Updated October 13, 2026
The three best photoshoot locations around the Eiffel Tower are Trocadéro, the Champ de Mars, and the streets beside it like Avenue de la Bourdonnais and Avenue de Suffren. They are all only about 10 minutes’ walk from each other. I’m Katie Donnelly, a Paris photographer, and you can cover all three in a session of 1 to 2 hours.
What You’ll Find in This Blog:
- Getting Your Bearings in Paris
- 1. Trocadéro: The Classic View of the Eiffel Tower
- 2. The Champ de Mars: Gardens at the Foot of the Tower
- 3. The Streets Around the Eiffel Tower
- How Long Do You Need for All Three Locations?
- What to Wear for Eiffel Tower Photos
- Eiffel Tower Photoshoot Location Questions
- Ready to Book Your Paris Photoshoot?
Getting Your Bearings in Paris
Paris is a city with a million and one things at your fingertips: culture, walking, eating, touring, wine-tasting.. all amazing things to do during a weekend or a vacation here (or even better, if you’re a local!) But if this is your first time, it can be SUPER overwhelming, especially since you don’t really know the distances between the places you’d like to see.
Coming from NY, I’m constantly comparing the two cities. Size wise, I’d compare Paris to the size of Manhattan. For trains, the metro (Paris subway number lines like the 1, 2, 3 etc.) are the same as the local subway lines in Manhattan that stop every few blocks (ex: the 6 or the 1 in Manhattan). You can pretty much walk between metro stations within 5-7 minutes. Paris RER lines (the letter lines like the RER A, B, C etc.) are the equivalent to NYC Express subway lines (the A or the 2/3 in Manhattan), and once they’re in the Paris suburbs, it’s more like the Metro North or LIRR stopping between towns and other neighboring cities.
It probably seems complicated but really, I find the Paris metro a lot easier than the NYC subway lines as you never have crazy track work or any trains running local after 10pm. (If you’ve ever gotten home late from work in NYC to find that your express is now a local through the upper west side, you know what I’m talking about.) Everything is clearly indicated and the metro is SO much cleaner. In 5 years, I’ve seen zero rats and 1 baby mouse. You see easily 5-6 rats DAILY in your morning NYC commute.
Okay, so back to the real reason I started this post: Around the Eiffel Tower there are beautiful and diverse locations that are SUPER easy to walk to AND They’re all ONLY about 10 minutes walking from each other. SUPER EASY!!
1. Trocadéro: The Classic View of the Eiffel Tower
1. Let’s start with the Trocadero. It’s easily one of the best vistas of the Eiffel Tower. Especially if you’re planning on doing an photo session.. This is the main place where you’re going to want to head to to get an unobscured view of the tower. Here it is:
At sunrise the esplanade is almost empty. Read our Trocadéro sunrise photoshoot guide.
2. The Champ de Mars: Gardens at the Foot of the Tower
2. 10 minutes walk from the Trocadero, just over a bridge crossing the Seine, is the Champs de Mars. This is a LOVELY and vast garden around the Eiffel Tower. Here your views are stunning of the base. There are tree-lined alleys and beautiful buildings surrounding it. If you’re a runner, it’s a great location to head to in Paris because it’s always open and has dirt paths. For a photo session, it’s perfect for families with kids! You never have to worry about little ones running into the streets. A++
3. The Streets Around the Eiffel Tower
3. The streets around the Eiffel Tower like Avenue de Bourdonnais and Avenue de Suffren are beautiful because they are right next to the Champs de Mars, and have stunning buildings for your more casual Parisian backdrops.
How Long Do You Need for All Three Locations?
To do all of these locations we could use 1-2 hours for a session depending on how quick everyone is and if there are little kids walking! Little legs take a bit longer and tire out more quickly for sure!
If you’re living in Paris or are here for only a few days, I hope this is helpful! The Eiffel Tower area can be really beautiful throughout the 4 seasons of the year so if the ET is an absolute MUST for your photo shoot, these places are perfect for you!
More ideas: the best Eiffel Tower photo session locations, the 13 best Paris photoshoot locations, the best locations by month, and for afterwards, the 7 best cafés around the Eiffel Tower. Getting there is easy with our Paris metro guide.
Is the Eiffel Tower a must for your photos?
We meet you there just after sunrise, when you have her almost to yourselves. Sessions with our English-speaking team start at €150, and you see your photos the same day in our Saint-Germain studio.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
What to Wear for Eiffel Tower Photos
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Solid colors and layers work in every season, like the winter coats in this session. Read our what to wear guide and shop my favorite pieces on ShopMy.
Eiffel Tower Photoshoot Location Questions
Trocadéro has the best unobscured view of the whole tower. The Champ de Mars gives you stunning views of the base, with gardens and tree-lined alleys.
About a 10 minute walk, just over the bridge crossing the Seine.
The Champ de Mars. It is a vast garden, so you never have to worry about little ones running into the street.
To cover Trocadéro, the Champ de Mars and the nearby streets, plan 1 to 2 hours, depending on how quick everyone is. Little legs take a bit longer.
Just after sunrise. All our outdoor sessions are in the morning for that reason.
“Pictures came out so beautiful and more incredible than we could ever imagine! Definitely the easiest and best experience possible for the greatest day ever!!”
Megan W.
5-star Google review
About the author
Katie Donnelly, Paris Photographer
Katie Donnelly is an American photographer who opened her Paris studio in 2013 and was voted Best Portrait Photographer in Paris in 2017. She and her English-speaking team photograph families, couples and solo travelers at sunrise, so visitors go home with relaxed, real portraits instead of rushed selfies. Meet Katie and the team.
Ready to Book Your Paris Photoshoot?
Three locations, ten minutes apart, one beautiful morning.
- When: Mornings, just after sunrise, when the city is quiet
- Who: Families, couples, engagements and proposals, and solo travelers, with an English-speaking team
- Your photos: Viewed the same day at our studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Session fee: From €150. Inquire for our full price list.
Tell us your dates and we will help you plan the rest.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
