Paris Photography Tour

All information in this pack is provided in good faith and is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Rules on entry requirements, ETIAS, EES and similar schemes are changing through 2026 and may be updated again before our departure date, so please check the official links provided closer to the time. Nothing in this document, particularly the sections on health, vaccinations and insurance, constitutes medical, legal or professional advice. For anything specific to your own circumstances, please contact the NHS, your GP, a registered travel health clinic, or the relevant official body directly. Most of the practical information here is written from a UK perspective. If you are travelling from outside the UK, please check the equivalent guidance for your own country, as entry rules, health cover and insurance arrangements may differ. This document is best read on a desktop computer or tablet, particularly the language guide tables further down, which are easier to follow on a larger screen.

Introduction to photography in Paris

Paris is one of the most photographed cities in the world, and 23–25 October is a genuinely lovely time to shoot it. The light softens as autumn sets in, the parks turn gold, and the crowds thin compared with summer. We will be working across a real mix of subjects over the trip: architecture, street photography, café culture, the Seine, and some of the classic viewpoints, alongside some of the quieter corners most visitors miss. A few cultural things worth knowing before we arrive. Parisians generally appreciate a polite greeting before any interaction, even a brief one, so a "bonjour" before asking to take a photo goes a long way. Pointing a camera directly at someone without acknowledgement can come across as intrusive, and French privacy attitudes around personal image are genuinely stronger than in the UK, which we cover in more detail below. Meal times are also more fixed than in Britain, with many restaurants and cafés only serving food during set lunch and dinner windows, so we will try to plan shoot times around this rather than assuming food is available all day.

Visas

British citizens travelling to France for tourism do not need a visa for short stays. You can enter the Schengen area, which includes France, visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Our tour falls comfortably within this limit. From late 2026, the EU is expected to introduce ETIAS, a pre-travel authorisation scheme similar to the US ESTA. It is not yet required, but if it comes into effect before our trip, you will need to apply online in advance and pay a small processing fee. We will update the group nearer the time if this becomes a requirement for our travel dates. The ETIAS has now been delayed until 2027. Official guidance: GOV.UK France travel advice and EU ETIAS information

Entry requirements

As well as a valid passport, French border officials may ask to see proof of your return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and evidence that you can support yourself financially during your stay. Accommodation details for the group will be sent to you closer to the trip start date, and it is worth keeping a printed copy with your travel documents once received. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is being rolled out through 2026. This replaces manual passport stamping with a biometric registration, including fingerprints and a photo, on your first entry to the Schengen area. If you travel via Eurostar or the Eurotunnel, this registration typically happens before you leave the UK. There is no cost involved. Official guidance: GOV.UK France entry requirements and EU Travel Europe (EES and Schengen)

Passport validity

France, like the rest of the Schengen area, does not use the simple "six months" rule that applies in some other countries. Two separate checks apply, and both must be met:

• Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your date of entry to France.
• Your passport must have an expiry date at least 3 months after the date you leave France or the wider Schengen area.

Older British passports sometimes carry extra months rolled over from a previous passport, which can push the printed expiry date beyond 10 years from the actual issue date. Border staff count from the issue date, not the expiry date, so please check the issue date printed in your passport, not just when it expires. If in doubt, renew before travelling. Official guidance: GOV.UK entry requirements for France and GOV.UK passport renewal

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry to France. UK guidance recommends travellers are up to date with routine vaccinations, including tetanus, as a general precaution for any trip abroad. This is standard travel advice rather than anything specific to Paris. Please check your own situation with your GP practice or a travel health clinic, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions or are not up to date with routine UK immunisations. Official guidance: TravelHealthPro: France and NHS travel vaccinations

General health

Paris has excellent healthcare facilities and pharmacies (marked with a green cross) are widely available for minor ailments, offering advice as well as over-the-counter medicines. If you take regular prescription medication, bring enough for the full trip plus a few spare days, ideally in original packaging, along with a copy of your prescription. We will be doing a fair amount of walking, often on cobbled streets and sometimes standing for long periods while shooting, so comfortable, broken-in footwear matters more than most people expect. If you have any mobility considerations or medical conditions the group leader should be aware of, please let us know in advance, in confidence.

