found out about this sensational vista!

So, yes, it can get quite busy here. It’s a great family photo location if you’re able to get up and about early. Perch on the stone barrier and watch the sun rise as you snap away.

Tips for Planning Family Photo Sessions in Paris

Hire a Professional Photographer

By far the best insider tip anyone could give you is to book a Paris family photographer. A professional portrait photographer is going to provide you with exponentially better photos than a stranger or selfie ever will. They will not only take beautiful photos, but also give you a stress-free experience. We used Lucille with Flytographer and were blown away by her personality and the quality of the photos she captured.

You can discuss where to take these family photos in Paris, and they will plan the entire process. Plus, once you have finished your family shoot, that’s it! You can stop worrying about taking more photos at every landmark and concentrate on having a good time in Paris.

Seek Inspiration

It’s a good idea to search social media, Pinterest, or Google to find poses you like. Especially if someone in your family isn’t super comfortable in front of the camera. Share with your Paris photographer what type of poses you do and don’t like so you can make the most of your time slot. And there’s a higher chance that you’ll love the outcome! 

Co-ordinate Outfits

What you wear on a Paris family photoshoot is up to you, but you’ll be glad you gave it some thought. Large families should keep it simple.

Pick an easy color scheme or an item of clothing (everyone owns jeans!). Matching berets is fun for one picture, but the joke wears off after five or six poses.

Bring a Change of Clothes

Whether you’re traveling in the heart of Paris or playing in your backyard, small children find a way to get dirty. Pack a small change of clothes just in case. Most professional photographers will bring a small backpack and allow you to stash some items.

Eat Before, Rest After

Posing for family pictures, especially shoots longer than 90 minutes, can be draining for little kids. Ensure their energy levels are as high as possible by eating beforehand. Give them something to look forward to after your shoot. For most people, that will be to rest! Schedule a Paris walking tour for another day.

Pick Personal Locations

Be adventurous and swap popular locations for personal ones. Does your family eat pastries on the weekend? Plan a family photo shoot around visiting a cool café like Les Petits Mitrons and biting into flaky croissants.

Are you movie fans? Take family photos outside beautiful theaters like Théâtre Lepic. Not only will these great spots add a personal touch, but you’ll have a lot of fun taking them!

Choose Time of Day Wisely

Wondering when the best time is to take photos in Paris? No matter when you’re visiting, the best time for a family photo shoot in Paris is golden hour in the morning. “Golden hour” is the period shortly after sunrise or shortly before sunset, and usually offers warm natural light. Not only do you get the best lighting, but the great spots for photos will be at their quietest.

If your family members aren’t early birds, late afternoon is the best alternative. Crowds have usually tapered off, and the glow is comparable to that early morning light.

Work With the Seasons

If you’re visiting Paris in spring, research where the cherry blossoms are blooming. In the winter months, pack your nicest wool coats so you don’t have to shed your old parka for pictures. And don’t forget to check daylight hours!