Paris 1st arrondissement
Getting married in the 1st arrondissement
From Place Vendôme to the Palais-Royal, the historic heart of Paris
A Paris wedding photographer since 2014, I work with couples across the west of the city. The 1st is the Paris of origins: the Louvre, the Tuileries, Place Vendôme and the arcades of the Palais-Royal. A setting of stone and gold — the most central, most storied quarter of the capital.
The spirit of the 1st
The 1st is like no other arrondissement. You marry at the exact centre of Paris, where the city was born. Place Vendôme, the gardens of the Palais-Royal, the sweep of the Tuileries towards Concorde: everything here breathes heritage and poise. It is a monumental Paris — one I photograph with restraint.
Wedding venues in the 1st
Place Vendôme and the Ritz
The Ritz Paris, on Place Vendôme, is one of the most emblematic addresses for a Paris wedding. Classical façades, an interior garden and exceptional salons compose a setting of absolute refinement. See palace weddings in Paris.
Le Meurice and the Palais-Royal
On the rue de Rivoli, Le Meurice opens its salons onto the Tuileries. Steps away, the arcades of the Palais-Royal offer one of the most beautiful backdrops in Paris for a couple session, sheltered from the crowds.
The Louvre, the Tuileries and the town hall of the 1st
The Tuileries garden and the courtyard of the Louvre make for unforgettable couple sessions, early in the morning when the light skims the statues. The town hall of the 1st, on Place du Louvre, holds ceremonies just minutes away — so ceremony, session and reception flow together without long transfers.
The way I photograph
I work as a candid documentary editorial photographer. I do not pose my couples; I document their day as it is truly lived, seeking the light rather than imposing it. In a setting as storied as the 1st, that restraint lets the places and the emotion speak for themselves.
I cover the whole of Paris and the Île-de-France; full details of my collections are on the investment page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you cover the entire 1st arrondissement?
Yes — from the Louvre to Les Halles and from Place Vendôme to the Palais-Royal, in its palace hotels, its gardens and at the town hall on Place du Louvre.
Can we do a couple session at the Tuileries or the Palais-Royal on the wedding day?
Yes, and it is often superb. The best moment remains early morning or the end of the day, when the light is soft and the gardens are quieter.
Let’s talk about your wedding in the 1st
Tell me your intended date and a few words about the spirit of the day. I reply within forty-eight hours.
Pierre-Yves Queignec, documentary editorial wedding photographer in Paris since 2014. Coverage in French and in English. Available in the 1st, throughout Paris and the Île-de-France.
