The Ultimate Instagrammer’s Guide to Paris

Situated on fashionable Avenue Montaigne, Hotel Plaza Athénée has been the definition of Parisian chic since its debut in 1913. From the iconic red canvas awnings and dozens of window boxes of geraniums, to the futuristic design of the reflective metallic banquettes at Alain Ducasse’s three-star Michelin restaurant, this classic luxury hotel is prime Instagram real estate. dorchestercollection.com

The Luxembourg Gardens, inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, were fashioned upon the order of Queen Marie de Medici in 1612. The 55-acre park grounds are situated on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, and are open to visitors year round for its wide range of activities. Unique park features include an apple orchard, formal gardens, and an apiary where you can learn about beekeeping. In warmer months, you’ll find a traditional scene of children sailing colorful toy boats across the Grand Bassin.

Currently ranked among the 50 best restaurants in the world, Septime is praised as one of leading contemporary tasting menus in Paris. Bertrand Grébault’s Michelin starred restaurant in the 11th arrondissement is still a perennial favorite where diners enjoy a seasonally-focused menu in a relaxed setting within the rustic, industrial designed space. septime-charonne.fr

Spread across the third and fourth arrondissement, the Marais is considered one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Paris—characterized by its old-world charm of cobblestone streets lined with boutiques and art galleries. You’ll find great people-watching and perfect Instagram moments at Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in the city. Stroll under the arches or along the paths of the central garden, admiring the red brick facades of the grand homes that surround the square.

If you visit in the fall season, make sure to stop by Le Pavillon de la Reine at the north entrance to the park, to capture the bright autumnal red, yellow, and orange ivy overgrowing along the hotel’s exterior. pavillon-de-la-reine.com

Also located in the Marais, the Picasso Museum includes more than 5,000 works and tens of thousands of archive pieces from the famed artist. Housed in a 17th-century mansion, the museum reopened in 2014 after undergoing an extensive five-year renovation—doubling the size of the exhibition space. museepicassoparis.fr

With over 100 museums in the city, there is no shortage of art to see. But beyond the Louvre you can discover the subculture arts scene of Paris just by roaming the streets. Spotted: a Gucci-clad ‘modern family’ depicted in “Future is Female” by COMBO, and “L'orpheline x Delacroix” by Outings Project. combo-streetart.com; outings-project.org.

Napoleon III commissioned the Palais Garnier Opera House, a 19th-century architectural masterpiece, as part of the renovation works in the capital carried out under his command by Baron Haussmann. A highlight when attending a ballet or opera at this historic monument is sitting beneath the magnificent ceiling painted by Chagall in the main auditorium. operadeparis.fr

Tucked away on a side street in the trendy 10th, Hôtel Providence features 18 rooms furnished in a mix of contemporary, vintage, and flea-market finds. The uniquely bespoke rooms include a jewel-box suite covered in ikat-patterned velvet fabric and a whimsical palm-patterned Art Deco wallpaper in the penthouse. hotelprovidenceparis.com

In the design world India Mahdavi if often referred to as the ‘queen of color’—in reference to her vivid color schemes, and famously for her bubblegum-hued design at Sketch, the most Instagrammed restaurant in London. Mahdavi has a number of notable projects in Paris such as the made-for-Instagram Hôtel Thoumieux and Café Germain, in addition to two showrooms and a studio that she keeps in the seventh arrondissement. india-mahdavi.com; thoumieux.fr; germainparis.com.

The iconic shopping centers of Paris transform into stunning, festive spectacles around the winter holiday season, showcasing a new artistic theme each year. Insta-ready highlights include the flashingly decorated Christmas tree that glistens beneath the stain-glassed dome at Galeries Lafayette, and the snowflake inspired design scape at Le Bon Marché. galerieslafayette.com; 24sevres.com.

Just a quick stroll from the Galeries Lafayette is the Art Deco-inspired boutique Hôtel Saint-Marc in the second arrondissement. The hotel’s 26 guest rooms and public spaces, designed by noted Milanese firm DIMORESTUDIO, exhibit an old school Parisian glamour including graphic black and white marble contrasted with sumptuous silk and velvet in hues of mustard yellow and blush pink. hotelsaintmarc.com

Merci is a concept boutique store selling unique wares spread over three floors. The space includes a clothing and design shop, restaurant, bookstore, and florist. Instagrammers will recognize Merci from the red Fiat that sits at the entrance—functioning as an art installation that gets updated with decoration seasonally. merci-merci.com

Marcel Proust frequented Les Bains when it was originally built as a spa and bath house in the late 19th century. Later reincarnated into a Philippe Starck-designed nightclub in the ‘70s, and catering to the hedonistic club scene which included the likes of Warhol, Bowie, and Jagger  through the ‘80s and ‘90s. After shutting its doors in 2010, Les Bains came back on the scene when it reopened five years later as a revamped boutique hotel, with its design and clubber-approved amenities honoring its storied nightlife past. lesbains-paris.com

The manicured and peaceful gardens at Palais-Royal sit adjacent to a surefire Instagram hit—the Colonnes de Buren art installation designed by French artist Daniel Buren. The 260 black and white candy striped octagonal columns have become a standard backdrop to countless fashion and influencer photo shoots.

