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120 Beautiful Photos of Paris to Fill You With Wanderlust

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It should come as no surprise then that it was during my year abroad in Paris that I discovered my love for photography.

Here I’ve compiled some of my favourite pictures taken ever ever in the heart of beautiful Paris including passages, museums, cafes & restaurants, books, architecture and a new category: people watching.

In Paris you usually sit side by side with your fellow diner, so really it’s the city that invented people watching.

Here are 120 beautiful pictures of Paris that will make you want to hop on a plane to France!

Parisian Passages

Paris is known for its passages, many of which date back to the eighteenth century.

They are reminiscent of the glorious belle époque and stepping into one of these passages can really make you feel like you’ve been transported to another era.

There are so many hidden passages and archways in Paris but most of these are from my number one favourite, and arguably the most beautiful passage in Paris: the Galerie Vivienne.

Located in the 2nd arrondissement, this is one of the most beautiful passages Paris has to offer because of its brightly lit, cream interiors. Now go on, have a little scroll of these Paris photos…

Parisian Museums

When you think of museums in Paris, of course, the Louvre is the first that springs to mind.

You might be surprised, then, to see that I haven’t included the Louvre and its beautiful glass pyramid amongst these images of Paris.

The Louvre is big, grand and beautiful, but there are actually so many smaller, under-appreciated museums in Paris that deserve recognition.

Read about 10 museums in Paris that aren’t the Louvre here.

These pictures include Le Petit Palais, Musee Rodin, Gustave-Moreau and more. Those that look like deleted scenes from Game of Thrones are from the Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy!

Cafés and Restaurant

Paris is first and foremost, for me, the city of food. I simultaneously discovered my love for photography and food whilst living in this beautiful city so, of course, that morphed into a passion for taking photos of food.

I am a blogger after all…

Here are just a couple beautiful facades and interiors from some restaurants in Paris that give but a tiny taste of what this beautiful city has to offer.

La Maison Rose is one of the best photo spots in Paris because of its iconic pink exterior. Its located in Montmartre, an area of Paris teeming with photo opportunities.

For beautiful exteriors, interiors and amazing food, visit Du Pain et Des Idées, the best bakery in Paris. There’s Boot Cafe and Holybelly for great coffee and Hero for amazing Korean bites.

Read more about the best brunch in Paris at Holybelly

Books in Paris

Paris has a rich literary history with the likes of Hemingway, Oscar Wilde, and F Scott Fitzgerald flocking here in their youth.

Most of my favourite bookshops can be found in Paris (read about English bookshops in Paris here) so here are just a couple of photos that should demonstrate why all bookworms need to visit Paris!

Of course, there’s the infamous Shakespeare & Co, but Paris has so much more to offer and I hope these pictures will show you that. Bookshops, libraries, book cafes, bouquinistes – you’ll find it all.

Parisian Architecture

Now this one’s a biggie. One of the reasons Paris is seen as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, even the world, is undoubtedly due to the iconic Haussmann architecture, which dates back to the nineteenth century.

Paris has so many beautiful and iconic buildings but even the ordinary streets of Paris contain so much beauty. Can you tell I’m a little bit in love with this city?

This is a collection of photos that I’ve taken whilst out and about in Paris, mostly exteriors but some beautiful interiors too. Scroll down for pictures of Paris streets, pictures of the Eiffel Tower and more Paris scenery.

You’ll find the Palais Royal, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur and more iconic Parisian buildings.

People Watching in Paris

On one of my recent trips to Paris, I developed a strange liking for taking pictures of strangers, unawares. Not in a creepy way. I hope?

There are so many coffeeshops and restaurants in Paris where people like to spend the afternoon with a good book or an energising cup of coffee and I loved to capture these little candid moments from afar.

Here you’ll find photos of Paris from Boot Cafe, one of the best cafes in Paris, Place des Vosges, where Victor Hugo once lived, the view from Montmartre and la Musée de la vie romantique.

So there you have 120 beautiful photos of Paris that will make you want to hop on a plane! Have you fallen in love with Paris yet?

I know I am completely smitten with this beautiful city and I hope the above photographs show you why.

I lived there for 11 months during my third year of university and I’m so happy that I got to experience the everyday beauty of this wonderful city.

Pin now, read again later!

If you liked this post, check out these other posts about Paris:
10 Museums to Visit in Paris that Aren’t the Louvre
5 English Bookshops You Must Visit in Paris
Hotel Monte Cristo Paris Review
The Best Bakery in Paris: Du Pain et Des Idees
Travel Back In Time To The 18th Century Parisian Salon

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Laura

Editor of What’s Hot?

Laura is an award-winning travel and book blogger based in the UK. She studied French literature at Oxford University and is now an IP lawyer at a top law firm in London. She was named UK Book Blogger of the Year in 2019 and loves to combine her passion for books and travel with literary travel.

Eva

Tuesday 7th of May 2019

I love this post, the photo are so pretty! Paris has something really magical and unique, I love this city so much.

Laura

Thursday 9th of May 2019

Thanks so much, Eva! Paris is the most beautiful city in my opinion :p