You're correct, you'll need a secure footing. Most pergola manufacturers have details on their websites. Check out the websites for Gazebo Creations, Arbors Direct, or Backyard America.

Thank you marcinde. I will look at those sites.

Could the uprights be outside the paved area?

inkognito, no unfortunately outside of the pavers will not work.

{{gwi:28470}}

This is a portion of the patio. The back porch of the house is not shown but is in front and the sun sets to the right of the gazebo. So the sun bakes the patio and shines directly into the porch. The pergola would have to be closer to the house and cannot be large enough to go to the edge by the gazebo (if that makes sense).

Figure out where the posts need to be, lift those pavers, dig and make or bury a concrete pier.

The piers come pre-fab, or you can embed a special post anchor into the wet concrete.