Paris is always a good idea, but especially during autumn. The days will soon be getting cooler and leaves will be turning golden, giving a new kind of warmth to the city. Yet the weather is still pleasant and shoulder season also means fewer crowds. Perfect conditions to find the most beautiful autumn photo locations in Paris.
Autumn and spring are (in my opinion) the best times to visit Paris as you get to see the city covered in either pinks from the cherry blossoms or yellows, oranges and reds from the changing leaves.
If you are heading to Paris and want a guide of almost 200 things to do then check out my Paris Google Map Pins. It includes attractions, parks, museums, viewpoints, restaurants/cafes, bars, Instagrammable spots, day trip options and more. Not only does each pin directly link to the attractions website, contact details, opening hours and reviews, but directions and photos from Google as well. I have also included my own photo references, links and helpful tips. Use code: BLOG for 10% off.
I love using pins to plan my trips because it saves all of the recommendations straight to my phone or computer for easy access. It makes travel planning so much easier being able to see where everything is!
These photos were taken around the 20th-23rd of October 2022 for time reference and the colours have been edited slightly to enhance the golden-ness.
All locations below can be found included in the map plus dozens more! But to get you started here are my favourites…
Where to find the best autumn photo locations in Paris
Autumn foliage framing the Eiffel Tower
My favourite Paris photo spot without a doubt. The golden leaves frame the tower perfectly, especially magical in the early morning light. I recommend coming in the first few hours of day light.
Where to find it?
Along Avenue de New York, a minutes walk north-east of Pont d’léna. Pop ‘3 Port Debilly‘ into your maps for the exact location.
Best time to visit
The most vibrant colours seem to be in late October or early November, but seems to change ever so slightly year on year.
Av. de Camoens – Eiffel Tower view
A perfect spot for photos, especially in autumn & spring. In spring these cherry blossom trees will be covered in… well you guessed it, cherry blossoms. Yet in autumn the leaves turn vibrant hues of yellow, orange and red with the stunning Parisian architecture and Eiffel Tower in the background. It’s a great spot for sunrise as well because it rises behind the tower.
This is a very popular spot among local photographers as well. Many bring couples or models here in the golden hours for photo shoots. Be mindful of this and respectful in letting them get their shots but still make sure you get your turn. Some of the photographers were quite unfair and were acting like they owned the space.
Where to find it?
At the end of the street named Avenue de Camoens. This spot is also above Monument à Luís de Camões.
Best time to visit
The trees here change quite early compared to others spots around the city. Sometimes you can witness the colours as early as the end of August. Usually September is the best month to see them or into early October, depending on the season. By the 22nd of October in 2022, the leaves were mostly gone as you can see in the above picture.
Square de la Turlure & Sacre Cœur
Find this small garden with colourful foliage and the iconic Sacre Cœur beyond in the stunning neighbourhood of Montmartre. There are leaf covered arches in this walkway that also turn golden a little later in autumn (probably November time).
Where to find it?
Square de la Turlure sits behind the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. This exact walkway was to the west of the park, parralel to Rue de la Bonne.
Best time to visit
Late October – mid November. Although there are many different tree species here that change at different times.
La Maison Rose
Whilst you’re in the area, make sure to head to the famous pink restaurant named La Maison Rose. The historic building is covered in ferns that turn golden to a bright red and make the popular photo spot that little bit more colourful.
Best time to visit
Mid-October to early November seems best for vibrant colours.
Rue de l’Abreuvoir
Then explore the picturesque street where La Maison Rose resides. There are many old buildings covered in vines and a cobblestone road. As it sits on a hill, you can get a beautiful view looking up the street by walking to the bottom.
Where to find it?
Turn down Rue de l’Abreuboir and walk to the end of it (exact location on the pins map). Looking up the cobblestone street gives another great view and autumn photo location.
Best time to visit
Mid-October to early November seems best for vibrant colours.
Leaf wall of Montmartre
Continuing in Montmartre, find this leaf wall in a rainbow of warm colours.
Where to find it?
The exact address is 6 Rue Saint-Vincent.
Best time to visit
The leaves turn golden to red around mid-October to mid-November.
Tuileries Gardens
Next to the Louvre, find these beautifully curated gardens with fountains, ponds, tree lined walkways and loose chairs to park up and enjoy a book or the scenery. This gorgeous tree lined walking path is perfect in autumn time. Grab one of the chairs scattered around the area and sit in the middle with the Pavillon de Flore (Louvre Museum building) in the background.
Where to find it?
This pathway is called Terr. du Bord de l’Eau, south of the gardens and parallel to Quai de Tuileries.
Best time to visit
Early-late October is usually the best time to visit.
Close up view of Eiffel Tower
Iconic view of the Eiffel Tower up close in one of the closest streets to it. You can frame the iconic landmark with classic Parisian architecture. As you can see from the above photos it can get very busy here so I would recommend going early.
Where to find it?
228 Rue de l’Université.
Best time to visit
Early morning for less crowds. But in terms of when in the calendar year is best to visit for colourful trees? Any time in mid-late October and into November.
Arc de Triomphe
During autumn, the iconic landmark is surrounded by colourful golden trees. Especially on either side of the Champs-Elysees. Also a magnificent view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe with the tree lined streets coming off the roundabout that it sits on – buy skip the line tickets.
Best time to visit
Trees around these streets change later in autumn so are probably at their best colour from the end of October into November. But as there are varying tree species, they will all differ so you should see spots of colour somewhere all autumn.
Medici Fountain
Luxembourg Gardens is beautiful at any time, but shrouded in golden leaves it’s a gorgeous place to photograph, especially this fountain.
Where to find it?
East of Luxembourg Gardens.
Best time to visit
The gardens have colours from early October or even late September depending on conditions due to different tree species. Around the fountain, the most colourful time to visit is between mid-October to mid-November.
Belville Park
Parc de Belleville is a small park a little out of the city but with great views. One area has a staircase with a tunnel roof that’s been taken over by leaves and looks gorgeous as they’re changing in autumn.
Place des Vosges
A gorgeous manicured garden with a central fountain and perfectly trimmed trees bordering it which turn a beautiful shade of yellow and orange come autumn time. The buildings surrounding the garden are also an orangey-red colour which beautifully compliments the trees. A picture perfect scene.
Tour Eiffel Garden
Under one of the most famous landmarks in the world, you will find a park with large open green spaces. You can enjoy a picnic on the grass flanked by golden trees with some local bread, cheese and wine. How very French! But either side of these open grassy areas are lines of trees that also turn beautiful hues of yellow and orange which is great for photos with the
All parks
Basically any of the stunning parks around Paris will be colourful & beautiful. Some of my favourites include:
- Bois De Boulogne – a large park that used to be old royal hunting grounds. Now it’s a huge public park with lakes, nature trails & botanical gardens.
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont – 19th-century park in former quarry, with tall trees, lake, waterfalls and old, iron railway bridge.
- Trocadero Gardens – the small park right opposite the river from the Eiffel Tower so a great spot to capture leafy shots with the tower lurking in the background.
- Jardin des Plantes – Vast park with plant species grown in botanical & alpine gardens & restored 19th-century hothouses with free entry.
- Jardin du Luxembourg – 17th-century park with elegantly designed gardens, trees planted in patterns & statues.
- Île aux Cygnes – Skinny island with a tree lined walkway that turns golden in autumn and benches to sit and admire the Seine and Eiffel Tower.
If you want to know more about the Paris Map, here are some more details:
