May 13, 2023

Best Cherry Blossoms in Paris, France

Before you go:
Travel insurance: SafetyWing

Sharing my Paris cherry blossom guide with you on the must see cherry blossom hotspots in Paris that I visited during my trip to Paris in April 2023.

1. Trocadero Gardens: The Trocadero Gardens offer stunning views of the Eiffel Tower all year round, making it a popular spot for tourists. During spring, the views are extra special (in my opinion) as the gardens are also home to cherry blossom trees that provide as a beautiful addition to any photo. The trees bloom in various shades of pink, and their delicate flowers contrast beautifully against the greenery of the gardens. Cherry blossom photography in Paris is very popular with countless photographers shooting their clients are the various locations. There are several vantage points in the gardens that offer great views of the Eiffel Tower and the cherry blossom trees. The gardens are particularly popular during sunrise and sunset, when the light is soft, golden and the colours of the sky complement the cherry blossoms.

My top tip to you for where to shoot during sunrise vs other times during the day/sunset:

Sunrise: Shoot on the pathway which is to the right of the Eiffel Tower when you are looking at it. The reason I would suggest this/the preference for me and others to shoot from this side for sunrise is because the sunrise light hits that side of the Trocadero Gardens first creating a magical golden glow.

Sunset (including other times of the day): Shoot on the pathway which is to the left of the Eiffel Tower when you are looking at it. While it is surely to be busy, it may be less crowded than the pathway on the righthand side as that appears to be the popular (trending) side to shoot on. I think this has happened by default as people start shooting on that side from sunrise.

2. Petit Palais: The Petit Palais (literal translation being “small palace”) is a stunning building that is home to a museum housing fine art. The building is really grand and anything but small. It was built in 1900 for a universal exhibition.

It is FREE to visit and explore
It has a beautiful courtyard/garden inside
Outside of the Petit Palais you will find a beautiful cherry blossom tree to the right of the building which creates for beautiful framing of the architecture of the Petit Palais. The pink blooms of the cherry blossoms contrast against the blue sky and the golden stone of the building, creating a picture-perfect setting for Instagram photos.

3. Square Gabriel-Pierne: This small park is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris and is home to several (many) cherry blossom trees. The park is quiet and tranquil and I suggest going here after doing a sunrise shoot at the Trocadero Gardens. The cherry blossom trees in this park bloom in the most beautiful shades of pink. The park has a fountain and several benches which you can use to incorporate in your photos with the cherry blossoms. This small park is generally a great spot for a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

4. Place Camille Claudel: This square is located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris next to Falguière Metro Station. This location, just as with Square Gabriel-Pierne is quiet and makes it the perfect spot to visit after a sunrise mission. I combined this location after the sunrise shoot at Trocadero Gardens, Square Gabriel-Pierne and then headed here. The backdrop of the iconic Parisian metro sign makes for a unique Instagram photo.

5. Shakespeare and Company: This iconic bookstore in Paris is known for its beautiful façade, but during spring, it is also home to several cherry blossom trees that line the street. The cherry blossoms in front of the bookstore bloom in shades of pink, and the colourful books in the bookstore’s windows create a beautiful backdrop. I would suggest shooting here first thing in the morning for sunrise as the golden glow that shines on the storefront creates perfect lighting.

6. Square Paul Langevin: This small square is located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. The square is surrounded by historic buildings. The cherry blossoms in this square bloom in shades of pinky white. The historic buildings in the background provide a beautiful contrast to the delicate cherry blossoms and the scene screams Paris vibes.

7. Jardin des Plantes: This botanical garden is home to several cherry blossom trees that bloom in the spring. This garden covers an area of 28 hectares and is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris (in my opinion). Google tells me that Jardin des Plantes has been a popular tourist destination since the 17th century, and it is home to over 4,500 different plant species.

You will find the cherry blossoms here come in a variety of colours – dark pink, pink and white. The most Instagram famous cherry blossom in Jardin des Plantes is the dark pink cherry blossom tree at the beginning of the long path in the garden that brings you to the Grande galerie de l’évolution (Natural History Museum). To the right of the dark pink cherry blossom tree you will find the most beautiful 100% white cherry blossom tree. I recommend taking a stroll around the garden as there are many other cherry blossom trees that make for the perfect backdrop of a spring photoshoot in Paris.