Obtaining travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential and is a condition of joining the tour. Your policy should cover medical treatment and repatriation, cancellation, and your camera equipment and other valuables, including cover while items are in use out and about, not just packed in a hotel safe. Standard policies often cap single-item or gadget cover at a level well below the value of a camera and lens, so check this carefully and consider specialist gadget or photographic equipment cover if needed. To compare policies and find one that suits your circumstances, MoneySavingExpert's independent comparison tool is a good place to start: MoneySavingExpert travel insurance comparison

Obtaining a GHIC card

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) entitles you to state-provided, medically necessary healthcare in France on broadly the same terms as a French resident. It is free and lasts up to five years. It is not a substitute for travel insurance and does not cover repatriation or private treatment, but it is a sensible and free addition to carry alongside your insurance. Apply only through the official NHS website, as several copycat sites charge a fee for what is a free service. Applications can currently take up to 15 working days to arrive, so apply in good time before the trip. Official site: NHS: Apply for a free UK GHIC

Insects and repellents

October is generally a low-risk month for insects in Paris, as temperatures are cooler than in summer. Mosquitoes are occasionally present in the early part of the month, and the Asian tiger mosquito has become more established in parts of France in recent years, so a light insect repellent is worth packing as a precaution, particularly if we spend time near parks or waterways at dusk. No specific insect-related health precautions are required for this trip.

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Accomodation

Guest will stay at the Libertel Gare Du Nord Suede hotel which is about 8 minutes walk from Gare Du Nord station. Checkin is after 14.00. Checkout is before 12.00 midday. Breakfast is not included and we will find this as and when needed in various cafe's. Parisian hotel rooms are renowned for being small! This hotel is no exception!.But we don't plan to spend that much time in them. Rooms are paid for per room by myself upon arrival so arriving on similar times to below is better for me.

Doug and I will be staying at an AirBNB about 5 mins walk away.

Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iVUaQtCH6VtQpzJ18

Hotel link: https://www.libertel-gare-du-nord-suede.com/

Arrival into Paris

I will arrive and depart via Eurostar on the following trains. You don't have to be on the same trains but similar times are ideal (especially for the arrival)

22/10/2026: 13.31 > 16.59
26/10/2026: 07.32 > 09.00

Weather for Paris in October

Paris in October is mild but changeable, and this is genuinely good news for photography, as it tends to bring softer light, some atmospheric cloud, and beautiful autumn colour in the parks and along the boulevards. Typical daytime highs sit around 15 to 17°C, dropping to around 7 to 9°C overnight. Expect roughly 12 to 14 days of rain across the month, usually in short showers rather than prolonged downpours, so an umbrella or a good waterproof layer is worth having to hand at all times rather than left at the hotel.

Sunrise and sunset times

This is a short trip, but it happens to fall right across a notable date: clocks in France go back an hour at 3am on Sunday 25 October 2026, our final day, so it is genuinely worth planning around for anyone hoping to catch sunrise or golden hour shots. Approximate times for our three days are:

• Friday 23 October: sunrise around 8.10am, sunset around 6.45pm (CEST)
• Saturday 24 October: sunrise around 8.15am, sunset around 6.45pm (CEST)
• Sunday 25 October (clocks go back overnight): sunrise around 7.15am, sunset around 5.40pm (CET)

In other words, our last morning's sunrise arrives a clock-hour earlier than the two days before it, so if you were planning a lie-in on the final day, it is worth double-checking your phone has updated to the new time zone before setting an alarm. These times are approximate forecasts based on typical patterns for the date. Exact daily times can be checked nearer the date at timeanddate.com: Paris sun times

Tide times

This is not applicable for our Paris itinerary. The Seine within the city is a non-tidal, regulated river, with water levels controlled by locks and dams rather than driven by tides. Tidal influence on the Seine only becomes noticeable much further downstream, well beyond Paris, so there is nothing to plan around here.

