Blue Hour Photo Spots Overlooking Paris

I would think that the top of the Arc de Triomphe would have stunning traffic photos! Also, we always stay at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile. They have a rooftop bar with a great perspective of the rest of the city.

I agree that the top of the Arc de Triomphe is fantastic for street photos - at least from an above perspective. There are 12 roads intersecting at that traffic circle and from the top you can photograph each of them, including of course Champs Elysees. I took photos of all of them, my two favorites are looking down the road to the skyline of the La Defense district including the grand arch, and also looking down the two roads that go either side of the Eiffel Tower. The top of the Arc is, I think, the best place to watch and photograph the twinkling on the ET.

I also thought that the best cityscape photos of Paris were from the 2nd level of the ET, rather than from the top of the tower.

Another good spot for Paris city photos is from the Sacre Coeur on Montmartre.

If you are planning long-exposure traffic photos, I presume you will be using a tripod. I would check with the Arc de Triomphe beforehand (or anywhere for that matter) to make sure you are allowed to carry and use a tripod.

Great advice, Thank you everone!

Arc de Triomphe is a definite! The Trocadero for across the Seine shots of the tower. For interesting shots - Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower - if you are a the Centre Pompidou, take the escalators to the top. Great views over the roof tops of Paris.

Yes, indeed, the Arc de Triomphe has some great views of Paris. I love long exposures with light streaks from cars, too. Twenty years ago, I had the same idea: I paid my admission and then hiked up to the top at dusk with my tripod...set up my camera on it...and was promptly approached by a security guard to told me I would need to buy a photography permit to be able to use my tripod!! Needless to say, I was quite miffed.

That was a long time ago - could things have changed since? I'd doubt it. But be sure to ask before paying our admission and expecting to take tripod shots from up there.

I've taken some decent shots OF the Arc de Triomphe at dusk/night on the Champs-Élysées - the Arc de Triomphe makes a nice focal point in the background. There are some little pedestrian islands at crosswalks along the Champs-Élysées where you can set up a tripod briefly and take your shots...I wasn't hassled by anyone, but I didn't dwell there. I had to be careful not to block pedestrian traffic. Maybe if the right cop was walking past I would have been hassled, who knows?

I also found a spot somewhere along the Seine with the Eiffel Tower in the background where I got some light streaks from the BOATS running at dusk, for the same kind of effects.

I do like these "light streaks" long exposure photos and try them often when I travel in Europe - I always travel with a light-weight tripod.

It appears a tripod at the Arc de Triomphe is strictly prohibited :( I can't even find how to get a permit if I wanted to pay for one - I will "settle" for some handhelds there. I am sure there are some amazing shots to be had just the same. :) Thank you Andrew for sharing about the small pedestrian islands along Champs-Élysées - I will look for them! I will also keep my eyes open along the Seine for boat traffic lines, that sounds intriguing. Thank you Philip for your suggestions as well - the Trocadero looks like a beautiful shot. Now off to Photo Pills to see where the sun will be while I am there! :)

Another option might be the Bir Hakeim Bridge, near Eiffel Tower

Bir Hakeim bridge is a great call, or in the same area, the pedestrian Debilly bridge looking towards the Eiffel Tower.

Place de la Concorde could make for good traffic shots looking up the Champs Élysées if you have the right lens (telephoto? not a technical guy, but you'd have to zoom quite a bit for best effect).

The Montparnasse Tower provides some really nice opportunities and a fine view of the Eiffel Tower.