Many tourists overlook the Tour Montparnasse, a rather austere glass and steel skyscraper looming over the horizon of the eponymous Montparnasse district in the capital’s south-central 15th district / district.
However, for those looking for fantastic panoramic views of Paris, few other advantages beat this humble tower, even surpassing that of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t make the mistake of getting lost yourself – head to the 59th floor for dazzling 360-degree views of the entire city.
Visiting the tower: key facts and highlights
The 689-foot tower, considered the only real skyscraper in Paris, was built in 1970 as part of efforts by then-French President Georges Pompidou to modernize the city and its infrastructure. He was, like so many other now famous monuments in the city (including the Eiffel Tower) denounced as an eyesore in the city, and no other skyscrapers of his stature were subsequently built within the traditional city limits.
Read related: 4 towers that are worth visiting in Paris that are not the Eiffel
With a total of 59 floors, in addition to 6 underground levels, the tower has a staggering 25 elevators , each with different floors and parts of the tower. Many are extremely fast: the fastest allows passengers to glide from the ground floor to the 56th floor in 38 seconds (about 19 feet per second). If you have vertigo or a fear of elevators, you might get a little scared by this!
To get to the upper floor and the terrace, it is accessed by stairs only from the 56th floor . Unfortunately, this makes the Montparnasse Tower inaccessible for visitors with limited mobility. However, they can still enjoy the panoramic views from the 56th floor.
Panoramic views from the upper deck
The 56th floor level offers 360-degree views of the entire city, so don’t forget your camera! This floor also has a cafeteria that offers light meals, as well as a gift shop.
For even more dramatic panoramic views over the capital, the rooftop terrace (again, sadly accessible only by stairs) is more exposed and dramatic, and is touted as the highest place in Paris (at 200 meters) to enjoy those. broad prospects. For those with a fear of heights, don’t worry: the entire terrace is protected under a curved glass roof structure.
Restaurants on site
The tower houses the aforementioned café on the 56th floor, as well as a gastronomic restaurant for lunch and formal dinner, Le Ciel de Paris. Visitors must book in advance for the formal restaurant – see this page for more information.
Location and contact information:
The tower is easily accessible from the Montparnasse-Bienvenue metro station. Although it seems quite far from the center of Paris, it is really only about a 30 minute walk (assuming you know where you are going, with the help of a good Paris city map or travel app).
- Address: 33, avenue du Maine, 15th arrondissement (the main entrance and access to the ATMs are at the foot of the Tower, on Rue de l’arrivee)
- Tel: +33 (0) 1 45 38 52 56
- Metro: Montparnasse-Bienvenue or Raspail (lines 4, 6, 12 or 14)
- Visit the official website (in English) for current ticket prices, online booking, panoramic webcam and more.
Opening hours and tickets:
In high season (from April 1 to September 30), the tower and its «Panoramic Visitor Center» are open every day from 9:30 am to 11:30 pm. In low season (from October 1 to October 31 March), the center is open from Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and from Friday to Saturday and the night before holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. They close 30 minutes early, so be sure to arrive early to guarantee entry.
For current ticket prices and to book online , visit this page on the official website.
Nearby sights and attractions
Visit the tower before or after exploring the charming and decidedly non-touristy Montparnasse neighborhood and its surroundings. During the 1920s and 1930s, this was an intellectual and artistic hotbed that saw a fostering of creativity among writers, artists, and painters, including Henry Miller and Tamara de Lempicka, as well as many others. Today, it is prized for its peaceful parks and cemeteries, cobblestone streets, and old-world charm. It is also home to many excellent creperies in Paris. The main sights and attractions near the tower include:
- Paris catacombs museum
- Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Arts
- Rue Daguerre (a charming market street)
- Musee Bourdelle (dedicated to the French sculptor)
- Ti Jos Creperie and Breton Pub
