Paris from above: sightseeing platforms of the city

A trip to Paris will be incomplete unless you bring back a fine collection of beautiful photos.

This article will be useful for those who would like to take a look at the city from above and to that end we will tell you about the best viewing platforms in Paris. Let's see which places are worth waiting in line for and which are not. Let's go!

1. Upper floors of the Eiffel Tower

This most visited attraction in Paris can become not just a background for your photos, but also an excellent viewing platform. In addition, it is one of the most inexpensive attractions in the city, climbing the Eiffel Tower costs from 4 to 16 euros. Tourists who would prefer not to wait in a long queue for the elevators can climb the tower on foot. The  queue is shorter here and the price is lower.

The first tier is located at an altitude of 57.5 meters, the second one - at an altitude of 116 meters. There is a really beautiful view of the Trocadero complex, the Champ de Mars, a panorama of the Pont-le-Dien. You can see from Montmartre to Defense and both the domes of the Sacré-Cœur and the skyscrapers of the business district outside the city.

You can climb the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower during the summer. It is normally open from June 15 to September 1.

2. Montparnasse Tower

The height of the only skyscraper in Paris is 210 meters, and from here you can enjoy an equally rich panorama of the city. You will see the Eiffel Tower, the high-rise buildings of the Defense, and the green city streets spreading in different directions and embracing the domes of churches and light-gray houses of the city. The entrance to Montparnasse costs an average of 7 euros, an undoubted benefit of this place is the absence of kilometer-long queues.

3. The Arc de Triomphe

The arch crowns the Champs-Elysees and rises on the Place Charles de Gaulle, or the square of the star. Indeed, it is worth climbing higher to understand where this name came from. Twelve avenues bearing the name of war heroes or important military events diverge from the Triumphal Arch. In one direction there is a beautiful view of the Champs-Elysees, and if you look in the opposite direction, there is a panorama of the business district of Defense. The cost of visiting the arch is from 9.50 euros.

4. Notre-Dame Cathedral

Not everyone knows that Notre Dame is almost as thrilling from the top as it is from the bottom. Fans of Parisian roofs should come up here. Although the view is not as impressive as the one from Montparnasse, you will still get a close look at the famous gargoyles and see the island of Cité. The entrance to the cathedral is free, but you will have to pay 8 euros or more to climb the tower.

5. Montmartre

The Montmartre quarter is famous for its artists, musicians, cozy cafes, and it is also the highest point in the city with a wonderful panorama. You can climb to the Sacré-Cœur, the cathedral on the top of a 130-meter hill. It is free if you use a wide staircase or you can pay for a cable railway ride.

6. Roofs of department stores

The famous Printemps stores and the Lafayette Gallery are some great places to appreciate the city from above. In the Printemps department store, you should go up to the ninth floor and find an exit to the roof. From here you can see the Eiffel Tower, the Paris Opera building, and the Sacré-Cœur Cathedral in the distance. The glittering gilded statues on the roofs and the old buildings decorated with stucco work are worth seeing, especially since roof access is free.

You can only see the roof of the Opera from the roof of the Galleria Lafayette, however, it is worth coming here to marvel at the interior of the store with its stunning balconies and the famous dome of the building from the inside.

7. Arab World Institute

The best view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral is from here. Admission to the Institute is free and there usually aren’t any queues. We advise you to come here in the late afternoon to see Notre Dame illuminated by the setting sun.

8. The Centre Pompidou: modern and contemporary art collection

Connoisseurs of modern art will really enjoy visiting the museum, especially since the building itself is a work of art!. The height of the platform is 45 meters, and a visit to the roof will cost 3 euros (the cost of visiting the exhibition is up to 14 euros). However, this is one of the most disappointing viewing platforms, even though you can see the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré-Cœur from there.

9. The Big Arch of the Defense

The ascent to the main arch of the business district will cost 10 euros, its height is 110 meters. You can enjoy a view of the city center: the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees.

10. Ballon de Paris Generali (Hot Air Balloon)

In the Citroën Park, you can ride a hot air balloon, which will take you to a height of 150 meters for 10 minutes. It costs from 12 euros.