Best locations for a spring blossom photoshoot in Paris

If you are lucky enough to be in Paris during the spring season, you have the rare opportunity to enjoy magnolias, sakura, and wisteria in bloom! Read on for some ideas for your perfect spring blossom photoshoot in Paris.

A successful photoshoot with the spring blossom requires both clever planning and, ultimately, good luck. To avoid disappointment, please remember that the beauty of the spring blossom is in its fleeting nature. It is difficult to predict the dates when any tree will bloom or how long its beauty will last. Start and end dates vary every year and depend very much on the changing weather patterns. Also, the tiny flowers tend to be very fragile. A single rainstorm or strong wind could bruise the petals and make them all fall out prematurely.

I prepared this guide to give you some idea about timing and help you choose the best location for your spring photoshoot.

Estimated Dates

Magnolias: Early to mid March
Cherry blossoms: end of March to mid April
Wisteria: mid April to mid May
Roses: May and June

1. Trocadero Gardens

You want seasonal spring photos but you also want the iconic Eiffel Tower views? Trocadero is for you! The first to bloom in mid March are these thin trees with gentle white flowers, which are located straight in front of the Eiffel and have unobstructed view. Later in March and early April, the cherry trees of Trocadero also start blooming. The rich pink blossom of the sakura is very photogenic and makes for a perfect backdrop! The Eiffel Tower is of course still visible but may be partially obscured by tree leaves.

2. Palais Royal

Hands down, the garden of Palais Royal is the home of the most beautiful magnolia trees in Paris! Come here in early to mid March in order to catch them in full bloom. If you are unlucky and spring surprises you with inclement weather, you could also take shelter under the colonnade, which is photogenic in its own right with its beautiful architecture and geometry.
You can complete your photoshoot with the Buren columns (for a more artsy/modern vibe), some lifestyle photos at a beautiful café nearby or even continue on to the Louvre museum next door

3. Jardin Nelson Mandela

Located in the heart of Paris (Les Halles / Châtelet) this park features multiple magnolia trees and is a fantastic choice for a spring photoshoot during the month of March.

4. Square Gabriel Pierné

This centrally located square is also a great choice for your spring blossom photoshoot. It features not only plenty of cherry blossom, but also beautiful Parisian architecture in the background. Bonus for the book lovers: those stone benches are actually in the shape of open books.

You can easily combine this location with a photoshoot along the Seine river, with its famous bouquinistes (booksellers of antique books and rare vintage postcards who set up shop along the river). If you have more time, we can continue on to the Louvre via Pont des Arts, or, alternatively, turn towards Notre Dame and Ile Saint Louis.

5. Petit Palais

Petit Palais is frequently requested in tandem with the iconic Pont Alexandre III (the most beautiful bridge in Paris). Did you know that there is a huge cherry tree in front of it too? The branches reach low enough to touch them and pose with them easily, which is perfect for those portrait close-ups with cherry blossom backdrops. Inside the museum there is a cute inner courtyard with a café and even more cherry blossom. Heads up for all the art lovers out there: entrance to the permanent collection is free! Fancy some museum shots too? No problem! Finally, if the museum is closed during your visit, that's actually a blessing in disguise because then you can pose in front of its majestic golden door. Perfect for those glamorous red-carpet looks too!

6. MAIL DE BIÈVRE

Even if it is very much off the beaten path, this is one of my new favorite locations for a cherry blossom photoshoot! I love how the alley is lined with sakura on each side, with the branches intertwining into a beautiful pink canopy above. The alley is located in a tiny park in a quiet residential area, which makes it a perfect choice not only for a romantic couple's photoshoot, but also for a family photoshoot with children. No crowds, no cars, plenty of space to move, jump, and play. Next to the cherry tree alley there is also a kids playground, which can be great for some more action-filled photos of your little ones.

7. Metro Falguiere

The square at the entrance of metro station Falguière is another low-key location off the beaten path where you can enjoy some cherry blossom. It is suitable for more casual lifestyle photoshoots with a Parisian vibe. Maybe include some shots in the metro as well for an even more authentic experience? You can continue your photoshoot in the classic Jardin du Luxembourg, which is only two metro stops away.

8. Grande Mosquée

Wisteria lovers might enjoy visiting the garden in the courtyard of the Paris Mosque in late April-early May. The walls are covered by voluptuous purple wisteria, while the heart of the garden is filled with lush greenery. The architecture around and the colorful tile patterns all contribute to interesting and unusual photoshoot.

This location is easily combined with the Jardin des Plantes next door. Jardin des Plantes is the main botanical garden in Paris; it features a wide variety of flowers and, best of all, entrance is free!
Tired after your photoshoot? You can rest in the atmospheric café to soak up its Mediterranean vibe and enjoy a nice mint tea. Also, there is a ladies-only hammam here, which has a reputation among Parisian women as one of the best in town.