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Paris

The 5 Best Sunset Spots in Paris

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)

Sunset from the top of the Arc de Triomph- 5 Best Sunset Spots in Paris

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).

Sunset from Jardin des Tuileries over Concorde- 5 Best Sunset Spots in Paris

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!

Sunset over Notre Dame from Pont de la Tournelle- 5 Best Sunset Spots in Paris

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.

Sunset over Pont Alexandre III- 5 Best Sunset Spots in Paris

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.

sunset-over-pont-alexandre-the-glittering-unknown-5

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!

Sunset from the Terrasse du Printemps- 5 Best Sunset Spots in Paris

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.

Sunset on rue de Charonne- 5 Best Sunset Spots in Paris

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!

 

5 Best Sunset Spots in Paris

  • Reply
    Elisa martinez
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    Man you got the best ones. Jealous. When i went, it was overcast all day and gloomy.

    • Reply
      Emily
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      Haha well, I live here so it makes it a bit easier! You’ll have better weather next time!

  • Reply
    Meghan
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    I am headed to paris in less than 2 weeks. These suggestions will definitely come In handy! Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    itinera magica
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    These are really, really good tips and great pictures, thank you for such a great post! Pinning it!

  • Reply
    Nam | Laugh Travel Eat
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    The sunsets are beautiful – more testimony to the fact that Paris is pure magic! Love the tips!

  • Reply
    Cynthia
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    THese 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!

  • Reply
    Aubrie
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    These 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!

    • Reply
      Emily
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      Honestly, 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 😉

  • Reply
    Renee from Renee Roaming
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    Wow 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 🙂

  • Reply
    Chetan Jadhav
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    Bingo!!!
    Looks like a professional photo-shoot, seriously these have come out damn pretty.
    The real nature showing its beauty.
    Just loved it
    Cheers 🙂

  • Reply
    Silvia
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    omg so nice!! Amazing Photo!

  • Reply
    Laure
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    Thank 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!

  • Reply
    Michelle Dela Cerna
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    hI 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!

  • Reply
    Felisa x bucketlistbelles
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    Wow love these spots!! Thank you for this! Can’t wait for my trip to Paris now

  • Reply
    Amazing Secret Places
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    I 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.

  • Reply
    Desert Safari Dubai
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    Hello 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.

  • Reply
    Desert Safari Dubai
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    So Beautiful photos. I like Photography. Thanks for Sharing.

  • Reply
    Desert Safari
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    Amazing Photography!!! Lovely shots. Eiffel Tower looks amazing!

  • Reply
    Desert safari
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    Paris is best!

  • Reply
    Ayesha Ahmed
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    wow great post

  • Reply
    Ronnie
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    THANK 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.

  • Reply
    Liza
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    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.
    thanks admin

  • Reply
    John
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    Wow incredible blog.. nice information

  • Reply
    quad bike
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    great View of sunset in PARIS.

  • Reply
    Travel Center
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    Wow!! 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 …

  • Reply
    Sabina
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    What a wonderful post and very interesting pictures!

  • Reply
    desertsafari
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    Wow!! Really beautiful photos you have there!

  • Reply
    MyShopper
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    Love these great sunset spots in Paris hope to visit these spots one time and see its beauty by my own eyes

  • Reply
    MyShopper
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    Very eye catchy scenes from Paris wonderful to watch

  • Reply
    Suzy
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    These 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!

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