Paris tends to get a lot of recognition as the City of Love. While it is perfectly romantic, France is full of other equally gorgeous spaces that offer breathtaking landscapes married with unforgettable landmarks. If you are looking for the perfect spot for your engagement photos, Nice, France is especially…well…nice. As an English-speaking French photographer, I have gotten the chance to capture engagement photos all across Nice. If you are looking at this region for your session, I would love to tell you about three of my favorite spots that will be ideal for you!
Choose From These Stunning Spots For Your Engagement Photos In Nice, France
Castle Hill
06300 Nice, France
Castle Hill is a must for pretty much any Nice, France photo session, including engagement photos. This popular tourist spot has played a pivotal part in French history, drawing in both history buffs as well as those who just want a really spectacular view of the cities below. The hill is right in the center of Nice, splitting the region into two sections. It also towers over the rest of the area with peaks that reach 92m. Throughout the centuries, the hill was home to a namesake castle that served as the heart of the town. Today, the castle only exists in historical engravings, thanks to a command given by King Louis XIV to dismantle it. While the structure itself might be gone, the hill still has several sites, including a historic cemetery and an artificial waterfall. It also has some of the best views of the entire city.
There is an elevator that can take you up to the top, but most of my clients opt to walk instead. Yes, it is absolutely a trek, but I promise, it is more than worth it. Once you get to the top, you can look down and see all of Nice at your feet. There is an observation deck that will serve as a positively dreamy backdrop throughout your session. If you are up for this adventure, I would advise you to bring comfortable shoes that are ready for the journey! Also, be prepared for crowds. As I mentioned earlier, this area tends to draw in lots of tourists. If you want to avoid them, we could plan this part of your session earlier in the morning when the crowd tends to be a bit thinner.
Old Town Nice
If you want a variety of backdrops for your engagement photos, I highly recommend booking a large portion of your photo session in Old Town Nice, France. This area is full of charm everywhere you turn. Historic buildings are outfitted with colorful facades, and tiny streets give you the perfect way to break away from the city and share a quiet, romantic moment together. I especially love using this area to find colors that will fit with your wedding colors so you can have the best image for your save-the-dates.
Not only does this area offer an eclectic mix of houses, but they also have plenty of activities you can incorporate into your photos. You can find plenty of cafes with outdoor seating where you can order a drink or watch the world go by. It delivers that classic Parisian feel, only without the Parisian tourists. Once you are done here, you can head over to The Cathedral of St. Reparata, where you can get pictures in front of the fountain. There are quiet balconies and towering archways you will pass as you stroll along.
You will also see a mix of churches and museums. This area hosts weekly markets where they bring in fresh produce from local merchants. While it can get a little busy, market days tend to offer plenty of photographic moments! One thing I particularly love about this area is that it is mostly pedestrian-only. This gives you the chance to escape much of the congestion and instead share private moments together. And while this part of town can sometimes veer into touristy territory, I promise, it never loses its charm! You will find so many spots that will be ideal for your background.
Promenade des Anglais Beach
While there is so much to do around Nice, it remains a beach town at its core. The Mediterranean Sea is apparent throughout the town, and crystal blue water is near the buildings. For my engagement sessions, I love taking my clients down to Promenade des Anglais Beach so they can get photos with some of the best Nice, France views of the water. The area spans around seven kilometers with brilliant blue seas that reflect the sunny skies. One thing to note ahead of your session: these aren’t the sandy beaches you are used to seeing state-side.
Around Nice, all the beaches feature large stones. As a result, the water is much cleaner than what you might see in other places. Nonetheless, these rocks can be fairly difficult to navigate without the proper footwear. I will often encourage my clients to bring a change of shoes so they don’t have to sacrifice their ankles in the name of style. While the area can also see its fair share of clouds and rain, the sun can be harsh when it’s shining on you. Bring some sunglasses so you can look great but still have the proper protection!
While we will definitely spend some time walking near the water’s edge, there are several seaside spaces I encourage my clients to incorporate into their sessions that will get you away from the rocks for a bit. There are piers as well as balconies where you can get the water as a backdrop. We can work in spots such as the fence alongside the outdoor cafes. And because you won’t have to worry about sand, we can get some pictures of you sitting on the beach without having to stress about getting your outfit dirty!
If You Know Of Another Great Spot For Engagement Photos In Nice, France, Please Let Me Know!
If you are looking for the perfect spot for your engagement photos in Nice, France, I think you will adore Nice! This scenic town is full of spaces where you can get pictures you’ll treasure for years.
Are you still looking for the right photographer to help you capture these moments? Then let’s chat! I am an English-speaking French photographer, and I adore working with couples to help them document their celebrations. I would love to chat with you all about my style. Then you can decide if I am the photographer for you. Send me a message today if you’d like to learn more!