Wedged between a row of buildings in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, the Pigalle Duperré is a basketball court designed in collaboration between French creative agency Ill-Studio and high-end streetwear mecca and fashion house, Pigalle. The court is open to visitors and can be entered via rue Duperré (check the Pigalle Instagram page for the most up-to-date operating hours). The vibrant fashion-inspired space is currently wrapped in color blocks and gradient fades of hot pink and magenta, bright blue, and golden yellow. instagram.com

Pink Mamma is just down the street from the basketball court. The multi-floored restaurant and speakeasy is the latest opening from Paris’ Big Mamma group, specializing in grilled food, pizza and barbecue. The restaurant is seemingly designed for Instagram, as one greenhouse style floor is filled with orange trees and wild ivy that grows around exposed beams. bigmammagroup.com

This hilly, enchanting neighborhood is widely recognized by its winding cobblestone streets with quaint boutiques and restaurants such as La Maison Rose—an Insta-famous cafe with pink walls and green painted shutters.

On your way to the pilgrimage-worthy Sacre Coeur, you’ll come across one of the most popular optical illusions found on Instagram—the “Sinking House”. On the steep trek up to basilica there is a small grassy field with the tip of a building peeking out from behind. To the naked eye, the building appears upright, but if you turn your camera about 45 degrees to align with the grass, you capture the “sinking house” effect.

Hidden in the seventh arrondissement is an 18th century mansion housing the permanent collections of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Shared across two sites, the works include 6,600 sculptures, 8,000 drawings, 8,000 old photographs, and 7,000 objets d’art. Stroll through the extensive grounds and discover some of the master’s major works: The Thinker, The Kiss and The Gates of Hell. musee-rodin.fr

With two locations in Paris (Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Marais), L’Officine Universelle Buly 1803 is a must-visit boutique for luxurious, very giftable artisanal toothpastes, candles, fragrances, and hand creams. The decor is inspired by 17th century apothecaries, with weathered wood details, tiled floors, and marble countertops. The Marais location also includes a dried flower shop in the back and a café fashioned in Belle Époque style.  buly1803.com

Once an active railway station on the left bank of Paris’ Seine River, the Musée d'Orsay is now a museum that holds one of the largest collections of impressionist and post-Impressionist works in the world, including masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Cézanne, and Van Gogh.

Once you’ve finished perusing the collections and admiring the Beaux-Arts architecture, head towards the clock that is located on the third floor of the museum. If you look out from the clock dial, you’re presented with one of the prettiest views of Paris. musee-orsay.fr

Situated at the ritzy Place Vendôme, this opulent 18th century building is where the iconic Vuitton brand's history started over 160 years ago when Louis Vuitton opened his first store here. The headquarters was spread across two buildings fashioned by Jules-Hardouin Mansart, the architect for the Palace of Versailles. Last year, the Paris flagship was reborn with an updated design by architect Peter Marino, including the addition of a striking golden sunburst art piece installed over the facade. louisvuitton.com

Constantin Brancusi, a major artist in the history of modern sculpture, created most of his works in the studios which he owned in the 15th arrondissement. Upon his death in the 1950s, the sculptor left his workshop and its contents to the Musée National d'Art Moderne in Paris on condition that the space be rebuilt as it was on the day he died. An identical replica of Brancusi's studio was completed in the late nineties by architect Renzo Piano across from the Centre Pompidou. It features a unique collection of 137 sculptures, 87 pedestals, 41 drawings, 2 paintings and more than 1,600 photographic glass plates and original prints. centrepompidou.fr

Centered at the Place de l’Etoile overlooking the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe is the biggest arch in the world and notably the most touristy spot on our roundup. From the top of the monument visitors benefit from a picture-perfect panoramic view of Paris, making the trek up 284 spiraling stairs worth it for the shot. paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr

Whether you’re coming or going to Paris by plane, you’ll likely pass through France’s largest airport, Charles de Gaulle. The polished arched woodwork and contrasting bold red carpeting at Terminal 2 places CDG among one of the most beautiful European boarding halls.