5 Unconventional Spots for Unique Photos at the Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is one of the most beloved art museums in the world, attracting millions of curious visitors every year.

The iconic glass pyramid is likely among the most photographed sites in Paris, second only to the Eiffel Tower.

Yet, we all want our snaps to be special and unforgettable.

So, if you plan on visiting Paris for your well-deserved holiday, here are some unconventional spots for unique photos at the Louvre Museum to make your captures stand out.

1. Pyramide du Louvre

The best photos don’t always require a lot of effort. Sometimes, something as simple as changing your angle can transform your shots into some of the most phenomenal you’ve ever taken.

Don’t just pose in front of the Pyramide du Louvre, where the busy crowd can bomb your images. Try walking behind it, and you’ll see a set of stairs with a lamppost leading to the palace’s exterior corridors.

Go up the stairs and pose beside the lamppost, where the glass pyramid is in full view. Angle your camera from below to hide the flocks of people, and pose.

To avoid the crowds from ruining your photos, try arriving at the Louvre as early as possible. The queue can get long, especially during peak season, which can last a few hours, wasting good lighting for photography.

2. Cour Carrée

The Pyramide du Louvre may be the star of the show, but the Cour Carrée or Square Court is no less fascinating and stunning for your photos.

Every nook and cranny of the square flaunts a rich historical significance and boasts spectacular details that’ll fill anyone with wonder.

The Aile Lescot, for instance, is the oldest facade of the Louvre. The ancient structure is ornate with life-like statues featuring astonishing details you can appreciate up close.

In every corner of the Cour Carrée, you’ll find mysterious markings of letters, numbers, and symbols engraved on lampposts, doors, and stone walls.

French rulers of old, including the great Louises, left these marks in the Louvre. So, don’t hesitate to take a snap if you come across some!

• More: How to Capture Paris at Night

3. Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

While not as popular as the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile above the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a beloved piece of architecture worth your shots.

Located at the eastern end of Paris’ Axe Historique (and often overlooked), the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel showcases the same architectural beauty and historical significance as its larger brother.

Built by Percier and Fontaine in celebration of the wars won by Napoleon in 1805, the arch reflects the proportion of Rome’s Arch of Septimius Severus.

It once served as the entrance to the Tuileries Palace before its tragic destruction in 1871. Inside the arch are marvelous reliefs detailing its story and the most significant events surrounding its construction.

4. Porte des Lions

Porte des Lions, otherwise known as the Lion Gate, is an entrance in the southwestern wing that is unbeknownst to many visitors.

Flanked by gorgeous sculptures of lions, this passage makes for a great photoshoot site with the fewest sightseers photobombing your frames.

The arch offers a direct view of the Jardin des Tuileries (The Tuileries Gardens), another popular photo and historical destination for tourists and Parisians for its direct connection to France’s history.

Of course, there’s the garden’s beautiful setting, too.

As you walk through the garden, you’ll be greeted with astonishingly detailed sculptures and iconic works of art, like Apollo and Jeanette by Paul Belmondo and The Kiss by Auguste Rodin.

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5. The Louvre Palace

Kings of France once lived in the Louvre, so it’s unsurprising to find breathtaking locations to make your visit more memorable.

Every inch of the elegant architecture and every piece of artwork embossed on its walls can be a great backdrop for your snaps.

The corridors and arches of the Louvre, for instance, are a favorite architectural element producing extraordinary image frames.

Like portals giving sneak peeks into different worlds, the pathways of the Louvre can bring magic to your photos you won’t believe possible.

Here’s a pro tip when taking pictures inside the Louvre arches:

Passages often block other sources of light apart from their entrances and exits. So, keep your aperture narrow for an increased depth of field and to produce a clear view of both the arch and the outside.

While the natural tendency in low-light scenarios is to widen the aperture, this creates a shallow depth of field, blurring your background.

• More: Photographer’s Guide to Paris’ Best Views

Photography Tips When Visiting the Louvre Museum

Knowing where is one thing; knowing how is another. To help you get the best out of your visit, here are some practical photography tips when taking pictures in public spaces such as the Louvre Museum:

Time Your Shots

“Patience is a virtue” is a proverb we’d say is most fitting to photography. Often, you have to wait a long time for some crucial elements to enter the composition and complete your desired frame.

When capturing photos in bustling tourist sites like the Louvre, timing your shots can be crucial. A quick reaction time is best for capturing these “right moments” without your photos appearing forced or hurried.

Experiment With Your Angles

Proper angling can make or break your photos. So, don’t hesitate to experiment with your angles outside your eye level or play around with your positioning.

There are plenty of approaches to getting the essence of a place.

A close-up, focusing on your subject’s face, offers a more intimate image, showing greater detail for the viewer to notice. Medium shots, including people’s expressions, can provide a context to the space.

Plan Ahead of Time

Planning one or two weeks ahead of your schedule can be a great way to save time and produce more quality work. Make yourself an itinerary outlining the places you want to take pictures of and the best times to do them.

Of course, don’t expect to achieve perfect results in the first few tries. Capturing great photos you can cherish forever takes a good few trials and errors to perfect!

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Final Thoughts

Drawing nearly 10 million visitors annually, the Louvre Museum seems like a challenging place to get unique photos at.

For first-time visitors, the frantic atmosphere of Paris can be overwhelming.

Yet, the solution is quite simple. With a few tweaks in location, a sprinkle of patience, and a great deal of planning, you can come home with a head full of memories alongside winning photos of the Louvre.