TOP 10: INSTAGRAM WORTHY VIEWS IN PARIS
Paris is one of the best backdrops for beautiful scenery, and postcard images of narrow paved streets, colorful doors, Haussmann buildings, and overall Parisian charm. You can never run out of new paths, and perspectives to see the city from. As much as it’s nice to take in mental pictures of Paris’ beauty while living in the moment, who are we fooling. Everyone wants to find those picture perfect places to get a canon image of Paris. So here is a La Vie Locale’s curated list of Top 10: Instagram worthy views of Paris (not listed in any particular order of preference).
1. Notre Dame
You can have Gargoyle views of Paris’ landscape from the top of Notre Dame’s towers. When you’re facing the church, there is an entrance on the left side to access the towers.
Price: 10euros ( Free if your less than 26 years old)
2.Sacre Coeur Dôme
This is the most rewarding view you will get in Paris. The entrance to access the dome of the Sacre Coeur is on the left hand side of the church. After hiking up 300 narrow steps ( no elevator), you reach the top and you’re greeted by 360° views like this.
Price: 6€
3. Galeries Lafayette Terrace
Galeries Lafayette department store has a beautiful terrace, that is open to the public, free of charge. Arrive just before the sun goes down for beautiful sunset views. They also have a bar and restaurant that is open when the weather permits.
Price: FREE
4. Parc de Belleville
This is an awesome place that is crowd free and a calm place to enjoy a view overlooking Paris.
Price: FREE
5. Centre Pompidou
If you enter the Centre Pompidou Museum, ask where the George restaurant is. The restaurant in itself is super pricey, but you can access the views without eating in the restaurant which are priceless.
Price: FREE
6.Montparnasse Observation Tower
Last year I had the chance to visit the Montparnasse tower with other photographers in Paris during an Instagram meet up. We arrived right before sunset, check out the view all the way up from the 56th floor ( highest building in Paris).
Price: 15€ or day+night ticket for 20€
7.Ballon de Paris
If you are looking to see an unique view of Paris, visit the Paris Ballon, it floats 150 meters up in the air, and you have a flying view of Paris.
Price: 12€
8.Terras Hotel
The rooftop terrace of this boutique hotel is open to the public for their restaurant (reservation only) and bar. All glass windows +panoramic view of Paris= pure bliss.
Price: FREE to enter (restaurant or bar consummation )
9. Arc de Triomphe
This is a great place to see the perfectly lined boulevards. Great views at night when Paris is all lit up. You have to walk up 234 steps and you can see for miles.
Price: 12€ ( Free with Paris Pass and free for students)
10. Le Perchoir
You have your choice between three locations all with different views of the city. There is the Perchoir Marais, with views of the Eiffel, la Seine, Notre Dame. Perchoir near Ménilmontant with views of Parisian rooftops. And you also have the choice of newest Perchoir Gare de l’est that opened Summer 2016. The view isn’t from that high up, but you have a nice view of the boulevards of Paris from the top of Gare de l’est train station.
NOTE: The biggest challenge with going to any of these places is, the lines are super long. You have to get there right when they open to lock in spot.
Here are a few bonuses
Seine River Cruise
All of the previous views are from high perspectives. If you want to see Paris from a different perspective, the Seine river cruise is a good occasion to see the city from the water.
Musée d’Orsay
The large clock at Musée d’Orsay is a very popular photo spot while visiting the museum.
Located right next Trocadero, this museum may be a little easy to miss, as crowds are flocking to take pictures of the Eiffel tower. If you want a two in one experience, take a visit of this museum which is dedicated to discovering the human species, and a take in a great view at the museum’s restaurant (killer view that overlooks the Eiffel Tower-no lines, no crowds).
Hope this helps for you next photo ops during your trip. #lavielocale to share your photos from your trip!