Paris is different from many metropolitan cities in that its fairly short—most buildings are only about 6 or 7 storeys high, with a rare few going above that, and usually not anywhere near the city centre. This was partly due to a ban that was imposed on the city for several decades, restricting the height of buildings to a maximum of 7 storeys. It’s no wonder then, that tourists are interested to visit the few and coveted spots in Paris that will give you a bird’s eye view of the stunning French capital. Without further ado, here are the tallest spots in Paris that will give you the best views of the city.
L’Arc de Triomphe (50 meters)
The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile is perhaps one of the most recognisable points of Paris, and stands at Place Charles de Gaulle, the centre of twelve major roads that radiate from this plaza. The Arc’s inner and outer surfaces are inscribed with the names of French victories and generals in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, thus honouring those who fought and died in those wars.
honours those who fought and died for France in those wars.
Notre-Dame de Paris (69 meters)
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Paris is an iconic monument in Paris, serving as the Point Zéro des routes des France, the point at which all distances to and from Paris to other parts of France are measured from. It’s no surprise then, that this is also a popular site to see the city from above.
Though the cathedral is not as high as some other places in this list, it still gives a beautiful view of the surrounding neighbourhood and the river Seine. If nothing else, going up the cathedral will give you a chance to see the gargoyles up close and to pretend at being Quasimodo, the main character of the Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the book that is essentially a love-letter to the cathedral and gothic architecture, and which saved the cathedral itself from demolition.
Montparnasse Tower (210 meters)
The Montparnasse Tower sticks out of the Parisian skyline like a sore thumb. The office tower, built in the early 70s, has been disliked by Parisians ever since, but it does have one saving grace - it has one of the best views of the city.
Though most of the 59-storey building is occupied by offices, the 56th floor is home to Le Ciel de Paris, or The Paris Sky, a gourmet restaurant serving up delicious fare, so you can wine, dine and marvel at the Paris skyline. There’s also a viewing deck on top of the tower, for those who prefer to walk around and see the 360° view in full.
Montmartre and Basilique du Sácre-Cœur (213 meters)
Montmartre is a hill in Paris, and is the highest natural point in the city. Locals and tourists alike are extremely fond of picnicking in the Louise Michel Square, which looks out onto the rest of Paris, giving them spectacular views of the sprawling city.
The Square lies at the foot of the stairs leading up to the Basilique du Sácre-Cœur, a Roman Catholic Church that sits at the summit of Montmartre. The church is one of the most recognisable icons of Paris, with its clean, white facade. Visitors are allowed to go up to the church’s dome, where they will be treated to a magnificent vista of Paris. It’s a great reward for the 300 stairs they need to climb up.
The Eiffel Tower (300 meters)
And finally, the Eiffel Tower. This monument needs no introduction - it is the focal point of Paris, drawing locals and visitors alike. Whether it’s a stroll or a picnic by the base of the tower, or finding a place to stay with a view of it, the Eiffel Tower is almost always in sight.
Initially built for the 1889 World’s Fair as an entranceway, the Eiffel Tower was meant to be deconstructed 20 years after the fair. However, when its permit expired in 1909, the tower had proved to be useful as a communications tool, and was thus kept intact.
Today, it is one of the most well-known and visited monuments in the world, attracting millions of people each year. Three levels of the tower are open to the public—the first two are occupied by restaurants, and the top-most is the viewing deck, standing at 276m above ground and giving the very best views of the city.
