The Maine-Montparnasse Tower, often dubbed as the Tour Montparnasse, stands tall at an imposing height of 689 feet, making it the the third tallest building in all of France after the Eiffel Tower and Tour First. The tower, designed by Eugene Beaudouin, Louis Hoym and Urbain Cassan offers the best panoramic view of Paris, one with the Eiffel Tower in it. Standing atop Montparnasse-Bienvenue Paris Metro, the 59-storey tower is mostly utilized by commercial offices. It also has a gorgeous observation deck, open terraces and a restaurant on the 56th floor. Although the monolithic design of the building doesn’t match the urban landscape of Paris, its uniqueness is evident.
Why Visit Montparnasse Tower
A visit to the Montparnasse Tower rarely features on the travel itineraries of many a people visiting Paris. However, the view of Paris from the Montparnasse Tower's observation deck is unmatchable. With a 360 degree panoramic view of the capital city, the 56th-floor (200 m) observation deck of the Montparnasse Tower offers the best views of the Eiffel and of Paris. Even those who aren't a fan of the building's architecture concede that you can't get a better view of Paris anywhere else. On days when the weather is clear, the observation deck has a stunning 25 miles of visibility.
The eagle-eye view of the capital city from the 360 Café and the panoramic deck will let you see different perspectives of Paris - iconic landmarks, old and new architecture styles, different colored rooftops, and extensive network of streets. Some of the most popular attractions that you can see from the Montparnasse Tower are the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and the Arc De Triomphe. The observation deck is also equipped with binoculars and various informative kiosks to help you see and learn more about Paris. With the advent of night, the view only gets better.
Visiting The Montparnasse Tower
Montparnasse tickets purhased through Headout are valid for 200 days from the date of purchase. This makes it easy for you to plan your trip, without the need to strictly fit it in your itinerary. On the day of your visit, head to the elevator and be whisked to the 56th floor in a matter of seconds. The Montparnasse elevator system is one of the fastest in Europe.
The 56th floor observation deck is an indoor one with floor to ceiling glass walls on all sides - thus offering a complete 360 degree panoramic views of Paris. The floor is without a doubt the best spot to capture photographs of the Eiffel Tower. You can also take the stairs and head to the 59th floor open-air observation deck and enjoy unobstructed views of Paris.
Montparnasse Tower Entrance Tickets: 56th Floor and Roof Terrace
• 56th floor deck
• 59th floor open air terrace
• Unmatchable views of Paris
Price
Adults:
Child:
Once you've had your fill and captured all the photographs you were looking for, you can uniwind at the 360 Café or sit back on the heart-shaped seats at the Bubble Sky Bar and sip artisan champagnes.
The View From Montparnasse Tower
Some of the famous monuments that you can spot from the Montparnasse Tower are:
- Eiffel Tower
- Louvre Museum
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Sainte Chapelle
- Arc De Triomphe
- Sacre Coeur
- Invalides
- Palais Garnier Opera House
Montparnasse Tower Tickets
Montparnasse Tower Entrance Tickets: 56th Floor and Roof Terrace
• 56th floor deck
• 59th floor open air terrace
• 200 day validity from date of issue
Price
Adults:
Child:
Visiting Montparnasse Tower - Practical Information
Open Hours
• October 1 to March 31:
Sunday – Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Friday – Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• April 1 to September 30:
Every day from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m
Getting There
Take buses 28, 58, 82, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95 and 96 to stop near the tower and from there it is within walking distance. The nearest metro station is Montparnasse-Bienvenue which you can reach with metros 4, 6, 12 and 13. Montparnasse Train Station is also nearby.
Dining At The Montparnasse Tower
Ciel de Paris
What can be more enjoyable than sitting at the Ciel de Paris surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and enjoy the far-stretched view of the Paris skyline? Ciel de la Paris, meaning the Paris Sky is the perfect embodiment of its name as this panoramic restaurant is the highest in Paris. Reserve a table by the window and relish the mouth-watering seasonal cuisine for lunch and dinner.
360 Café
The 360 Café is a panoramic cafe which is the highest in France. Come during the visiting hours and roam about the open-air terrace surrounded by glass walls. Sit back and sip on your favorite champagne. Coffee, cold beverages, fast-food, refreshments, croquet-monsieurs, salads, sandwiches and desserts –there is everything for you.
Montparnasse Tower Reviews
While everyone was queuing for the Eiffel Tower we opted for the Montparnasse tower instead. This way we got to enjoy the view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in it. There was virtually no queue to get up there to the top of the tower and the view was very impressive. With a bar and seating area on the top and plenty of fantastic places to pose for pictures. There was a gift shop and a number of facilities around the lift area. It enabled us to get some fantastic panoramic pictures and a view of the city we will never forget. It was lovely and quiet compared to so many other touristy places, be sure to pop by.
So maybe it isn't a secret, but it really is the best view in Paris. We've been up the Eiffel Tower many times over the years and while it's fun to say you've done it, the views from Montparnasse Tower are absolutely amazing and you get to *see* the Eiffel Tower rise above Paris. We went on an overcast day so unfortunately couldn't see everything clearly, but it was still fantastic and not crowded at all. I would definitely do it again the next time we're in Paris and hopefully have a clearer day. I'd love to go up at twilight, too! I can't recommend this enough.
Read what others have to say about the Montparnasse Tower on TripAdvisor.
FAQs: Montparnasse Tower
Often criticized and denounced as the ugliest building in Paris, the impressive Montparnasse tower is the tallest skyscraper of the French Capital and the third tallest structure in France. It rises at 210m above the ground (which is almost 100 less than the Eiffel Tower).
From May 1st, the Observatory is open every day from 9:30am to 11:30pm.
Montparnasse Tower is home to Europe's highest restaurant, Le Ciel de Paris (which aptly means, The Sky of Paris) The Montparnasse district used to be a popular hub for writers and poets of The School of Paris who flocked to the area for cheap housing and studios.
Book your ticket online and go straight to the top in the lift – no queuing! Your ticket gives you access to the city's highest rooftop and the activities and events on offer there (trampoline, yoga, concerts, etc.) You can even enjoy a glass of champagne with that special someone in the world's most romantic city.
Even though it is a bit expensive, we strongly recommend you to visit the Tour Montparnasse. It is worth going there for the view (especially of the Eiffel Tower) and we are sure you can't find better spot for sunsets in all Paris.
