Paris · Montparnasse, 15th arrondissement · Ticketed

Montparnasse Tower: The 360° View With the Eiffel Tower In It

Paris's only skyscraper is the building Parisians love to hate — which is exactly the joke: the view from the top is the best in the city, because it's the one place you can't see the Montparnasse Tower.

By the AllTrips Editorial Team · September 28, 2026

Montparnasse Tower at a glance

Area: Montparnasse, on the border of the 14th and 15th arrondissements — 33 avenue du Maine. Allow: 1–1.5 hours. Entry: ticketed; sunset slots are the most popular. Nearby: the Catacombs 15 minutes south, Montparnasse Cemetery next door, the Luxembourg Garden a short walk east.

The tower Paris loves to hate

The Tour Montparnasse opened in 1973, built over the old Montparnasse railway station as the flagship of a grand plan to modernise the district. Paris reacted with horror: the dark, 210-metre slab was so widely loathed that in 1977 the city effectively banned tall buildings from its centre — which is why, half a century later, it still stands alone on the skyline, the only skyscraper inside Paris proper.

Time has been kinder than reputation. The tower is simply part of Paris now, and its isolation is the whole point: nothing competes with it, so from the top the entire city lies spread out in every direction — the Eiffel Tower to the west, the Louvre and Notre-Dame along the Seine, Sacré-Cœur on its hill, La Défense on the horizon.

The view from the top

One of Europe's fastest lifts takes you to the 56th floor in about 38 seconds: a fully glazed panoramic level with orientation panels, interactive displays and a champagne bar. Stairs then lead up to the open-air rooftop terrace on the 59th floor — 360 degrees of Paris, protected by safety glass but open to the sky, and the single best place in the city to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour after dark.

Compared with the Eiffel Tower itself, the experience is quicker, calmer and cheaper in spirit: no security queues snaking across a plaza, no jostling at the railings. The trade-off is obvious — you are looking at the icon rather than standing on it — and for a second or return trip to Paris, many visitors end up preferring this one.

Tickets and booking

Entry is ticketed, with day and evening slots; sunset is the most popular time and the first to sell out. Prices and time slots change seasonally, so confirm them when you book.

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Practical tips

• Time it for sunset. Arrive about an hour before sunset: daylight view, golden hour, then the city lights and the Eiffel Tower's sparkle on the hour.
• Go to the roof. The 56th floor is behind glass; the open-air terrace on the 59th is the real thing — don't skip the stairs up.
• Bring a layer. The rooftop is exposed and windy even on warm evenings.
• Check the weather. Cloud and haze flatten the view; on a clear day you can see 40 km. If the forecast is bad, swap days if your ticket allows.
• Easy with children. No long queues, no long walks, and the lift ride is an attraction in itself.

Getting there

The entrance is at 33 avenue du Maine, beside the Montparnasse-Bienvenüe station — one of Paris's biggest interchanges, served by métro lines 4, 6, 12 and 13 and mainline trains to Brittany and the west. From the métro, follow signs for the tower; the visitor entrance is on the Rue de l'Arrivée side.

Montparnasse Tower in photos

What is nearby?

The Montparnasse Cemetery (Sartre, Beauvoir, Baudelaire) is a five-minute walk, the famous crêperies of rue du Montparnasse are at the tower's feet, and the Catacombs at Denfert-Rochereau are a 15-minute walk south — an easy same-afternoon pairing. The Luxembourg Garden begins a short walk to the east. See the whole area on our Paris attractions map.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Montparnasse Tower view better than the Eiffel Tower's?

Different, and for many people better: it is the only high view of Paris that actually includes the Eiffel Tower, and the open-air rooftop terrace gives a full 360° panorama. It is also far less crowded and much quicker to get up.

How high is the Montparnasse Tower?

210 metres, 59 floors. The panoramic floor is on the 56th, reached by one of Europe's fastest lifts in about 38 seconds, and an open-air terrace crowns the roof at the very top.

Do I need to book Montparnasse Tower tickets in advance?

It is much less pressured than the Eiffel Tower, and same-day tickets are often available — but sunset slots are the most popular, so booking ahead is still the safe choice, especially in summer.

When is the best time to visit the Montparnasse Tower?

Late afternoon into sunset: you get the city in daylight, watch the lights come on, and see the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour after dark. Check sunset time and arrive about an hour before it.

Is the Montparnasse Tower suitable for children?

Yes — the lift ride and the view are child-friendly, the visit needs no long walking, and there are interactive displays on the 56th floor. The rooftop terrace is fully enclosed by safety glass.

Sources

• Montparnasse Tower — official website (prices, hours, sunset times and booking)

Reviewed September 2026. Confirm current prices, hours and terrace access on the official site before visiting.