Butte Montmartre
Perched at the highest point in Paris, this iconic hill gives you two distinct shooting opportunities in one location: the white domes of Sacré-Cœur Basilica rising above you to the north, and a sweeping panorama of the city stretching toward the horizon to the south. For the basilica, position yourself on the steps or the lower esplanade to use the grand staircase and surrounding crowds as foreground interest, compressing the scene with a short telephoto around 70-85mm. For the cityscape, a wider lens lets you capture the rooftops spreading out below. Blue hour is particularly rewarding here, when the basilica glows against a deep sky and the city lights begin to flicker on. The site is accessible by foot up the steps or via the Montmartre funicular, and early mornings on weekdays will help you avoid the heavy tourist traffic. (Montmartre, Paris, France)
