10 Prettiest & Most Charming Streets in Paris
Even after living here for several years, one my favorite things about Paris is that it has endless charming streets to wander – making it challenging to determine which are the prettiest streets in Paris.
View of Eiffel Tower from quiet street in the 7th arrondissement in Paris, France; August 2025
I often see locals meandering around streets with gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower such as Avenue Silvestre de Sacy and Rue Saint Domonique – but what about other charming streets in Paris that only a local would know to tell you about?
The truth is, there are multiple lively and stunning streets in Paris that it can be hard to narrow it down – but, after several years of living here, I thought long and hard to successfully compose a list of the prettiest streets in Paris.
In this article, I’m going to share my top 10 prettiest and most charming streets in Paris – tried, tested, and true to impress friends and family every time they’re visiting me in Paris.
Wandering down quiet streets in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, France; June 2025
What is the Prettiest Street in Paris?
The prettiest street in Paris is of course subjective, as it will depend on what your definition of pretty qualifies as – from color to vivacious character. If you were to ask me as a local living in Paris, I would say Rue Crémieux , Rue Cler or Rue Mandar are the prettiest streets in Paris for their effervescent charm and coy, but still present, personalities.
What is the Most Picturesque Street in Paris?
Rue de l'Abreuvoir, located near the Sacré-Cœur, often holds the title as the most picturesque street in Paris – as it is home to the famous “La Maison Rose” and has a distinctive hugging curve that leads you towards the other narrow, artistic-inspired streets of Montmarte.
Personally, while I do think Rue de l’Abreuvoir is a very photogenic street in Paris – there are other similar, extremely aesthetically pleasing streets in Paris to take pictures of, such as in Quartier de la Mouzaïa in the 19th arrondissement or La Cité Florale in the 13th arrondissement if you want to keep the same light pale, pink color scheme offered by Rue de l'Abreuvoir.
Exploring Quartier de la Mouzaïa in Paris, France; August 2025
What is an Underrated Place to Take Pictures of In Paris?
While neighborhoods near the Sacré-Cœur and Eiffel Tower often attract many tourists for their charming streets and jaw-dropping views of the beautiful nearby monuments, there are streets in Paris just as picturesque as Rue de l'Abreuvoir – such as Villa d’Alsace in the 19th arrondissement or Rue des Iris in the 13th arrondissement.
What is the Most Colorful Street in Paris?
There’s no contest – Rue Crémieux is the most colorful street in all of Paris. Located in a less touristic neighborhood in Paris in the 12th arrondissement, Rue Crémieux is adorned with vibrant colors from yellow, blue, to pink – setting it apart from rest of the city.
Rue Crémieux is also a peaceful pocket of Paris, as this street is car-free and specifically tailored to pedestrians – making it a safe haven for photographers.
Rue Crémieux in Paris, France; June 2021
Top 10 Prettiest Streets in Paris
Rue Mandar
Perhaps what I consider to be one of my favorite streets in all of Paris, Rue Mandar is the epitome of a charming street in Paris – as it has little to no cars, lots of adorable cafés, and little boutiques to explore.
Rue Mandar in Paris, France; September 2025
The quintessential Parisian cobblestones, hole-in-the-wall coffee shops, and flowers decked out on local’s balconies from afar make Rue Mandar one of the prettiest streets in Paris.
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: Rue Mandar isn’t particularly busy, but if you want a person-less photo – I suggest getting there in the first half of the day, before locals are out and about running their errands and filling the nearby restaurants.
Insider Tip As a Local: One of my personal favorite things about Rue Mandar is that it’s home to some of my favorite vegan places in Paris such as Breathe. sushi and Cloud Cakes – be sure to not miss out on either of these plant-based places when on this pretty street in Paris!
2. Rue Crémeux
Known as the most colorful street in Paris, Rue Crémieux is perfect for people looking for the perfect Instagram shot to show off a more eye-catching and rainbow-like side of Paris.
Rue Crémieux in Paris, France; May 2025
Why is Rue Crémieux colorful?
