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Best spots to photograph: Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Last updated on April 15, 2019 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

The second icon of Paris, after the Eiffel Tower, is the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It stands in the middle of Paris on the La Cité island surrounded by the water of the Seine river. Below are some of the best spots to photograph this architectural gem while your are visiting the city of Paris, France.

Best spots to photograph Notre Dame Cathedral Paris
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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Map
1. From the place at the front
2. Getting the details from under its facade
3. From Petit-Pont (bridge)
4. From Pont au double (Bridge)
5. From Square René Viviani
6. From the Seine river Bank
7. From Pont the L'Archevêché (bridge)
8. From Square Jean XXIII
9. From Quai d'Orléans
10. From Pont de la Tournelle (bridge)
11. From under Pont de la Tournelle
12. From Pont de Sully (Bridge)
13. From the Montparnasse Tower
14. From the Saint-Jacques Tower

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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Map

Below is the map of the best spots to photograph the Notre Dame Cathedral - all numbers correspond to the vairous paragraph where you can discover why I loved the location, the photogrpahy opportunity and the photos I took.

Map best spots to photograph Notre Dame Cathedral Paris

Basis: Map data @2017 Google

The locations 5 and 11 were my favorites.

Note: the sun rises behind the ​Cathedral so the facade is better photographed late afternoon and the back in the morning.


1. From the place at the front

The most classic shot is of course from the place at the front of the building. Do not dream about having nobody in your pictures. This is one of the most touristic spots in Paris.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Parvis Notre Dame, Paris 3
Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Parvis Notre Dame, Paris 2
Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Parvis Notre Dame, Paris 1

2. Getting the details from under its facade

You can walk nup to the facade and discover the detailed architectures of each level. The work is very intricate and deserves some zoomed pictures.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: under the facade
Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: details 1
Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: details 2

3. From Petit-Pont (bridge)

Just at the end of the Parvis is a bridge opened to cars but with a large pedestrian walkway. Le Petit-pont offers nice views of the facade with the compliment of trees and minimized impact from tourists.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Petit-Pont, Paris

4. From Pont au double (Bridge)

Just next to the Cathedral is a small bridge for those interested in a side shot of the buidling. 

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Pont au double, Paris

5. From Square René Viviani

This was my favorite place. Accross the Seine River lies a small square named René Viviani. I love framing pictures with trees and flowers and this was the perfect place. Not many tourists were there and I was able to move around to play with the plants and take some interesting shots.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Square René Viviani, Paris
Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Square René Viviani, Paris 2
Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Square René Viviani, Paris 3

6. From the Seine river Bank

If you go down near the river between Pont au double and Pint the l'archevêché, you are at a prime location to admire the side of the Cathedral and its rosace. I also like how the plants are taking over the bridge.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: the opposite Seine river bank

7. From Pont the L'Archevêché (bridge)

Just behind the Cathedral is a bridge covered with locks (like many others - they might be removed). From there the Cathedral is partially hidden by trees but I think it is intriguing by leaving it to the imagination.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Pont de l'archeveche Paris 2
Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Pont de l'archeveche Paris

8. From Square Jean XXIII

Just behind the Cathedral is a garden that is free to enter, square Jean XXIII. A lot less people come to this side of the building. I think the intricates structure of the back is worth the few extra steps.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: Square Jean XXIII Paris

9. From Quai d'Orléans

Quai d'Orleans is the Seine river's bank just behind the Cathedral. I like the contrast with the neighbouring buildings. I think it represents Paris quite well.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: from Quai d'Orléans, Paris

10. From Pont de la Tournelle (bridge)

A bit further away, the Pont de la Tournelle offers a view of the island in the Seine river (ile de la Cité) where Notre Dame is located. I like how it creates and angle in front of it.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: from Pont de la Tournelle, Paris

I also zoomed from there because I think the Cathedral is very interesting from the back.

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: from Pont de la Tournelle, Paris 2

11. From under Pont de la Tournelle

One of my favorite spot to photograph Notre Dame was actually from under a bridge. I was having fun going up and down the Seine River banks when I found this tunnel. What a great way to frame the building, don't you think?

Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: under Pont de la Tournelle, Paris 2
Best spot to photograph Notre Dame from: under Pont de la Tournelle, Paris

12. From Pont de Sully (Bridge)

The further bridge where the view was still interesting was Pont de Sully. Althought the alignment of the previous bridge was not ideal, I like the extra arch and the boat under it.

Photo of Notre Dame from Pont de Sully, Paris

13. From the Montparnasse Tower

The Montparnasse Tower is quite high and far away but with a good zoom you could obtain a nice shot of the Cathedral surrounded by the roofs of Paris. Mine is not so good though... To learn more on how to get there, check my post about the views from the Montaparnasse tower.

View of Notre Dame from the Montparnasse Tower, Paris

14. From the Saint-Jacques Tower

My favorite rooftop view of Paris is from the Saint Jacques Tower. Access is limited so make sure to check my dedicated post to the tower and its views from the top terrace. Being more central, we had a fantastic view over the Notre Dame Cathedral.

View of Notre Dame from the Saint Jacques Tower, Paris

Want to see MORE of PARIS?

Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online Paris Travel Guide.

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Which one do you prefer? Any other to add?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melinda Lusmore says

    August 11, 2015 at 11:40 PM

    No 10 is usually my favourite but on my next visit, I am going to try for one from no 11. I love that view of the back of the church, especially when then gardens are in flower – so much detail and intricacy in the stonework.

    Reply
    • Claire Robinson says

      August 12, 2015 at 9:30 AM

      Thanks for your comment Melinda. Yes, there is so much detail in the architecture of this building! I will try capturing it in Autumn as well, when the leaves change colors, it must be stunning.

      Reply
  2. Brianna says

    May 5, 2021 at 10:24 AM

    Beautiful post! Thanks for all the great details and ideas! 🙂

    Reply

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