A Photography Day Trip to Paris

I was extremely lucky with the weather on my recent trip to Paris, bright sunshine and scattered white clouds followed me for most of the day. It was the perfect backdrop for light, happy photography, and I made an extra effort to capture the autumn colours as the leaves were beginning to turn. Paris is a city bursting with artistic inspiration on every corner, and I loved every minute of photographing it. I honestly can’t wait to go back one day to capture it all over again.

Notre Dame Cathedral

My first stop of the day was at the Notre Dame Cathedral, a perfect place to begin as the train from the airport stops directly at Notre Dame station, just a short walk away. The cathedral was every bit as stunning as I’d heard, and I enjoyed capturing its grand exterior before stepping inside to admire the interior. With free entry, this is a must-visit if you’re planning a day trip to Paris.

The Latin Quarter

Just across from the cathedral lies the Latin Quarter, a place overflowing with photographic inspiration. From artists selling their work on the streets, to cosy bookshops, charming cafés, and beautiful architecture, there was something to capture around every corner. I happily spent an hour or two here, soaking up the atmosphere and focusing on some street photography. If that’s your style, the Latin Quarter is an absolute must.

The Louvre

Afterwards, I followed the River Seine towards the Louvre, a walk that offers endless photo opportunities thanks to the grand buildings, bustling stalls, and lively Parisian energy along the way. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to explore the gallery itself, but the exterior is breathtaking on its own. I enjoyed photographing the famous glass pyramid, watching the crowds, and even managed a few time-lapse shots with the breaking clouds, my favourite kind of sky for photography.

Alexandre III Bridge

After a quick lunch, I carried on along the Seine towards the Eiffel Tower, stopping at the Pont Alexandre III. This beautifully designed bridge, built in the late 19th century, is a dream for photographers. Unfortunately, half of it was under maintenance during my visit, so I couldn’t quite capture the shots I was hoping for. Still, it’s a spot I’ll definitely revisit next time I’m in Paris.

The Eiffel Tower

Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a stop at the Eiffel Tower. It was everything I expected and more. You could spend hours wandering the area around the tower, looking for unique angles and perspectives. Though I was running short on time, I still managed to spend a couple of hours soaking up the atmosphere and shooting hundreds of photos. Happily, many of them turned out just as I’d hoped, and I’m already looking forward to capturing the tower in other seasons.

Arc de Triomphe

My final stop of the day was the Arc de Triomphe, about a 40-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. I had hoped to climb to the top for panoramic city views with the tower in the distance, but unfortunately, I arrived during a ceremony for Paris’s firefighters, so access was closed. Instead, I stayed for a while to capture the Arc from ground level and watched part of the ceremony, even if I didn’t understand a word of it.

Final Thoughts

Out of all the recent cities I’ve been day-tripping to, Paris has been my favourite. The weather certainly helped, but more than that, the city is overflowing with artistic inspiration.

Whether you’re travelling for photography or just looking for a classic city break, I can’t recommend Paris highly enough. I’ll definitely be back!