10 best sights in Paris for a photo walk during your elopement trip

Whilst we are all waiting for the lockdown in Europe to cease down, we decided to make a list of the most amazing places to visit for your wedding plans in 2021 – let it be an elopement trip or a honeymoon. To introduce you to the most worthy spots in Paris we asked Valeriya Vygodnaya to give us clues. Valeria is the founder of the “Carsons Concierge” concierge service, which not only provides recommendations on the choice of places for recreation or events, but also can easily organize a visit to the most intimate places in Paris and London with the best experts. Valeriya is also a co-founder of Facts & Dreams – a project of extraordinary travels through the history of culture and fashion, offering educational programs with the best experts in the fashion and art industry. She started her career as a fashion editor at Instyle Russia magazine and then worked at renowned Russian Snob magazine. After graduating from the London University of Arts, she worked as a fashion and ballet photographer, exhibiting in galleries in London, Paris and St. Petersburg. In France, Valeriya studied at the Louvre School and worked at the Parisian fair FIAC, which is considered one of the largest exhibitions of contemporary art in Europe. She opened Double Vie Photography studios in London and Paris. Valeriya knows about the city of lovers more than many Parisians and has shared with you the most picturesque locations for your potential visit.

Location #1

Hotel Lutetia on Raspail Boulevard. It is a true legend of the Parisian artistic district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the only Grand Hotel on the Left Bank of the city. The north facade of the hotel, facing the intersection of rue de Sèvres and boulevard Raspail, has been reproduced many times on postcards. Sculptor Paul Belmondo, father of the French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, took part in the decoration. The Lutetia Hotel became famous as a place where celebrities stayed. Picasso and Matisse, Boris Vian, Jean Cocteau, Albert Camus, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and the French existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre lived here for a long time. The hotel is associated with the name of Serge Gainsbourg, and in the 1980s, the interiors of Lutetia were redesigned by the fashion designer Sonia Rykiel and sculptor Armand. The current reconstruction, which lasted four years, was carried out by renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. A perfect day in Paris is to wake up in a refurbished hotel room and head to a café overlooking Park Monceau, reminiscent of London's Kensington Park. After breakfast, take a walk in the park, take a taxi and go to the Invalides area.

Location #2

Les Invalides in the VII arrondissement of Paris with an esplanade, which has become one of the most popular places for entertainment, walks and relaxation in the shade of trees. This point offers a stunning view of the Grand Palais and the Alexander III bridge, famous for its luxurious decoration. The bridge arches on one side adorn the figures of the Seine nymphs and the coat of arms of France, and on the other, the nymphs of the Neva and the coat of arms of Imperial Russia – a gilded double-headed eagle.

Location #3

Museum of Fine Arts Petit Palais. In addition to the main exhibition, where you can see interior elements, tapestries, paintings and sculptures, the main photographic attraction is an openwork wrought-iron staircase and a cafe with an inner courtyard. In this heavenly place, you can sit at a table with a cup of coffee and a fresh croissant, admire the frescoed vault, and of course take some pictures.

Location #4

Avenue de Camoens is the most Instagrammed point in Paris, where all bloggers, top models and couples are photographed. It is located in the XVI district near the Trocadero. A stunning view of the Eiffel Tower opens up from here.

Location #5

Bir Hakeim is a legendary bridge that often serves as a filming location. Scenes on it can be seen in the films “Lift to the Scaffold” by Louis Malle and “Last Tango in Paris” by Bernardo Bertolucci, as well as “Ronin”, “Taxi 2”, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”, “Little Indian, Big City”, “Inception”, “Dexter” and others. This two-level bridge offers beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower and the banks of the Seine.

Location #7

Auguste Rodin Museum. It is housed in a beautiful 18th century mansion surrounded by a garden. The museum's collection contains the largest collection of the French sculptor, including one of his most recognizable works, “The Kiss”. Christian Dior's couture collections were shown several times in the museum garden, and one of the scenes from Woody Allen's film “Midnight in Paris” was filmed in its park labyrinth.

Location #8

Weather permitting, you can rent a boat and enjoy a private lunch ride on the Seine. You can't imagine a more picturesque place for a photo shoot with glasses of champagne! If the budget is limited, there are group lunches.

Location #9

Opera Garnier. Its splendor was praised not only by artists, artists, but also by photographers who sought to capture the beauty and grace of the palace. Take a photo of the opera building and its luxurious interiors. Alternatively, you can arrange for a photo walk during a guided opera backstage tour and arrange a photo shoot in the spectacular hall of the palace.

The Hotel Ritz on Place Vendôme is ideal for a beautiful evening elopement photo shoot with a glass of champagne after the opera in the Hemingway Bar. You can even stay at this hotel by arranging shooting in one of the rooms and even on the balcony overlooking the Place Vendôme.

Location #10

Montmartre is one of the most romantic and amazing places in Paris. Its cobbled streets, rustic charm and postcard views are unlikely to leave you indifferent. An incredible panorama of the city opens from the steps at the Sacré-Coeur Basilica and observation platforms.

We suggest having a walk in an empty Paris during the quarantine looking at the images taken by a Paris based photographer Daria Lorman together in a cooperation with Samantha Bottelier – a wedding planner.