Paris has one of those skylines that are easily recognized and make people dream about: the Eiffel tower, the Sacré Coeur basilica, Notre-Dame, the dome of Invalides, the skyscrapers of La Défense. With your camera, we propose you to discover the best high spots to obtain unique images of Paris.

Eiffel tower:

The view from the Eiffel tower is our favorite place to photograph Paris from the top. With the Seine river at your feet you will get a stunning view of Trocadero with the skyscrapers of La Défense as background. Going upwards through the river you will discover the bridges of Paris, the Rivoli street, and the Sacré Coeur basilica. Facing southeast let yourself be impressed by the geometry of the Champs de Mars and the Montparnasse tower, and to the west, sunset will give you a great light. If you have a wide-angle lens, this is the moment to use it, and if you have a zoom, use it to get some details of the buildings around you.

Montparnasse tower:

For some this is the greatest view of Paris. A 360º view of the city, with the Eiffel tower on it! It’s quite a comfortable place as it is a bigger terrace than most panoramic locations. However, for us the great inconvenience is the protection giant glasses. A second point that we do not appreciate as much is that you can not really photograph the Seine. Nevertheless, it can be a good choice when travelling with kids.

André Citroën Balloon:

Ah! An experience that make us dream about Paris. You get in the air in an air balloon that will raise you upper than the Parisian roofs. A great view of the Eiffel tower. Get your camera and cellphone ready and do note hesitate to made a selfie (better if you are two). The only point down is the protection net that may not allow you to pass your zoom if it is too big. Beware of time in the air, you won’t get that much of it.

Triumph Arc

The place Charles de Gaulle (also known as place de l’Etoile) is the location of the Triumph Arc. This is one of the most iconic places of Paris’ transformation period of Haussmann. From here you will enjoy one of the greatest views that can explain the great complexity of its urbanism. It’s time to let the perspectives to invade your panoramic compositions.

Notre Dame tower

Who have not heard about the gargoyles of Paris? Well, from the tower of the main basilica of Paris you will get them, as well as the Eiffel tower and the Seine river. What else can you ask for?

If you wish to continue photographing Paris from the top, read about our favorite 5 free spots for panoramic photography.