The Best Six Views of Paris

Don’t limit yourself to appreciating Paris from street-level when there are so many ways to view the whole city from on high. Here are six of the best ways to view Paris…

1 From the Steps of the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre

The dome of the white Sacre Coeur is the second highest point in Paris (exceeded only by the Eiffel Tower.) This elegant church gazes down at the rest of Paris from the atmospheric, if crowded, area of Montmartre.

2 From the Roof of La Défense

This giant hollow cube at the west end of Metro Line 1 is a “love-it or hate-it” affair, as far as Parisians are concerned, but the view from the top is spectacular. A single line cuts straight through Paris to reveal the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysees, Place de la Concorde and the Louvre.

3 From the Top of the Arc de Triomphe

Stand on top of Napoleon’s “triumphal arch” to view the cube of La Défense in one direction and the Champs-Élysees, the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre in the other. The view from the Arc de Triomphe also lets you appreciate the chaos of the roads that radiate away from the central roundabout of Charles de Gaulle Étoile.

4 From the Top of the Eiffel Tower

Look over Paris from the symbol of Paris itself. The view is great, the climb is perhaps more interesting than the others, but there is, of course, something missing. From here, you can’t see the Eiffel Tower itself…

5 From the Tour de Montparnasse

This ugly modern tower block is certainly not worth a visit for its own merits. Yet, take the lift to the 56^th floor to find a great view of Paris – one that includes the Eiffel Tower.

6 From the Roof of L’Institut du Monde Arabe

Accompanied by a great café and restaurant, dripping in deep purple and gold, the top floor of this educational building gives you a great view over central Paris. (It also serves a great citron pressé – a “typical” French drink I’ve been searching for since I read about it at school.)

So there you have it, the six best view of Paris. Let us know if you know of any more…