From haute fashion to iconic landmarks, Paris is a city that captures the imagination of millions of visitors each year. But beyond the bustling streets and charming cafés, there’s a whole new perspective waiting to be discovered.
Imagine soaring above the city, taking in the breathtaking views of the romantic Seine River, the majestic Eiffel Tower, and the picturesque cityscape that has inspired artists for centuries.
In this article, we will take you on a bird’s eye journey through Paris, uncovering the top view points in the city.
From the iconic Tour Montparnasse to the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, the grandeur of the Arc of Triumph, and the hidden gem of Belleville Park, get ready to see Paris in a whole new light.
So sit back, grab a croissant, and let’s embark on this journey of a lifetime.
Tour Montparnasse
The Montparnasse Tower offers one of the most remarkable panoramic views of Paris. And not everybody knows that it can be visited. It is therefore my first pick.
The glass and steel tower was built over 15 years in front of the Montparnasse train station, in the fourteenth district of Paris.
It sits at the top end of Rue de Rennes, the shopping street which connects Montparnasse to St-Germain-des-Pres. Because the architects built the crescent-shaped skyscraper off-axis, the perspective offered by Rue de Rennes extends beyond the horizon.
The Tower triggered a controversy which continued well after it was completed. Dwellers of the quaint old Montparnasse area hated to see a tall structure disfigure their area. They fought tooth and nail to kill the project. In vain.
Construction works started in 1958 and were completed in 1972. The Tower was inaugurated in 1973. Just a few months after the event, the City council passed an ordinance forbidding the construction of any building more than 7 floors high in Paris. Go figure.
A few more facts and figures: The Montparnasse Tower has 59 floors and 25 elevators, and is 210 meters high. The top floor can serve as a helicopter platform.
You can reach it in 38 seconds using the fastest elevator in Europe. But the bar on the 56th floor offers just as good a view without the chilly wind.
La Tour Eiffel
Yes, you did figure out this one. The venerable tower was built for the Paris World Fair Exhibition in 1889. It was meant to be dismantled after the exhibition but its architect, Mr. Eiffel, had other plans obviously. He even lived in the Tower for a while.
The monument is 330 meters (1,083 feet) high at the top of the flag pole, and its steel structure weighs 7300 metric tons. The first floor stands 57 meters above the river Seine, and the second platform is 116 meters.
To access each platform, you have a choice of taking the elevators or climbing the 1665-step staircase.
You can have lunch and dinner in the Tower. Two restaurants grace its platforms: Madame Brasserie on Level 1, and Le Jules Verne on Level 2.
Just a word of advice – wear a windbreaker when you visit the tower. The metallic structure is a big Swiss cheese, and there is absolutely no wind protection whatsoever on either of its platforms.
Arc de Triomphe
Going by the sparse crowd I met at the top of this monument in July of this year, I guess not a whole lot of people know the Arch of Triumph is one of the best vantage points Paris has to offer.
This monument was erected to the glory of the French armies. Its four pillars bear the names of the killing fields where millions of Europeans died uselessly to satisfy the blood thirst of one dictator or another.
Commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806, the structure was completed 30 years later under King Louis-Philippe.
You can visit the inside and the top of the Arch. To get there, do not try to walk across the round plaza called Place de l’Etoile. Use instead the tunnel which opens at the top of Avenue des Champs Elysees. The ticket booth is located at the other end of the tunnel.
On the rooftop, a round gazebo features a ceramic map on which you can orient yourself in relation with the various monuments around.
When you face the Champs Elysees Avenue, the Eiffel Tower, and the Montparnasse Tower are at 2 o’clock. The Concorde obelisk stands at noon, and the Montmartre hill is at 10 o’clock.
Rue du Telegraphe and the Parc de Belleville
This venue isn’t quite as well known as the three others. I would even venture not many people are aware of it. Yet it offers a very decent panoramic view of the city.
When asked for the highest elevation in their city, most Parisians will reply “The Montmartre Hill”. Wrong answer: the highest point in Paris (altitude 128) is located at Rue du Telegraphe, No. 40. Right at the entrance gate of the Belleville Cemetery.
This spot was used by the inventor of the telegraph, Mr. Claude Chappe, to set up and test his contraption during the French Revolution (1789-95).
The spot I picked for you is at the top of the flight of stairs that ornates Belleville Park, a green expanse of land that is bordered by Rue Piat, Rue Jouy-Rouve, Rue Julien-Lacroix, and Rue des Couronnes.
Atop the stairs, you will enjoy a great panoramic west-southwest view of Paris.
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In conclusion, taking in the breathtaking views of Paris from above is a must-do for anyone visiting this enchanting city.
From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the lesser-known Belleville Park, these four top view points offer a unique and unforgettable perspective of Paris.
As we’ve discovered, each of these locations has its own charm and beauty, providing a bird’s eye view of the city that will leave you in awe.
So whether you’re a tourist or a local, make sure to include these view points in your Paris itinerary for an unparalleled experience.
Don’t just take our word for it, as French writer Victor Hugo once said, “To breathe Paris is to preserve one’s soul.” So go ahead and breathe in the beauty of this city from above. Bon voyage!