Originally a part of the housing development known as Rue Millaud back in 1857, Rue Crémieux was renamed in honor of Adolphe Crémieux in 1897 – and over the years, shortly after being subject to the 1910 Great Floods of Paris – the individual residents on Rue Crémieux decided to paint their houses vibrant and pastel shades of pink, green, yellow, and more.
Having been closed off to vehicle traffic since 1993, Rue Crémieux has become an Instagram hot-spot – reminiscent of colorful streets in other cities such as Notting Hill in London, Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, and the island of Burano in Venice.
Is Rue Crémieux Better than Notting Hill?
Personally, I prefer Rue Crémieux over Notting Hill in London – as it’s more quaint and doesn’t have cars lined up alongside the houses, which allows for better pictures and a more whimsical experience when wandering the colorful street.
Want to see Rue Crémieux in action? Check it out in my personal Paris tour vlog below!
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: Many people will recommend you go to Rue Crémieux as early as possible to avoid crowds, but honestly – I usually only see Rue Crémieux packed at all hours of the day with tourists during the summer. Therefore, if you’re in Paris during off season – don’t stop yourself from visiting Rue Crémieux just because it’s later in the afternoon. In fact, I’ve seen Rue Crémieux nearly empty on a Sunday afternoon in the spring – meaning while earlier in the day is better, a near person-less shot isn’t impossible in the afternoon as long as its not peak tourist season.
Insider Tip As a Local: Many tourists come to Rue Crémieux only to take picutres and leave, but what they don’t know is that this same neighborhood in Paris is home to the “Paris High Line” otherwise known as Coulée Verte René-Dumont – which is 2.9 mile (or 4.7 kilometer) long pathway offering stunning views of Parisian rooftops and streets from above. I highly recommend walking along the Coulée Vert after taking your pictures at Rue Crémieux!
3. Rue de l'Abreuvoir
Often penned as the prettiest street in Paris, Rue de l'Abreuvoir is home to La Maison Rose and other light, pale pink buildings – making it popular with tourists.
Outside La Maison Rose on Rue de l'Abreuvoir in Paris, France; September 2025
Is La Maison Rose Worth Visiting?
As a local in Paris, I can tell you – La Maison Rose is actually a really great place to eat, with fresh and seasonal ingredients and even often offering vegan options. However, it’s often extremely busy – meaning it’s important to make a reservation if you want to eat at La Maison Rose while in Paris.
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: Honestly, Rue de l'Abreuvoir is busy all hours of the day – including on weekdays due to its popularity with tourists. Therefore, the only way to get a person-less photo of this street is to come early early in the morning – I would say well before 10AM, or maybe to even aim for a sunrise photo shoot.
Insider Tip As a Local: Many tourists tend to crowd Rue de l'Abreuvoir not realizing they’re in one of the most photogenic places in Paris with dozens of photogenic streets nearby – including the street directly adjacent to Rue de l'Abreuvoir known as Rue des Saules. Also, be sure to not miss Parc Marcel Bleustein Blanchet dit Parc de la Turlure – which is one of the prettiest parks in Paris!
Rue des Saules in Paris, France; September 2025
4. Rue des Iris
Everyone who visits Paris seems to go crazy over La Maison Rose for pictures, but truth be told – I think there’s an even prettier place in Paris to get those pale pink, floral covered pictures you’re craving for your Instagram grid.
Rue Des Iris is located in an underrated gem in Paris called Cité des fleurs, or “Floral City” in English, located in the 13th arrondissement. This little pocket of Paris is a collection of streets all named after flowers, in cute residential houses covered in vines, greenery, and of course – flowers.
Rue des Iris in Paris, France; May 2023
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: As Cité des fleurs isn’t a major tourist spot (although I sometimes hear French tourists from outside of Paris wandering this area), you should be fine any time of day to go take photos – just be sure to respect the people who live in this area, as they aren’t used to tourists 24/7.
