Paris at Golden Hour: The Best Spots to Watch the Sunset

Depending on the weather and time of year, Paris can have some AMAZING sunsets. I'm a BIG sunset lover, so I'm always on the hunt for the best spots to view them across the city. But since Paris is pretty densely packed and mostly flat, you really have to know the right places to go. From rooftop bars to free vantage points along the river, here are the best spots to watch the sunset in Paris.

Best Free Places to Watch the Sunset in Paris

Port du Louvre, 1st Arrondissement

The Seine River is very curvy, so there aren't sunset views along all points of it. But this very spot on the Right Bank is one of my absolute FAVORITES. As you might guess by the name, it's close to the Louvre and is actually the walkway along the Seine River that runs alongside the world-famous museum.

To be a little more precise, I usually sit down on the river's edge right before the Pont des Arts bridge. This way you get a GORGEOUS view of the sunset with the bridge in the foreground AND the Eiffel Tower in the distance. If sunset is close to the start of a new hour, you'll also get to enjoy the twinkling tower. It does this for five minutes every hour from dusk to midnight or 1 am, depending on the time of year. This definitely adds some extra magic.

Place de la Concorde, 1st Arrondissement

The largest square in Paris has one of the most FANTASTIC sunset views. Found at the western end of the Tuileries Gardens, and towards the end of Day 1 of our Paris Itinerary, Place de la Concorde is in the spot right before the river turns, so from the corner of Tuileries and the square, you've got a straight-on view of the sunset. What makes this place really amazing is that the view features the Egyptian Obelisk, other lovely statues in the square, and the Eiffel Tower. I sometimes take a detour to this spot if I'm in the area at the end of the day, if I think there's going to be a great sunset.

Alexandre III Bridge, 8th Arrondissement

Paris's glitziest bridge is even more spectacular at sunset. Built for the World's Fair of 1900, it's a super-decorated bridge with gilded statues and really pretty lamp posts. Since it faces west, you can catch gorgeous views of the sunset ON the bridge or to the east of it, down by the water's edge, and with the bridge in it. And to make it extra special, you can watch the sunset with the Eiffel Tower in the background.