Instagram Vs Reality: Photographer Shows How Crowded Famous Paris Sites Really Are

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A post shared by Henry Wu • San Francisco (@humminglion)

Pre-COVID-19, the Eiffel Tower attracted between five and eight million people per year, according to Statista. So if you’re planning on getting that fantastic Instagram shot, you better get there by sunrise. Otherwise, expect to spend a lot of time editing photos.

Another spot the couple hit up on their trip was the Jardin des Plantes, known for its amazing cherry blossom trees in the spring. But for the photo, the two had got there at sunrise before loads of families came.

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If you’re interested in seeing the blooming Wisteria at the Grande Mosque de Paris and using it as a colorful background, you better get ready for another early wake-up call. Wu noticed that by 10:30 AM, there wouldn’t have been a shot to get. It’s also worth noting that certain types of photos at a mosque might be considered disrespectful or offensive. So it might be wise to skip the photoshoot and just enjoy the scenery.

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A post shared by Henry Wu • San Francisco (@humminglion)

So if you find yourself in Paris craving the perfect Instagram content, expect to get up early. If you’re not an early riser, it’s not such a bad idea to go enjoy the sites and take a couple of less than perfect photos. No pressure.