Insider Tip As a Local: While a trip to Floral City may be far away from the center or other tourist attractions in Paris, you absolutely shouldn’t miss other areas to be found in the 13th arrondissement – many of which are also extremely photogenic such as Butte-aux-Cailles and Quartier des peupliers, the later which is also reminiscent of Notting Hill at times. Also, the 13th arrondissement is home to Paris’s Chinatown – which is well worth exploring, especially if you happen to be in tour around Chinese New Year!
5. Rue Cler
My parents have both visited me in Paris several times, and every time they visit me in my neighborhood near the Eiffel Tower – a walk down the always-charming Rue Cler is a must.
A favorite amongst tourists and locals alike, Rue Cler is home to ice cream shops, international cuisine like Indian and Lebanese restaurants, flower shops, produce stands, and even an Aldi and La Poste (the post office) near the end of the street.
Rue Cler in Paris, France; August 2025
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: Rue Cler isn’t usually ever flooded with people, but if you want a person-less shot or to enjoy the atmosphere in peace, I would suggest avoiding Rue Cler during peak after work hours – such as between 7pm and 9 pm.
Insider Tip As a Local: Opt for the quieter cafés near the end of the street closer to La Poste instead of the ones closer to the beginning of the street, as they tend to be more garnered towards locals and have slightly higher prices. Also, be sure to enjoy the fresh fruit and juices from the produce stands – especially if you come to Paris during the summer.
6. Rue de l’Ancienne Comdéie
As this is one of those streets you would never notice unless you were casually wandering Paris without a map, Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie is one of those streets in Paris that is alive with stunning views to make any photographer drop to their knees.
Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie in Paris, France; January 2022
Located in the heart of Paris, Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie is almost always alive – perfectly depicting how although at times moody, Paris can have her moments of being just vivacious as cities like New York or London.
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie is bustling, especially during the weekends past 5 pm – meaning, if you want a gorgeous person-less photo, I would aim to come as early in the morning as possible.
Insider Tip As a Local: You’ll probably most likely catch this street while walking alongside Boulevard Saint Germain, and honestly – my best tip is to wander down all of the small side streets and explore. One of my favorites is Rue de Seine, which is upbeat with local bars like Freddy’s – all of which offer a more typical Parisian experience than the streets where tourists dwell near major landmarks.
Watch me explore the area surround Rue de Le Ancienne Comedeie in my Paris vlog below!
7. Rue de la Harpe
Another buzzing street in Paris is Rue de la Harpe, located in the heart of the Latin Quarter – which is covered with student-friendly food stands that don’t skimp on flavor for the price.
Distinct in the way it curves around the corner leading back toward Place Saint-Michel and the Notre-Dame, Rue de la Harpe is a street in Paris that is often overlooked – despite the fact that it encapsulates the magic of Paris so well in a single block.
Rue de la Harpe in Paris, France; September 2025
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: As Rue de la Harpe can get crowded with nearby tourists and locals alike exploring the Latin Quarter and also be easily covered in cars, I recommend coming here as early as possible – such as before 1pm on weekends, if you want to take car-less or person-less photos.
Insider Tip As a Local: If you’re exploring the area, you should be sure to check out Shakespeare & Company nearby – which is a local bookstore with cozy reading corners and an extensive selection of books to choose from, with its next-door café also worth eating at. Also, I love to pop by Square René Viviani – which is a local park with wonderful views of Notre-Dame.
8. Rue de Bucci
Particularly gorgeous during Christmas time when the street is covered in golden lights, Rue de Bucci is another street in Paris with that somehow perfectly soft, yet electric energy that illustrates the quintessential charm of streets in Paris.
Rue de Bucci in Paris, France; September 2025
Although many of the cafés along Rue de Bucci are overpriced, it’s so much fun to wander around and people watch the people taking their time at cafés or to even watch locals go about their day to day lives.
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: Rue de Bucci is often busy, but it gets busier as the day goes on – meaning if you want to take pictures of the floral-covered cafés – you’ll want to come to Rue de Bucci as early as possible, especially if it’s a weekend.
