Planning Tools and Tips
Planning ahead will help to make the most of a visit to Paris. Here are some suggestions and resources to help you decide how to make the best use of your time in Paris. I hope you have a fabulous time!
Fujifilm X-E1, 55mm, ISO 640, 1/80s, f/6.4
Suggested Weekend Plan
If you only have one weekend to spend in Paris, and it’s your first visit, here’s a suggested itinerary.
Saturday: The Seine, Eiffel Tower, Les Berges, Musée D’Orsay, Louvre, Notre Dame
1. Start at Pont de Grenelle and the replica of the Statue of Liberty.
2. Follow Île aux Cygnes, the narrow island walkway down the center of the river.
3. Cross Pont de Bir-Hakeim to the northern bank of the river.
4. Walk along the bank of the river, heading east to Trocadéro.
5. Cross Pont d'Iéna to the Eiffel Tower.
6. Follow the river east via Les Berges, a relatively new installation of floating gardens and activities on the bank of the river (or cross and follow the north bank to photograph the dinosaur at Bateau-Mouche).
7. Take a look inside the Musée d'Orsay or continue along the river.
8. Cross Pont de la Concorde to Place de la Concorde.
9. Stroll through the Tuileries Gardens.
10. Enjoy the architecture of the Louvre.
11. Cross Pont des Arts.
12. Follow the south bank of the river to Shakespeare and Company.
13. Cross the river again to Notre Dame.
14. If you still have the energy, return to the Louvre for some night shots.
Sunday: Montmartre, Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse Tower
1. Take the Metro to Blanche station.
2. Take a quick look at the Moulin Rouge.
3. Head up rue Lepic to see the Moulin (windmill) de la Galette.
4. Take some time to explore Montmartre, heading gradually to...
5. Place du Tertre and its portrait artists.
6. Around the corner is the Sacre Cœur.
7. Walk down the steps in front of the basilica (see if the football street artist is plying his trade).
8. Take the Metro from Anvers to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile on line 2.
9. Buy a ticket and climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.
10. Wander the Champs-Élysées.
11. Take Metro line 13 from Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau to Montparnasse Bienvenue.
12. Visit a crêperie.
13. Head to the top of the Montparnasse Tower for some great views of the city.
Annual Calendar
To help you plan a trip to Paris, particularly if you’re still deciding what time of year, check out this list of major photogenic annual events and details on when the alignment of buildings and sun or moon might, weather permitting, provide an ideal shot.
January
• New Year’s Day parade
• Sunrise behind the Arc de Triomphe, taken from La Defense (late in the month)
• Moonrise behind the Eiffel Tower, taken from Pont de Bir-Hakeim
• Moonrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
February
• Paris Carnival
• Sunrise behind Arc de Triomphe, taken from La Defense (early in the month)
• Moonrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
March
• Banlieues Bleues (jazz and blues music festival)
April
• Paris Marathon
• Sunrise behind the Eiffel Tower, taken from Pont de Bir-Hakeim (late in the month)
• Sunrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
May
• Sunset behind La Defense, taken from the Arc de Triomphe
• Sunrise behind the Eiffel Tower, taken from Pont de Bir-Hakeim (early in the month)
• Sunrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
June
• Gay Pride parade
• Sunrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
• Sunset behind the Eiffel Tower, taken from Montparnasse Tower
July
• Bal des Pompiers (Fireman’s Ball)
• Bastille Day and Feux d’artifice (fireworks at the Eiffel Tower)
• Tour de France finish
• Sunrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
August
• Paris Plage (Paris Beaches)
• Sunset behind La Defense, taken from the Arc de Triomphe
• Sunrise behind the Eiffel Tower, taken from Pont de Bir-Hakeim
• Moonrise behind the Eiffel Tower, taken from Pont de Bir-Hakeim
• Sunrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
• Moonrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
September
• Le Grand Feu de Saint-Cloud (fireworks display)
October
• Nuit Blanche (museums, parks stay open all night)
November
• Salon de la Photo (photography expo)
• Paris Photo (photo fair)
• Sunrise behind Arc de Triomphe, taken from La Defense
• Moonrise behind the Eiffel Tower, taken from Pont de Bir-Hakeim
• Moonrise behind Notre Dame, taken from across the river
December
• Christmas markets and illuminations
• Sunrise behind the Eiffel Tower, taken from Trocadéro
Resources
The following websites will help you find out more of what’s going on in Paris:
• www.secretsofparis.com/paris-calendar
To check on sunrise and sunset times, this is a site I use a lot:
If you’re in Paris for more than a few days, why not connect with a few photographers here:
• Paris Photography Monthly Meetup Group