Experiencing Paris from above is an unforgettable experience. In this post, we’ll guide you through the best viewpoints in Paris for breathtaking views and to capture the best photos on your trip.
Discover the Best Viewpoints in Paris
Ready to explore them? We’re sure that visiting these spots to see Paris from above will be an unforgettable experience. Keep reading and choose your favorite!
At LOCK & enjoy! we recommend using the Paris metro to get around the city, as it’s considered one of the best in the world and it stops at all the major tourist sites.
Montparnasse Tower
Montparnasse Tower isn’t a typical tourist spot, as it’s a modern office building known for its height of 210 meters. This makes it one of the best places to admire the city from its two levels, as well as from its magnificent panoramic terrace.
It also features one of the fastest elevators in Europe, which takes you up to the 56th floor in just 38 seconds.
Access is not free, as each ticket costs €18.50, but we recommend it because we’re sure it will amaze you. It’s open every day from 09:30 to 22:30.
Sacré Coeur
The Sacré Coeur is one of the most emblematic places in Paris, not only because of its basilica but also for the wonderful views it offers.
In front of the basilica, there is a viewpoint that offers a stunning view of the city, including major tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. However, if you want an even better view, you can climb the 300 steps that lead directly to the dome of the temple, though it costs €6 per person.
You can walk up the 222 steps to the hill or take the funicular from Place Louis Michel; the journey lasts about a minute and a half.
Arc de Triomphe
The viewpoint from the Arc de Triomphe isn’t the highest in Paris, but it allows you to see the city from different perspectives and in great detail.
The Champs-Elysées, La Défense, and the Eiffel Tower are best viewed from this monument. We also recommend going up during the last hours of the day, as watching the Parisian sunset is a moment to remember.
Entry costs €16, but those under 18 enter free. It’s open every day of the week from 10:00 to 22:30.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the ultimate viewpoint in Paris, standing at 312 meters tall. It’s the most privileged place to see the city in all its splendor. There are 3 levels from which to enjoy the views:
- The first level is the most popular; it’s accessible without many stairs and features a glass floor.
- To reach the second level, you need to climb many stairs, so we recommend taking breaks along the way. This level hosts one of Paris’s most famous luxury restaurants, which boasts a Michelin star.
- The top floor is accessed by a paid elevator. It’s considered the highest public observation platform in the entire European Union.
When you finish your visit, head to Trocadero Plaza, as it offers the best views of the Eiffel Tower. It’s also the best place for photos with the monument, although it’s always crowded, so it’s best to go as early in the morning or as late at night as possible.
Need luggage storage near the Eiffel Tower? We’re located very close to Trocadero Plaza, specifically at 3, Rue Augereau.
Galeries Lafayette
Galeries Lafayette is a commercial symbol of Paris. The building has 7 floors arranged in a circular shape where you can shop for anything you need.
It’s not the most well-known viewpoint in the city, but at LOCK & enjoy! we love it because you can enjoy a drink or a beer while watching the magnificent sunset. Head up to the seventh floor where the dining area is located and find the stairs that lead directly to the rooftop. The splendid Paris Opera House is immediately visible.
The galleries are open every day of the week from 10:00 to 20:30, except on Sundays when they open at 11:00.
Pompidou Centre
On the sixth floor of the modern art museum Pompidou, there is an excellent panoramic view of the city center. From here, you can see the beautiful rooftops of The Marais district, as well as the Sacré Coeur and Sainte Chapelle.
Note that you don’t need to pay the general admission to the museum to visit this viewpoint, as there’s an admission fee of just 3 euros. However, on the first Sunday of each month, you can enter for free.
Very close to the Pompidou Centre, we also have backpack storage in Châtelet – Les Halles. You can book a locker for as long as you need, by days or hours.
We look forward to seeing you at the best viewpoints in Paris! We also encourage you to enjoy any of the tourist activities in Paris, as it’s a city that offers much in the cultural, artistic, gastronomic, and leisure fields.
Sevilla