Insider Tip As a Local: Instead of eating at one of the places on Rue de Bucci, I recommend walking back to the nearby Rue de Seine I mentioned earlier – as it’s much more catered to locals and can help you to avoid tourist-trap-like prices.
9. Rue Montorgueil
Rue Montorgueil has always been one of my favorite, teeming parts of Paris – as it’s located perfectly in between Les Halles and Sentier, embellished with endless cafés, gift shops, and produce stands that make it a perfect representation of the best of everything Paris has to offer.
Rue Montorgueil in Paris, France; September 2025
What makes Rue Montorgueil so special is that it truly has everything you could imagine wanting while wandering Paris: from cafés, bakeries, fresh fish or meat stands, produce stands, cheese shops, wine cellars, and flower shops – all on the same street. It’s local, alive, and for lack of a better word – has a certain je ne sais quoi in terms of its vibrant energy.
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: Honestly, Rue Montorgueil is one of the busiest streets in Paris – it’s often crowded on the weekends. I think it would require coming before noon to fully enjoy and take pictures without crowds in the way.
Insider Tip As a Local: Be sure to not miss out on Rue Mandar (mentioned earlier on this list) and Rue de Montmartre – as both offer slightly softer versions of Rue Montorgueil without skipping out on the charm or photo opportunities.
10. Place de la Contrescarpe
Last but not least, although this is technically a “place” in Paris and not a street – it isn’t like other large places in Paris, and serves more as a charming loop that almost no tourist would ever know of.
Place de la Contrescarpe in Paris, France; June 2025
Located deeper in the 5th arrondissement closer to Place Mongue and Jardin des Plantes – Place de la Contrescarpe is one of my favorite places to go for a night out, whether it’s for little bites at a local Greek restaurants or open mic night at L’Eurydice.
Best Time of Day to Take Photos: This place is always popping, even on weeknights, but I have seen it much quieter during the day – as it’s definetely a place where younger people dwell after school or work. That being said, I do think the best time to see Place de la Contrescarpe at night when it’s alive – as taking photos when no one is here will dull the charm you’ll want in your pictures.
Insider Tip As a Local: Be sure to walk due Rue down Rue du Cardinal-Lemoine, as it’s lined up with dozens of local bars worth exploring – especially if you want an escape from the tourist-driven side of Paris.
📸✨ FAQ on the Prettiest Streets in Paris 🌸🇫🇷
| 📍 Where in Paris is the best place to take photos? | Some of the most photogenic neighborhoods in Paris are near the Eiffel Tower and in Montmartre — especially along Rue Saint-Dominique and Rue de l’Abreuvoir, both famous for their picture-perfect Parisian backdrops. |
| 🌈 What is the most colorful street in Paris? | Rue Crémieux is the most colorful street in Paris, with pastel houses in bright yellows, blues, and pinks. Just remember it’s a residential street — be respectful of the locals when taking photos. Also nearby is the Coulée Verte René-Dumont (Paris’s “High Line”), which makes for a gorgeous walk all the way to Jardin de Reuilly. |
| 🌿 What are the most charming streets in Paris? | Some of the most charming streets in Paris include Rue Cler (a lively market street near the Eiffel Tower), Rue Mandar, and Rue Princesse — each offering that quintessential Parisian charm with boutiques, cafés, and authentic atmosphere. |
| 🌸 Which streets in Paris are pink and floral? | Rue de l’Abreuvoir in Montmartre is often called the “pink street,” especially for the iconic Maison Rose café. For a quieter alternative, head to La Cité Florale in the 13th arrondissement — a hidden gem with pastel façades, climbing flowers, and the same romantic pink-toned palette. |
| 🎶 Which streets are the most lively in Paris? | Beyond major avenues like Rue de Rivoli and Boulevard Haussmann, smaller streets such as Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie and Rue Montorgueil are buzzing with cafés, bars, and people — making them some of the most vibrant and energetic spots in the city. |
Want to see some of these lesser-known photo spots and prettiest streets in Paris in action? Check out my Paris vlog below!
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Last updated: September 29, 2025