Eiffel Tower, let's go bye! How to see Paris from above and spend 0 €? Find out about the best free viewpoints in Paris. Okay, we'll tell you about paid ones too. Choose what you like!
Free observation decks in Paris
Printemps Shopping Center
Free observation deck in Paris with a minimum of tourists. Nice views of the Opera, Madeleine Church, rooftops and the Eiffel Tower. Although the observation deck is very cramped, we liked it!
How to find. You need a building with clothes for men - Printemps Homme. There are two lookouts there at once - on the 8th and 9th floors, but on the last the view is better. Take the elevator or escalator to the 8th floor, and then take the stairs or another elevator to the roof. There is also an open-air restaurant terrace on the 8th floor.
Address: Boulevard Haussmann, 64, Metro Havre - Caumartin. Look for the tag on MAPS.ME - Terrasse du Printemps.
Galleries Lafayette
The view of Paris is only slightly different from the rooftop of Printemps. However, the observation deck at the Galeries Lafayette is much more spacious and popular - there are a lot of people. Go up the escalators to the 9th floor and go straight to the roof.
As you descend or ascend, do not miss the Art Nouveau dome on the 3rd floor. There is a glass bridge, but it was closed during our visit. And also stand in the center of the dome on the 1st floor - the view is amazing. I can imagine how beautiful it is around Christmas. Although much more beautiful!
Address: Boulevard Haussmann, 40, Metro Chaussee d'Antin - La Fayette. Look for the tag on MAPS.ME - La Terrasse des Galeries Lafayette.
Institute for the Arab World (Institut du Monde Arabe)
From the free observation deck on the 9th floor of the Institute of the Arab World, you will see the very center of Paris: Saint-Louis, Notre-Dame, the Seine. You can go up by elevator.
Address: Rue des fossés Saint-Bernard, 1. Look for the label on MAPS.ME - Institut du Monde Arabe and Rooftop view (free access via the bar).
Trocadero (Esplanade du Trocadero)
The most popular lookout in Paris overlooking the Eiffel Tower! From here, she looks majestic and graceful at the same time. Therefore, there are a lot of tourists and souvenir sellers. If you want to arrange a photo session, come at dawn, when there are at least people.
Address: Metro Trocadero. As you exit the metro, you will almost immediately find yourself in the square.
Montmartre
This free viewpoint overlooking Paris in front of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica is as populous as the Trocadero. It seems that all tourists gather here. It is not very clear why - the view is not very remarkable, because everything is too shallow (still, the height is 130 meters).
You can climb to the basilica itself, but this is already paid, and besides, you have to stand in line at the entrance.
Address: platform in front of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
A romantic park where mostly locals walk. From the gazebo - a beautiful view of the Sacre Coeur Basilica and the Eiffel Tower. The gazebo is tiny, and there are quite a few people who want to get in.
Paid observation decks in Paris
We did not go up to the paid observation decks in Paris - the free ones were quite enough! Moreover, they are very expensive, and the pleasure is not always comparable to the cost of time and money. Still, we will list them - what if you decide to go up.
Eiffel Tower
Yes, yes, the only place where you can't see her. Everyone knows this bike. Many people dream of getting to the most famous observation deck. In principle, we did not become: expensive, long, hordes of tourists, upstairs there is a dull glass and the feeling that we spent money somewhere in the wrong place, because everything is too shallow.
But if you absolutely want to get to the tower, we have a very detailed article on how to save on tickets to the Eiffel Tower.
Tour Montparnasse
This ugly tower, sticking out like a stake in the middle of historical buildings, has the only plus - a panoramic observation deck overlooking Paris on the 57th floor. True, paid.
According to reviews, it is better to climb Montparnasse than the Eiffel Tower: there are almost no queues, the price is almost the same, you can also buy a ticket online, you can see all the iconic sights, a fast elevator, plus you get cool photos with the tower.
Price: 18 €. There is a ticket for 23 € with the right to come 2 times within 48 hours.
When: all year round, from 9:30 am to 10:30 pm Sunday through Thursday and from 9:30 am to 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Where can one buy: on the tower's official website. The ticket is valid for 30 days from the date of purchase, without reference to the date and time. It is not necessary to print it - you can throw it on your smartphone.
Life hack: tourists are advised to come in such a way as to catch the day and evening Paris when the lights on the Eiffel Tower come on.
Georges Pompidou Center
Here you can visit not only the exposition, library and cinema, but also the observation deck!
Price: 14 € - entrance to the museum. But you can only go to the observation deck for 5 €.
When: from 11:00 to 22:00, except Tuesday.
Address: Place Georges-Pompidou.
Arc de Triomphe
You will see the avenues that radiate from the arch, the high-rise of the Defant district, the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower.
Price: 12€.
Where can one buy: at the box office or online without queuing on the official website.
When: from 10:00 to 23:00 in summer, the rest of the time - until 22:30.
Address: Metro Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile.
Tower Saint-Jacques (Tour Saint-Jacques)
The 52-meter-high Gothic tower (300 steps) is all that remains of the Church of Saint-Jacques-la-Bouchery. Once upon a time, the pilgrimage path of Santiago began here. They say the view from her is worth the money they ask! True, you can climb it approximately only from July to September, moreover, only with a guide. And you need to book tickets in advance.
Price: 10€.
Where can one buy: on the website Des Mots et Des Arts.
When: from May to September (according to other information, from July - check on the website). Tours run every hour from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Address: Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques on rue de Rivoli. Châtelet metro.
Pantheon
The tomb of outstanding people of France, outwardly almost our Isaac. According to reviews, the view from the top is good, but a little expensive.
Price: € 9. And it seems like you have to pay 2 € more for the dome, but this is not certain.
When: from April to the end of September from 10:00 to 18:30, the rest of the time - until 18:00.
Address: Place du Pantheon, Metro Cardinal Lemoine.
They say the view from the basilica is breathtaking and different from what is seen from the foot. This is the second height after the Eiffel Tower. The basilica is lush and quirky, a must-see. The entrance to the church itself is free.
Price: 7 € per viewing. The rise is to the left of the entrance to the church.
When: Entrance to the church daily from 6:00 to 22:30. Better early in the morning or in the evening, when there are few tourists. Ascent to the top - from 8:30 to 20:00 (May-September) and from 9:00 to 17:00 (October-April).