Currency and money tips

France uses the Euro (€) and this is not a restricted or closed currency, so you can obtain euros in the UK before you travel or on arrival without difficulty. Cards are widely accepted almost everywhere, including small cafes and market stalls, but it is worth carrying a modest amount of cash for smaller purchases, tips, or the odd stall that is card-only above a minimum spend. Contactless and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are very widely used in Paris. Check with your bank about any foreign transaction fees before you travel, and consider a card designed for overseas spending if you do not already have one. To find the best exchange rates and compare options for buying euros before you go, MoneySavingExpert's travel money comparison tool is a useful starting point: MoneySavingExpert travel money comparison

Tipping

Tipping in France is more modest than in the UK or US and is never obligatory, as a service charge is included by law in restaurant and cafe bills. That said, rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is appreciated. For a nice meal, 5 to 10% is generous. Taxi drivers usually receive a small round-up rather than a percentage. Hotel porters and housekeeping can be tipped a euro or two per service if you wish, but there is no expectation to do so.

Safety, crime and scams

Paris is generally a safe city for visitors, but like any major tourist destination it has its share of petty crime aimed at tourists, particularly pickpocketing on the metro, around major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, and on busy shopping streets. Keep bags zipped and worn across the body, keep phones and cameras out of back pockets, and be extra vigilant in crowds and on public transport. Common scams to be aware of include people asking you to sign a "petition" while an accomplice picks a pocket, the "gold ring" trick, friendship bracelet sellers near Sacré-Cœur, and unofficial ticket sellers near attractions. A firm "non, merci" and walking on is the best response. Keep your camera gear close and be mindful of setting bags down while shooting. There have been isolated reports of confrontations with unlicensed street vendors who object to being filmed, so use discretion if photographing this kind of activity, covered further below. Official guidance: GOV.UK France safety and security advice

What not to shoot

France generally allows photography of most public buildings and street scenes, but caution is needed around a few categories:

• Police and gendarmerie officers going about their duties can be photographed, but avoid photographing counter-terrorism operations, identity checks in progress, or anything that could be seen as obstructing an officer.
• Military sites, bases, and anything with visible security infrastructure should not be photographed. This includes airports and any perimeter fencing marked with restrictions.
• Government buildings such as the Élysée Palace have restricted zones around them where photography may be limited or where you will be moved on by security if you linger with a camera.
• The Domaine National sites, including the Louvre and Tuileries, Palais Royal, and Versailles, have specific rules around commercial use of images of the buildings themselves, separate to general tourist photography.
• Unlicensed street vendors, sometimes selling counterfeit goods near landmarks, can react badly to being filmed. It is best avoided.

If in doubt, and especially around anything with a uniformed presence, it is simplest to lower the camera and move on rather than press the point.

Privacy

France has some of the strictest image privacy laws in Europe, built around a legal concept called droit à l'image, the right to one's own image. In practice, this means an identifiable individual has the right to object to their photo being published or distributed without consent, even if the photo was taken in a public place. Taking a photo is generally not illegal in itself, but publishing or sharing an image of a recognisable person, including on social media, technically requires their consent. In practice, tourists take street photos in Paris every day without incident, and the law is applied with a good deal of common sense for genuine street and travel photography. A few sensible habits keep you well within accepted practice:

• Wide layered shots of a street scene, a crowd, or a public event, where no single person is the clear subject, are treated very differently from a close-up portrait of one identifiable stranger.
• If you want a close, recognisable shot of a specific person, particularly if you might want to publish it later, it is best practice to ask first, even with just a smile and gesture toward the camera.
• Avoid photographing children closely without a parent's clear consent.
• If someone objects to being photographed, respect it immediately, even if you believe you are legally entitled to take the shot.

Street photography in Paris

Paris rewards patience more than persistence. Rather than chasing a shot, find a spot with good light and interesting background, whether that is a café terrace, a metro entrance, or a market stall, and let the scene come to you. Some areas worth exploring for street work include the Marais for narrow lanes and independent shops, the area around Canal Saint-Martin for a more local, less touristy feel, and the markets at Bastille or Aligre for colour and character. A few practical tips: keep your kit compact and unobtrusive where possible, a smaller lens draws far less attention than a large zoom. Morning light along the Seine and around Notre-Dame tends to be quieter and softer than the afternoon rush. Cafés are an excellent vantage point for candid shots of street life without needing to hover conspicuously. And remember the privacy guidance above, a warm, low-key approach generally gets a far better reception, and often a far better photo, than shooting from a distance without acknowledgement.

