Picture yourself in Paris. (Off to a good start, right?) Now picture an amazing sunset in Paris- only, you’re stuck in the metro/blocked by buildings/nowhere near anywhere you would want to be to fully take in the beauty as only nature (and Paris) can provide. Well, no longer- I’ve rounded up the 5 best sunset spots in Paris, and almost all of them are free! (the only one that isn’t is worth it, trust me)
We’ll start with the paid one first: the Arc de Triomphe. Despite the 284 steps (elevators are only available to the handicapped and pregnant), it’s completely worth the climb for the amazing panoramic view over the city. The sun shifts depending on the season, so sometimes it will be over La Defense, the business district just to the west of the city, or in between La Defense and the Eiffel Tower. Either way, you get front-row seats for the sunset, overlooking the Champs-Elysees to the east, the Eiffel Tower to the southeast, and Sacre-Coeur on top of Montmartre to the northeast. In terms of best sunset spots in Paris, the view gets it a high marking, but the fee drags it down a bit.
Hours: 10-22:30 (1 October- 31 March); 10-23:00 (1 April- 30 September). Last entry 45 mins before close. Closed 1 January, 1 May, 14 July, and 25 December, and the mornings of 8 May and 11 November. More info here.
Entry fee: 12€ full price; 9€ for 18-25 from outside of the EU. Free for under 26 if EU resident (must provide proof).
Another personal favorite vantage point is from the Jardin des Tuileries. If you go towards the big gold-gated entrance that leads to Place de la Concorde, but instead of exiting, go up the hill to the right, you get this great view over the Eiffel Tower in the distance with the added bonus of the Grande Roue (Ferris wheel) to make it more visually interesting. This is one of my go-to spots when I don’t have time to get to the others!
I love the back of the Cathédral Notre Dame more than the front, so it’s just to my liking that the sun sets so conveniently towards the front. Pont de la Tournelle is the perfect place to capture these sunsets, not only because you’re right off the Île Saint Louis which is a prime picnicking spot in the summer, but because it allows you to capture the sunset’s colors on the water as well as in the sky.
The Pont Alexandre III, named for Tsar Alexander III of Russia, is regarded by most as the most beautiful bridge in the city, and I’m definitely not going to dispute that. Between the Art Nouveau streetlamps, ornate gold details, and the four massive winged statues at the corners of the bridge, it’s a stunning piece of architecture that also happens to photograph very well, especially under a sunset. While the bridge itself, shown above, is gorgeous, it also happens to have a pretty good view on the Eiffel Tower to add even more Paris-ness to your sunset viewing.
Aaand last but not least (and the location of one of my most popular Instagram photos to date), the Terrasse du Printemps– that is, the rooftop of the department store Printemps- has become one of my go-to best sunset spots in Paris, and not only because I live on the same metro line. I mean, how can you pass up this view? I’ve also gotten some awesome Paris rooftops shots from here, and there’s a cafe on the rooftop where you can get a small coffee for 2 or 3 euros. Definitely a nice place to go chill with a view, especially because they have wifi!
And as they say- if you can’t be in the place with the best sunset view, love the sunset view you’ve got. Sometimes it might surprise you! This is rue de Charonne, in my neighborhood.
How many of these make YOUR list of the best sunset spots in Paris? Where was the best sunset you’ve ever seen?
Like this post? Pin it for your next trip to Paris and to share with other sunset lovers!
30 Comments
Elisa martinez
atMan you got the best ones. Jealous. When i went, it was overcast all day and gloomy.
Emily
atHaha well, I live here so it makes it a bit easier! You’ll have better weather next time!
Meghan
atI am headed to paris in less than 2 weeks. These suggestions will definitely come In handy! Thanks for sharing!
itinera magica
atThese are really, really good tips and great pictures, thank you for such a great post! Pinning it!
Nam | Laugh Travel Eat
atThe sunsets are beautiful – more testimony to the fact that Paris is pure magic! Love the tips!
Cynthia
atTHese are stunning photos! Thanks for the suggestions of where to go for the best place. And, I totally agree with you, the back of Notre-dame is much more interesting!
Aubrie
atThese pictures are seriously incredible! To be honest, i didn’t have the best time in Paris the first time I went, but these pictures are making me want to give it a second chance!
Emily
atHonestly, I despised it the first couple times I visited- it was only after moving here that I began to love it! Definitely give it another chance- and come in the spring, when it’s prettiest 😉
Renee from Renee Roaming
atWow these photos are all so gorgeous! Thank you for the tips – I love photography and can’t wait to get back to Paris one day 🙂
Chetan Jadhav
atBingo!!!
Looks like a professional photo-shoot, seriously these have come out damn pretty.
The real nature showing its beauty.
Just loved it
Cheers 🙂
Silvia
atomg so nice!! Amazing Photo!
Laure
atThank you so much for sharing! Paris is my absolute favorite city and i am lucky enough to be moving there in january for a semester-long exchange. seeing your photos literally made my heart ache from how much i miss this city and how excited i am to call it my home even just for a few months! you may not have intended it to be that way but the picture which touched my heart the most was the one from your neighborhood – paris authenticity, just how i picture it when i daydream about it. love from switzerland!
Michelle Dela Cerna
athI i’M MICHELLE FROM Dubai. sUNSET IN PARIS IS TOTALLY AMAZING! tHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING SUCH BEAUTIFUL STORY. pARIS IS IN MY bUCKET LIST!
Felisa x bucketlistbelles
atWow love these spots!! Thank you for this! Can’t wait for my trip to Paris now
Amazing Secret Places
atI love to see Sunset in all over the world. This is the divine feelings that I like most. Watching sunset is really amazing, no one wants to miss it.
Desert Safari Dubai
atHello from Dubai
I loved the pictures you captured in Paris for sunset – And your photography skills are superb. Love from Dubai. Keep up the good work.
Desert Safari Dubai
atSo Beautiful photos. I like Photography. Thanks for Sharing.
Desert Safari
atAmazing Photography!!! Lovely shots. Eiffel Tower looks amazing!
Desert safari
atParis is best!
Ayesha Ahmed
atwow great post
Ronnie
atTHANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY. My family and I will be visiting soon and your insights are an inspiration. No wonder Monet loved the pinks and oranges.
Liza
atI have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
thanks admin
John
atWow incredible blog.. nice information
quad bike
atgreat View of sunset in PARIS.
Travel Center
atWow!! Really beautiful photos you have there! 🙂
I really like the spots on your list, and I’ve been to each one of them; The sunset is so wonderful there …
Sabina
atWhat a wonderful post and very interesting pictures!
desertsafari
atWow!! Really beautiful photos you have there!
MyShopper
atLove these great sunset spots in Paris hope to visit these spots one time and see its beauty by my own eyes
MyShopper
atVery eye catchy scenes from Paris wonderful to watch
Suzy
atThese are all amazing spots (and photos!), thanks for sharing! I have to say the best sunset I’ve ever seen in Paris was from Tour Montparnasse, pricey but worth it!