Paris With a View

There is no shortage of beautiful sights in Paris. Almost everywhere you look merits a picture or postcard moment. But by far the most arresting views in the city are the ones with altitude. From the top of the Arc de Triomphe to the dome of the Pantheon to the towers of Notre Dame, there are numerous vantage points where you can see the city from incredible angles.

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In this week’s post, I’ve pulled together a list of my favorite Paris panoramic spots – some well known and some off the beaten track – including whether they are accessible by stairs or elevators. You have to know what you’re getting into after all. I’ve also noted the ticket cost – a couple of them are even free – and whether the site is included in the Paris Museum Pass (PMP). So I invite you to check out these exceptional ways of discovering Paris from above and maybe put a few on your Paris to-do list the next time you’re there. One of these days, I am going to visit them all in the space of a month and dedicate a photo album to “Paris vu d’en haut” (Paris Seen from Above). Bonne visite!

(listed in order of arrondissement)

Tour Jean Sans Peur, 2nd arr: The Tower of John the Fearless is the last vestige of the Parisian palace belonging to the powerful Dukes of Burgundy. Hand-carved stone steps lead to the top of this medieval jewel. 5 euros. www.tourjeansanspeur.com/

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Notre-Dame, 4th arr: For climbing the 387 steps to the balcony on the western facade of Notre Dame, you get a double bonus – seeing the cathedral’s towers and gargoyles up close as well as enjoying the superb views of Paris. 8.50 euros or PMP. Tower entrance at the northwest exterior corner of the church. www.cathedraledeparis.com

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Centre Georges Pompidou, 4th arr: Whether or not you like the mod architecture of the Pompidou Center (some days I do, some days I don’t!), the viewing deck from the top floor is outstanding. 3 euros panorama ticket or included with regular museum entry fee or PMP. www.centrepompidou.fr

Panthéon, 5th arr: Built on Mount St. Genevieve in Paris, the Pantheon is a must on any walking tour of the Latin Quarter. In addition to the great views from the dome (via stairs), several French notables are buried in the crypt including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Marat, Emile Zola, Jean Moulin, Louis Braille and Marie Curie. 7.5 euros or PMP. Note: Due to ongoing renovations, access to the dome may be limited.  www.pantheonparis.com

Tour Eiffel, 7th arr: The most obvious place to get a good look out over Paris is the Eiffel Tower. It’s also an intriguing spot weather-wise – I once visited when it was raining at the bottom only to find it was snowing when I reached the top! 15 euros for elevator access to the summit or 5 euros to climb the 704 steps to the second level. (Definitely buy any tickets in advance online as the ticket queue there is always way too long.) www.tour-eiffel.fr  

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Musée d’Orsay, 7th arr: Accessed via stairs or elevators, the rooftop terrace at the Orsay Museum is one of my favorite venues in the city. You’re right in the center of everything – it feels like you could reach out and touch the Louvre or wave to folks on the Bateaux-Mouches on the Seine. And seeing Paris through the massive clock window is not to be missed! 11 euros or PMP. www.musee-orsay.fr

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Arc de Triomphe, 8th arr: The Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Elysées puts Paris in perspective – literally. From the 12 broad avenues radiating out from the Arch to the stunning axis running east to the Louvre and west to the La Défense Arch, Arc de Triomphe’s terrace (stairs only) offers views day or night like no other. 9.50 euros or PMP. To reach the Arch, don’t try to cross the traffic circle above ground – use the underground passageway.  www.arcdetriompheparis.com

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Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann, 9th arr: In addition to all the fabulous shopping, the famous French department stores have great rooftop views of Paris. You can take the elevators, escalators or stairs to the 7th floor at Galeries Lafayette and the 9th floor at Printemps to reach the “terrasse panoramique.” Free. www.galerieslafayette.com, www.printemps.com

Institut du monde arabe, 13th arr: Located on the eastern end of Paris, the Institut du Monde arabe overlooks the Seine, Notre Dame, the Ile St. Louis and the Marais. The rooftop terrace on the 9th level (elevators) is open daily Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Entrance is free. www.imarabe.org/terrasse-panoramique

Tour Montparnasse, 14th arr: Parisians joke about how ugly the black Left Bank skyscraper la Tour Montparnasse is. The even bigger joke is how fantastic the views of Paris are from the Tower’s 56th floor viewing deck – especially because while there, you can’t see the Tour Montparnasse itself! The 360 degree views are accessible 365 days of the year, with the regular viewing deck reachable by elevator and the very top terrace by additional stairs. 14.50 euros.  www.tourmontparnasse56.com

Parvis du Sacré-Coeur, 18th arr: The Basilica of Sacré Coeur floats on the hill of Montmartre on Paris’s northern edge. The view from the square in front of the church is wonderful, but the outlook from the top of Sacré Coeur’s dome is sublime. Note that there are 300 steps to reach the top! www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

Grande Arche de la Défense: Inaugurated on July 14, 1989, for the bicentennial of the French Revolution, the great arch of La Défense symbolizes the modern business district west of Paris where it is located. The unique perspective towards the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre is truly amazing. Access to the roof via glass elevator. 10 euros, 5 euros on Tuesdays. www.grandearche.com

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NB: Weather conditions may affect accessibility to some of these sites.

French Take-Out ~ La France à emporter

The famous French photographer, reporter and environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand has specialized in aerial views of magnificent sites and sights all around the world. Click here to see a gorgeous video he did of Paris a few years ago. It will transport you straight to the City of Light!

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