Paris, Je T’aime: Architecture, Food and Photography

Arc de Triomphe is one of many sights here in Paris.

Why visit Paris? For me, the answer starts with architecture and quickly ends up involving food, art, and a camera that rarely stays in its bag. Every time I go, the city gets under my skin. By the end of the trip, leaving it seems oddly similar to saying goodbye to someone. Vivi has her own reasons to love Paris, particularly its parks, and we share a weakness for its food. Somewhere between the buildings, the gardens, and the macarons, a city break becomes a relationship with a city.

The Eiffel Tower is the familiar face of a city I keep wanting to revisit.

I cannot put that attachment down to one landmark. Paris gives us different things to enjoy without either of us having to compromise much. I can spend far too long looking at a building, while Vivi is more likely to steer us toward some greenery. Then there is the art, much of it outside museum walls. Statues, monuments, and the spaces around them give me plenty of reasons to stop and look again.

The Arc de Triomphe, one of the monuments that kept my camera busy.

Art in Paris extends beyond the museum galleries.

Vivi’s side of Paris: a little more greenery between the buildings.

Why Visit Paris for Art and Culture?

Art is one of the strongest reasons to visit Paris, whether your interests lead you toward museums or the sculptures scattered around the city. Seeing the Mona Lisa was part of our experience, and our photographs also reflect how often sculpture caught my attention. The range of cultural attractions makes choosing what to leave out the difficult part. I would happily give Paris a month, with time to explore without trying to turn every day into an endurance event.

Sculpture was another recurring subject in my Paris photographs.

The Mona Lisa. You may have come across her before.

Paris Architecture Through My Lens

Architecture is the main reason I keep reaching for my camera in Paris. The churches particularly impressed me, and Notre-Dame is an important part of that story. Our photograph below shows the cathedral before the 2019 fire. Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024, so it belongs on a visitor’s list again. The fire also prompted our reflection on the response to Notre-Dame, a separate opinion piece about what attracts public attention and concern.

Notre-Dame before the 2019 fire. The cathedral reopened in December 2024.

The Sainte-Chapelle interior in the next photographs made an even stronger impression on me. Its stained-glass windows were a particular highlight, and I also photographed the interior in black and white. That combination of structure and detail is a large part of why I enjoy photographing churches. For more of this side of our travels, our architecture photography collection brings together galleries and articles about looking at buildings through a lens.

The Sainte-Chapelle: One of the church interiors that made a lasting impression on me.

The stained glass was a particular highlight.

A different approach to the same subject, in black and white.

Food in Paris: Our Macaron Hunt

Food is a good enough reason for us to visit Paris on its own. Our hunt for macarons in Paris remains one of the food memories we return to, and the raspberry macaron in Vivi’s hand below explains some of the enthusiasm. I like that a small pastry can become as memorable as a major sight. Our interest in French cooking has followed us well beyond France, too. Our Le Normandie review in Bangkok explores a French dining experience in another city we love to eat in.

Vivi and a raspberry macaron, an important part of our Paris research.

Is Paris Good for Photographers?

Paris is a rewarding destination for photographers who enjoy architecture, city views, and street scenes. Those subjects all found their way into my photographs, and they give a trip variety without requiring a different destination for each interest. I would leave room in the day for looking around and returning to something that catches your attention. A packed sightseeing schedule and a photographer who keeps stopping are not always a happy combination. Vivi could probably explain this better than I can.

A city view from my Paris photography collection.

A street photograph from Paris.

Photographing Paris at Night

After dark, Paris gives me another reason to keep the camera out. I enjoy photographing the city’s lights, and sometimes I get carried away with abstract images. The results sit somewhere between a record of the place and my own enthusiasm for playing with a photograph. A recognizable night scene and a less recognizable experiment both have a place in my Paris collection.

Another reason to keep the camera out after dark.

Abstract photography, or Ian getting a little carried away again.

The Less Romantic Side of Paris

The city has its irritations, and street selling around the tourist sights was one of mine. Seeing vendors run from the police also interrupted the postcard version of the city. I would not pretend that every moment was romantic or relaxing. Those encounters belong in an honest account of our trip, alongside the buildings and food we enjoyed. They were frustrating moments, rather than the thing that defined Paris for us.

Plenty of gold in the photographs, with the usual city frustrations outside the frame.

Paris, Je T’aime

I would recommend Paris to travelers who enjoy art, architecture, food, and taking their time with a camera. What stays with me is the variety of our own photographs: monuments, stained glass, a macaron, street scenes, and experiments after dark. Vivi’s interest in parks gives our days another direction, which is part of why the city works so well for both of us. I still want a longer stay, with fewer decisions about what to leave for next time. Paris, je t’aime seems a reasonable way to put it.

Paris in the rain, still a city I want to return to.

Practical Notes for Visiting Paris

Detail	Information checked in October 2026
Trip focus	Art, architecture, food, parks, and photography.
Notre-Dame	The cathedral is open again. Admission is free, with an optional free reservation through its official website.
Louvre planning	Timed entry reservations are recommended, including for free-admission visitors. The museum is normally closed on Tuesdays.
Photography	Check each venue’s current photography and equipment rules before your visit.
Official visitor information	Notre-Dame reservations Louvre visitor information

Paris FAQ

Is Paris worth visiting for photography?

Yes, especially if you enjoy photographing buildings, cityscapes, street scenes, and the city after dark. Those subjects all appear in my Paris collection. Leave enough time to stop and look around between planned visits.

What makes Paris special beyond the Eiffel Tower?

For us, it is the combination of art, architecture, parks, and food. I am drawn to buildings and photography, Vivi enjoys the greenery, and our macaron hunt is a shared food memory.

Can you visit Notre-Dame Cathedral now?

Yes. Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024. Admission to the cathedral is free, and an optional free reservation can help with entry. Use the cathedral’s official website for current arrangements.

Should you book the Louvre in advance?

The Louvre recommends booking a timed entry slot, including for visitors eligible for free admission. The museum is normally closed on Tuesdays. Check its official visitor information before planning your day.