Environmental protection

Please use common sense while we are out shooting. Take any litter with you if a bin is not immediately available, avoid trampling flower beds or planted areas for the sake of a shot, and give any wildlife (including the city's pigeons and gulls) space rather than approaching or feeding them for a photo. Where we visit parks, gardens or quieter green spaces, please stay on marked paths and be mindful of other visitors. It costs nothing to leave a place exactly as we found it.

Emergency services and numbers

The general European emergency number, 112, works anywhere in France and connects you to police, ambulance or fire services. France also has separate direct numbers if you prefer:

• Police: 17
• Ambulance (SAMU): 15
• Fire brigade: 18
• European emergency number (all services): 112

The British Embassy in Paris can assist British nationals in genuine emergencies, such as a lost passport or a serious incident. Details: British Embassy Paris

Food and drink

Paris is one of the world's great food cities, and part of the joy of the trip is eating well between shoots. Expect classic bistro fare, excellent bread and pastries, good coffee culture, and plenty of wine. Lunch is often the best value meal of the day, with many restaurants offering a fixed-price "formule" or "menu du jour", usually served within set hours rather than all day. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Paris, and the city's public drinking fountains (Wallace fountains) are a charming subject in their own right as well as a handy refill point. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, please let us know in advance so we can factor this into group meal planning.

What to pack: clothing

Layers are the key to October in Paris. A reasonable packing list would include:

• A waterproof, breathable jacket (essential, not optional)
• A warm mid-layer or jumper for cooler mornings and evenings
• Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes, ideally waterproof
• A mix of layerable tops for variable daytime temperatures
• A scarf, gloves and a light hat for cooler days
• Smart-casual outfit for an evening meal out
• A small, packable umbrella

What to pack: photo kit

Keep your kit purposeful rather than exhaustive. A suggested list:

• Camera body, plus a backup if you have one
• A versatile walk-around lens something like a 24-70/105mm or equivalent
• An ultra wide 12-30mm or similar may come in handy
• A longer lens such as 70-200/300 may also be handy to have with you
• Spare batteries and a compact charger (Paris hotel rooms rarely have more than one or two accessible sockets)
• Plenty of memory cards, and a way to back up images each evening
• A lightweight, weatherproof camera bag you are happy to carry all day
• A microfibre cloth and a small rain cover or dry bag for your camera
• A lightweight travel tripod as we may shoot low light or long exposures
• A portable hard drive or laptop for backing up files if you are not backing up to the cloud

Electricity and power adaptors

France uses 230V 50Hz and the standard continental European Type C and Type E plug sockets (two round pins). UK plugs will not fit without an adaptor, so bring at least one European travel adaptor, and ideally two if you are charging multiple devices such as a phone, camera batteries and a laptop each evening. A small multi-socket extension lead with a single adaptor is a handy way to charge several items from one socket, useful given how few sockets some Paris hotel rooms have.

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Luggage: keeping it light

Please pack as light as you reasonably can. If flying, a few things worth knowing for airport security, as these catch people out more often than you'd expect:

• Small tools, including tripod hex keys or Allen keys, multitools, and anything with even a short blade, can be confiscated at security if packed in hand luggage. Pack these in your hold luggage instead, or leave them at home if they are not essential.
• Vaping devices and their spare batteries are treated cautiously at security. E-cigarettes and vapes must be carried in hand luggage, not in the hold, but expect them to draw extra scrutiny at the scanner, and check current rules on liquid volumes for any e-liquid you carry.
• Spare lithium batteries (camera batteries, power banks, drone batteries) must go in hand luggage, not hold luggage, and should ideally have terminals protected with tape or a battery case to prevent short-circuiting. Most airlines cap the size and number of power banks you can carry, so check your airline's specific limits before packing.
• Camera bodies and lenses are best kept in hand luggage where possible, both to avoid rough handling and because valuable equipment is often poorly covered, or excluded entirely, by standard airline baggage liability.

