The best views of Paris might not be where you think! Here’s a list of great viewpoints for the Paris skyline, from many different angles!
Quick facts about Paris
Currency: Euro
Population: 2,211,297
Major airports: Charles De Gaulle (CDG), and Paris Orly (ORY), There is also Beauvais but it is about a 2 hour bus ride from Paris
Tipping: Service included in meal and drink price. Ask for une carafe d’eau if you want tap water
If you’ve never been to Paris before, read this beginner’s guide first!
Where to stay in Paris
If you want to be near the tourist spots, you should stay close to the Seine. However, places can be a bit pricey there! If you want to save a bit of money but still be well connected to the tourist spots, I would recommend the 14th, 12th, or 10th arrondissments.
If you’re looking for a hostel to stay at, I recommend the following!
Caulaincourt – Located in Montmartre, this hostel is close to some great sights and in the heart of the artsy district. During the day, Montmartre is filled with locals enjoying a coffee in the sunshine. At night, the neighborhood comes alive with bars and clubs suited for everyone.
Les Piaules – This hostel is in a more local area, but walking distance to one of the best neighborhoods in Paris: Republique! Here you will find bars, restaurants, and speakeasies, and you can even walk down to Le Marais if you wish! If you want some greenery, you’re also close to Parc des Buttes Chaumont, one of the best parks in Paris.
MIJE Hostel – A bit pricey but the location cannot be beat! This hostel is located right in the center of Le Marais, the vibrant shopping neighborhood. You could wander the Marais for hours and you’re well connected both by metro and by foot to all the sights of Paris.
Where are the best views in Paris?
One thing I’ve never understood about visitors to Paris is going up the Eiffel Tower. One of the best things to see in Paris is the Eiffel Tower, so why would you go to the one place that you can’t see it? Here is a list of some of the other places where you can get amazing views of Paris:
Arc de Triomphe
Metro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile
The Arc de Triomphe isn’t just nice to look at from the outside! Inside the Arc you will find many many stairs and a mini museum talking about the history of the arch. Once you walk through the museum, you’ll find a terrace with an amazing view of Paris!
Cost: Free for students, 13 euros otherwise
Hours: 10 am to 10:30 pm
If you’re planning on visiting many attractions in Paris, it’s much cheaper to get a Paris city pass!
Basilique Sacré-Cœur
Metro: Lamarck Caulaincourt, Abbesses, Anvers
Climbing to the Basilica of Sacred Heart is worthwhile not only for the church, but also for the great view! Although the Eiffel Tower isn’t always visible (in winter it is!), you can see see the massive layout of Paris. For example: Can you spot Notre-Dame?
If you want an even better view, you can pay a fee to climb to the very top of the dome!
Cost: Free to enter the cathedral. The dome costs 8 euros per person (subject to change depending on the season)
Hours: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm
Tour Montparnasse
Metro: Gare Montparnasse
The most pricey, but truly an amazing view!! Montparnasse is the tallest skyscraper inside of Paris, as well as being connected to one of the main train stations. There is a restaurant and a panoramic view, provided you pay the fee. Although it may be the most expensive, I think it’s also the coolest of all the views of Paris.
Hint: If you get a drink at the café, you don’t have to pay the entrance fee! Of course, you still have to pay for your drink, but it’s better to pay around the same and have a drink than have nothing at all!
Cost: 19 euros online, 20 euros in person for adults, 14 for students, 8 for children
Hours: 9:30am to 11:30pm
Galeries Lafayette
Metro: Havre-Caumartin
A favorite of the locals, but not so much with tourists, is at the top of the department store called Galeries Lafayette. The department store is located in the 8th arrondissement, one of the more luxurious areas of Paris. You can take escalators to the top of Galeries Lafayette, then climb one staircase to reach the rooftop. There’s a café there as well, but it’s completely free to go and just see the view, both during the day and at night!
Cost: Completely free!!
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 9pm , Sundays and public holidays from 11am to 8pm
Notre Dame
Metro: Notre Dame Saint Michel
Notre Dame Cathedral is amazingly gorgeous inside, but most people don’t know that you can climb to the top! You’ll get a great view of the Latin Quarter with of course, everyone’s favorite landmark in the background.
Unfortunately, Notre Dame is closed at the moment, but we hope it will be open again in the near future! If you still want to visit the outside of Notre Dame, you can view the cathedral that has a gallery on the outside, showcasing artwork and a little bit of an insider’s look into the renovation that is happening on the inside.
Cost: Free to enter the cathedral and 8.50 euros to climb to the top
Hours: As of now, the Cathedral is closed to renovation after the fire, but let’s hope that changes soon!
View from Eiffel Tower
Metro: Bir Hakeim, Champ de Mars
Okay, you can’t mention best views of Paris without mention the one from the Eiffel Tower. It IS a nice view and easy to do if you’re visiting the Eiffel Tower anyway. You can also easily see La Defense, which is the business district of Paris. The park in front is Bois de Boulogne, which is the biggest and most popular park in Paris,
Cost: The price varies depending on if you visit the 2nd floor or the top and if you take the stairs or not. Prices for adults start at 10.70 euros.
Hours: 9:00 am to 11:45 pm for most of the year
Which of these views of Paris is your favorite?
