Louvre Photoshoot in Paris: Best Photo Spots & Tips

A Louvre Photoshoot: the Most Iconic Backdrop in Paris

As mentioned in my previous article about the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre is the world's most visited art museum, welcoming nearly 9 million visitors a year. After the garden, let's get closer to the museum building itself. The good news for a Louvre photoshoot: you don't need to go inside. Everything happens outdoors, in and around the palace's magnificent courtyards.

  • couple in love kissing under the arch near the Louvre in paris by philarty
  • couple in love near the Louvre pyramid in paris by philarty
  • beautiful couple walking near the Louvre in paris by philarty
  • lady in red and her husband walking near the Louvre in paris by philarty
couple in love kissing under the arch near the Louvre in paris by philarty
couple in love near the Louvre pyramid in paris by philarty
beautiful couple walking near the Louvre in paris by philarty
lady in red and her husband walking near the Louvre in paris by philarty

The Louvre complex looks stunning in the frame no matter which way you turn. From the classical architecture of the palace to the modern glass pyramids, from the quiet elegance of the Cour Carrée to the endless picturesque arches and passages, it's one of the most versatile photo locations in the whole city. It works beautifully for couple sessions, engagements, elopements, family portraits and street-style or fashion photography alike.

The Best Photo Spots Around the Louvre

Every corner of the Louvre offers something different for your Paris photoshoot:

  • The glass pyramids: the signature shot. Symmetrical, modern, instantly recognisable. Best at sunrise with no crowds around.
  • family of five walking near the Louvre pyramids in paris by philarty
  • family of four sitting near the Louvre pyramids in paris by philarty
  • Beautiful couple walking with the Louvre pyramid on the back
family of five walking near the Louvre pyramids in paris by philarty
family of four sitting near the Louvre pyramids in paris by philarty
Beautiful couple walking with the Louvre pyramid on the back
  • The Cour Carrée (Square Court): my favorite quiet corner. Calm, symmetrical and almost empty at golden hour, perfect for intimate couple portraits.
  • Gorgeous couple embraced at the Louvre cour carree in Paris. Photo by PhilArty
  • stunning gay couple at the cour carree Louvre in Paris
  • Beautiful couple sitting at the Louvre cour carree in Paris. Photo by PhilArty
  • Couple in love walking at the Louvre cour carree in Paris. Photo by PhilArty
Gorgeous couple embraced at the Louvre cour carree in Paris. Photo by PhilArty
stunning gay couple at the cour carree Louvre in Paris
Beautiful couple sitting at the Louvre cour carree in Paris. Photo by PhilArty
Couple in love walking at the Louvre cour carree in Paris. Photo by PhilArty
  • Passage Richelieu: the covered arcade linking the Louvre to Place Colette. Dramatic light, elegant arches, and a natural bridge toward the Palais Royal next door. 
  • Stunning silhouette of couple kissing under an arch near the Louvre pyramid in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
  • silhouette of a family in the passage richelieu near the Louvre in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
  • silhouette of a person with umbrella walking under an arch near the Louvre pyramid in Paris.
  • Gorgeous lesbian couple in red kissing under the arch of passage Richelieu at the Louvre pyramid in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
Stunning silhouette of couple kissing under an arch near the Louvre pyramid in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
silhouette of a family in the passage richelieu near the Louvre in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
silhouette of a person with umbrella walking under an arch near the Louvre pyramid in Paris.
Gorgeous lesbian couple in red kissing under the arch of passage Richelieu at the Louvre pyramid in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
  • The outer arches and colonnades: timeless architectural frames for editorial and fashion-style images.
  • Beautiful couple discussing in a Louvre gallery in Paris. Black and white photo by PhilArty.
  • Happy family posing at the Louvre in Paris with the pyramid on the background
  • Happy family of three walking in a gallery at the Louvre in Paris
  • mother and daughter discussing at the Louvre in Paris with the pyramid on the background
Beautiful couple discussing in a Louvre gallery in Paris. Black and white photo by PhilArty.
Happy family posing at the Louvre in Paris with the pyramid on the background
Happy family of three walking in a gallery at the Louvre in Paris
mother and daughter discussing at the Louvre in Paris with the pyramid on the background

And a few more I keep up my sleeve: I'll show you some of my favorite lesser-known corners on the day, spots most visitors walk right past without noticing. Part of the fun of a guided photoshoot is discovering the Louvre through a photographer's eyes.

  • Gorgeous couple smiling at the Louvre metro in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
  • Cute gay couple sitting at the Louvre in Paris
  • Eloped couple kissing at the Louvre metro in Paris
  • Gorgeous family posing at the Louvre in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
  • Handsome gay couple kissing at the Louvre metro station in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
  • Beautiful queer couple in red at the Louvre in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
  • Gorgeous couple kissing at the Louvre in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
  • Mysterious couple standing at the Louvre metro in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
Gorgeous couple smiling at the Louvre metro in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
Cute gay couple sitting at the Louvre in Paris
Eloped couple kissing at the Louvre metro in Paris
Gorgeous family posing at the Louvre in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
Handsome gay couple kissing at the Louvre metro station in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
Beautiful queer couple in red at the Louvre in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
Gorgeous couple kissing at the Louvre in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.
Mysterious couple standing at the Louvre metro in Paris. Photo by PhilArty.

Prefer to be in the photos, not behind the camera? I'll guide you to the best light and angles at the Louvre so you can simply enjoy the moment. See couple photoshoots in Paris

Best Time for a Louvre Photoshoot

For the best light and the fewest people, sunrise is unbeatable. The palace glows in soft golden tones and the pyramid courtyard is almost empty, something you'll never see at midday. 

 

Photographer's tip: the Louvre courtyards are open-air and accessible even when the museum is closed. In fact, Tuesday is my secret weapon: the museum itself is shut, so the courtyards are far quieter and you get those iconic backdrops with far fewer crowds in the frame.

 

To get there: take the metro to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station.

Want to Be in the Photos?

A Louvre photoshoot is one of the most memorable ways to capture your time in Paris. I'll guide you to the best light and angles, from the pyramids to the hidden Cour Carrée, so all you have to do is enjoy the moment.

Discover Paris photoshoots or get in touch to plan your session.

 

Continue the walk: from the Louvre, it's just a few steps to the Palais Royal and the Pont des Arts.

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