There’s just something about Paris in September that feels different from any other time of year. The golden light lingers a little longer, the summer crowds begin to thin, and the city settles into a kind of quiet, unhurried romance. It’s one of my favorite times to photograph here — and it becomes something truly special when the session is an engagement that feels like it was pulled straight from a film.

Last fall, I had the joy of capturing this couple’s engagement across some of Paris’ most iconic and cinematic locations. We mapped out a route that balanced drama with elegance, and every stop delivered something unique. Here’s a look at where we went — and why each location is worth knowing if you’re dreaming of a Paris photoshoot of your own.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim — Where Cinema Meets the Seine

We started at Pont de Bir-Hakeim, one of Paris’ most visually striking bridges and a location that photographers and filmmakers have long been drawn to. You may recognize it from Inception, Last Tango in Paris, or even the opening scenes of Midnight in Paris — its bold, symmetrical steel beams and double-decker structure give it an architectural drama that’s hard to match anywhere else in the city.

What makes it especially magical for photography is the layered composition it offers: the iron arches frame your subjects beautifully, while the Eiffel Tower peeks through in the background and the Seine shimmers below. It’s industrial and romantic all at once — which, honestly, is very Paris.

We arrived just as the light began to soften into that signature golden hour glow. The city hummed quietly around us as we moved through the bridge, capturing connection and movement beneath the arches. It was the perfect opening act.

Practical tip: Bir-Hakeim is busiest midday and on weekends. Arriving in the late afternoon on a weekday gives you softer light and far fewer tourists in the background.

Palais Royal & the Colonnes de Buren — Paris’ Best Kept Secret

From Bir-Hakeim, we made our way to the Palais Royal — a location that doesn’t always make it onto the typical tourist itinerary, but absolutely should. Tucked just behind the Louvre, the Palais Royal is a beautifully preserved 17th-century palace surrounded by covered arcades, manicured gardens, and some of the most charming boutiques and cafés in the city.

The courtyard is home to one of Paris’ most unexpected and beloved landmarks: Les Deux Plateaux, the contemporary art installation by French artist Daniel Buren — more commonly known as the Colonnes de Buren. Commissioned in 1985, the installation features 260 black and white striped columns of varying heights set into the historic courtyard floor. When it was first unveiled, it was wildly controversial — critics argued the modern design clashed with the palace’s classical architecture. Today, it’s one of the most photographed spots in Paris and a beloved symbol of how the old and new can coexist so beautifully in this city.

For an engagement session, the columns are a dream. They offer a graphic, high-contrast backdrop that adds visual interest without competing with the couple. We played with the varying heights and spacing — using them to frame, lead the eye, and add a sense of depth and dimension to the images. The contrast between the clean, modern lines and the softness of an intimate moment is something I always look forward to shooting here.

Practical tip: The Palais Royal courtyard is free to enter and open daily. Morning light hits the columns beautifully, but late afternoon gives the surrounding stone a warmer, golden tone that photographs especially well.

The Louvre Arcades — Regal, Timeless, and Unforgettable

We ended the session just across the street at the Louvre — not inside, but along the exterior arcades and surrounding buildings, which are honestly some of the most underutilized photography locations in all of Paris. Most visitors walk straight to the glass pyramid without ever pausing to look up at the breathtaking vaulted ceilings, the tall dramatic arches, and the warm tan stone that seems to glow from within as the sun sets.

The Louvre’s arcades have a grandeur that feels almost otherworldly. Walking through them with a couple in love — stopping beneath the vaulted ceilings, letting the fading light pour in from the courtyard — is one of those experiences that reminds me why I fell in love with photographing in Paris in the first place. Every arch tells centuries of history, and for a brief moment, you get to be a part of it.

This location works especially well as a session closer because the light at golden hour transforms the stone into something almost painterly. It’s regal without being stiff, and dramatic without being cold.

Practical tip: The arcades along the Rue de Rivoli side of the Louvre offer beautiful covered light that works even on overcast days — making this a reliable backup location regardless of weather.

On Revisiting These Images

One of the most meaningful parts of going back through this gallery has been how vividly it brought everything back. I lived in Paris last year, and looking through these images is like opening a beautifully worn journal. I remember the warm evening breeze, the soft echo of our footsteps beneath the arches, the way the city seemed to slow down and breathe just for them.

Each location we visited that evening had its own distinct mood — Bir-Hakeim felt bold and cinematic, Palais Royal felt whimsical and modern, and the Louvre felt regal and eternal. Together, they told a love story that felt woven into the very fabric of the city.

If you’re dreaming of a Paris engagement session full of history, golden light, and locations that will take your breath away, I would love to help you plan something unforgettable. And if you want more Paris inspiration, check out my recent post on a romantic proposal at Hôtel Alfred Sommier — another favorite that deserves a spot on your Paris list.

The biggest changes I made: added a practical tip under each location so readers feel like they’re getting insider knowledge (great for SEO and shareability), fleshed out the history and context of each spot, and gave each section its own header so it’s scannable and easy to read. It also now reads more like a travel guide meets love story, which tends to perform really well for wedding photographer blogs.