Drones

Please leave camera drones at home for this trip. The entire city of Paris, including every arrondissement, park and public space, is designated a permanent no-fly zone for drones, with no exceptions for tourists or hobbyists. Enforcement is genuinely strict, with equipment confiscation and significant fines a real possibility for anyone caught flying, even briefly, near a landmark. This applies regardless of drone weight, registration status, or whether you hold a licence elsewhere. If you do own a registered drone and want to fly legally elsewhere in France outside our trip dates, French rules require registration via the AlphaTango portal for any drone with a camera or over 250g, and flying is restricted to designated open areas well outside the capital. Official guidance: French Ministry (DGAC) drone regulations

Internet, mobile data and roaming

Wifi is normally available at all the hotels we use, though speed and reliability can vary, so do not rely on it entirely for anything time-sensitive. France is part of the EU, and UK mobile roaming rules changed after Brexit. Roaming is no longer guaranteed to be free, and it now depends entirely on your individual mobile provider and tariff, so it is worth checking your own plan before you travel rather than assuming inclusive EU roaming still applies. Some UK networks still offer free or low-cost EU roaming, others charge daily fees, and some charge standard international rates, which can add up quickly if you are sharing photos or backing up to the cloud on the go. A straightforward alternative many of our travellers use is a travel eSIM, which gives you a local or regional data allowance without needing a physical SIM swap. I have a discount arrangement with Airalo that the group is welcome to use: Airalo eSIM, using discount code STEVEN3101 at checkout.

WhatsApp group

About a month before departure, we will set up a WhatsApp group for the tour so everyone can communicate before, during and after the trip, ask questions, share excitement, and get last-minute logistical updates in one place. An invite will be sent out to the mobile number you provided on booking. It is a good idea to save the group leader's number in advance so messages do not get lost in spam filtering: +447836705705

Local language

English is widely spoken in central Paris, particularly in hotels, museums and tourist-facing businesses, but a little effort with French goes a long way and is generally very well received. Even a simple "bonjour" before switching to English tends to soften interactions noticeably, whether that is with a shopkeeper, waiter, or someone whose photo you would like to take. Having said that, Parisians are known for their short shrift, especially with tourists/travellers. I once heard it said even the French don't care for Parisians!

Everyday essentials

Photography-related phrases

Official links summary

• GOV.UK: France travel advice
• GOV.UK: France entry requirements
• EU Travel Europe: EES and ETIAS information
• NHS: Apply for a free UK GHIC
• TravelHealthPro: France health guidance
• MoneySavingExpert: Compare travel insurance
• MoneySavingExpert: Compare travel money and exchange rates
• British Embassy Paris
• French drone regulations (DGAC)
• Airalo eSIM (discount code STEVEN3101)

Bring paper and digital copies

Please bring both printed paper copies and digital versions (saved on your phone, ideally accessible offline) of the following. Border delays, flat batteries and patchy wifi have a habit of arriving at the least convenient moment, and having both formats covers you either way:

• Your passport photo page
• Your travel insurance policy summary and emergency contact number
• Your GHIC card details (or the card itself, plus a copy)
• Any visa, ETIAS or entry authorisation confirmation, if applicable at the time of travel
• Your accommodation details, which we will send you closer to the trip start date, as border officials may ask for these
• This welcome pack
• A note of any regular medication you take, with the generic (non-brand) name

Ten fun facts about Paris

1. The Eiffel Tower grows by up to 15cm in summer, as the iron expands in the heat, and shrinks back again in cold weather.
2. Paris has its own miniature Statue of Liberty, standing on an island in the Seine near the Pont de Grenelle.
3. The Louvre is so vast that art historians estimate it would take several weeks of full-time viewing to see every piece on display.
4. Beneath the streets lie the Catacombs, containing the bones of around six million people, moved there from overflowing cemeteries in the late 18th century.
5. Paris has only one stop sign in the entire city, at the exit of a car park near the Porte de la Villette, since French drivers usually rely on priority-to-the-right rules instead.
6. The Mona Lisa is smaller than most people expect, at roughly 77cm by 53cm, and sits behind protective glass in the Louvre.
7. Montmartre was once its own independent village, with vineyards that still produce a small amount of wine today at Clos Montmartre.
8. The Paris metro's Art Nouveau station entrances, designed by Hector Guimard, have become icons of the city in their own right and are well worth a frame.
9. Père Lachaise, the city's largest cemetery, is also one of its most visited sites, drawing photographers as much as mourners.
10. Paris was originally called Lutetia by the Romans, and the name Paris comes from the Parisii, the Gaulish tribe who settled the area long before Roman times.

Any questions?

If anything in this pack is unclear, or you have a question specific to your own circumstances, please get in touch before we travel rather than leaving it until the last minute. Looking forward to shooting Paris with you all on 23–25 October.