When in Paris, Finding the best views of Paris that are beyond the normal tourist bucket list can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That’s why we came up with our guide for locating the paris viewpoints that everyone sees on Instagram, but no one knows how to master! After all finding the best views of Paris is one thing, but learning the best tips for navigating European crowds and harsh sceneries can leave you beyond confused.
Tips for finding the best views in Paris
🌧️ Check the weather Before Looking For Views in Paris
Sometimes things like the weather can put a damper on your plans and, well, your views. If it’s super cloudy or rainy, then you may not get to enjoy the views you had hoped for. You definitely don’t want to hike or climb up to a viewpoint only to see nothing due to clouds or the weather. You also don’t want to book tickets to something, and it has been canceled or ruined due to bad weather.
💃🏻 Learn to maneuver around the crowds in Paris
Sometimes just by going super early or super late, you can avoid large crowds. Other times you’ll have to learn to avoid peak tourist season when you plan your trips. Crowds will definitely change due to weather, time of the year and time of day so always be aware of these factors and how they might be advantageous to you. If you’re willing to wake up at 6 am for the perfect photo in front of the Louvre or if you’re willing to take photos on a cloudy day then you can uses these factors to your advantage to avoid crowds.
🧳 Pack only necessities for the day
If you’re out and about doing a lot of walking and climbing then you’ll want to pack very light and take only what you need. The last thing someone wants is to lug around an extra 20 pounds worth of stuff because you had to bring 3 extra outfits and 2 pairs of shoes with you on your day of sightseeing.
👗 Wear comfortable clothing while strolling through Paris
You’ll want to ensure you wear the proper attire for your day’s worth of travels. If you’re hiking or climbing, then be sure to wear something light and breathable. If it’s super hot or cold, then you’ll want to make sure that you will be comfortable. If you’re doing a ton of walking or climbing, then you’ll want to make sure you are wearing the right shoes.
☀️ Visit during the right time of year
Occasionally famous monuments will be closed at certain times of the year or they may have seasonal hours that vary. You’ll want to make sure you plan your trip to Paris at a time that you can visit all of your bucket list viewpoints.
Paris is one of the most well-known and desired cities to visit so you’ll probably always have to deal with tons of people visiting at the same time as you. But if you can, try to avoid visiting during peak tourist seasons, like the summer months from June to August. Though summer is by far the nicest time to visit with the warm weather, beautiful sunsets, and peaceful atmosphere.
Since summertime can be very crowded with long lines so it can be harder to get those nice photos without tons of people in the background. But with the right editing software or the right photo-taking skills, you may be able to get away with it. If you hate the hot weather, then you’re better off visiting Paris during the Wintertime if you really want a non- crowded trip; otherwise, be prepared for long lines. If you’re kind of in between cold and hot weather and you hate long lines you’ll want to visit during Fall or Spring.
🎟️ Purchase and reserve tickets ahead of time
Typically you’ll have to endure long ticket lines, but if you reserve or purchase your tickets ahead of time you can sometimes get out of waiting in these long annoying lines. So, if possible, try to book tickets online beforehand to save yourself some time and the extra headache.
⛪️ For any religious places, plan outfits ahead of time
Often times if you reserve your tickets ahead of time, this can help you skip the lines and ensure that you have a ticket for a certain time slot or day! Sometimes even 15 minutes of standing in lines can ruin the flow of your day so try your best to purchase tickets online ahead of time so there’s no confusion or ticket sellouts on your watch!
The 14 most beautiful views of Paris, France
Eiffel Tower For Panoramic Views Of Paris
Cost: The cost really depends on whether or not you want to go to the second floor or to the very top and whether you want to take the stairs or the lift. Lift tickets will be more expensive than stairs tickets. Price also varies by age range (adult, youth, child) and for the disabled.
When
Time: The best time of day to visit the Eiffel Tower is definitely during the day, probably closer to Golden Hour, so you have the best clear view of the city and the sunset. However, at dusk, the Tower will light up and then you’ll want to switch gears and hit the Champ de Mars to see the Tower sparkle with the best view.
Why should you visit the Eiffel Tower?
Why else do people visit the Eiffel Tower? Because it’s freakin awesome and gives you a stunning view of Paris! The Eiffel Tower is a huge piece of history and one of the most iconic monuments of all time. It’s just one of those things you hear about in childhood.
As a kid, you hear about the Eiffel Tower and dream of going to the top of it, or was that just me? Anyways, the famous landmark offers stunning views of the city of Paris and serves as the perfect photo backdrop. Plus, you feel like you’re literally on top of the world, and that in and of itself is a fantastic feeling.
Need a break from Paris? Want to be a kid again? Then read our guide on Disneyland Paris! We absolutely loveddddd this Disney Park, and it was the perfect day trip for us, away from the city!
Arc de Triomphe: A Beautiful Sunset View of Paris
Cost: 13 euros unless you meet certain criteria (disabled, EU resident, etc. )
When
Time: You’ll definitely want to visit the Arc de Triomphe at sunset, going right into dusk. The street lights become illuminated on both sides of the famous monument, so you get the most wonderful view of the Paris skyline and photos to accompany it!
Why
This is a very famous landmark filled with French history dating back to the French revolution and set on Place Charles de Gaulle. The monument itself was built to honor those who fought and died for France during the French revolution. Between its rich historical importance and spectacular views, the Arc de Triomphe is well worth the visit.
Montparnasse tower
Cost: the price to tour Montparnasse varies based on age range, disability, and student status. Regular adult pricing starts at 18 euros and varies from there.
When
You’ll want to tour Montparnasse tower right around Golden hour as you’ll get to see the city in all of its glory, and then you’ll get to watch the city light up and shine during the nighttime.
Why
This is one of the best spots in the city to enjoy a panoramic view of the Paris skyline.
Traveling Europe in the hopes of finding stunning views? Read our other popular viewpoints guide in europe hotspots such as milan, rome, Venice, barcelona, Madrid, Athens, and more! - Best Views Of Venice, views from stunning venetian canals to gorgeous cathedrals. - Best Views of Milan, witness cathedrals to panoramic views. - Best View of Florence, find out what the best view of Florence is, you may be surprised. - Best Views of Rome, explore ancient roman ruins to stunning rome viewpoints - Best Views of Barcelona, -Best Views of Madrid - Best Views of Athens
Along the Seine
Cost: Free!
When: The Seine River is really one of those things that you can visit at any time because no matter what, you’ll still get to enjoy gorgeous Parisian city views. During the day, you’ll get to people-watch, see the beautiful architecture of the older Parisian buildings and watch the Seine flow freely. During the night, you’ll get to enjoy an illuminated Paris and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
Why
If you’re tired of visiting museums and being stuck in crowded buildings, then perhaps taking a nice stroll along one of the most scenic parts of the city is just the thing for you. You can grab a coffee or drink and enjoy your walk while you get to people-watch or just enjoy the nice scenery around you. It’s not every day that you get to walk along the Seine in the beautiful city of Paris.
Montmartre
Cost: Free!
When
This is a very charming hilltop area in the city of Paris that is free to roam around as it is an open area. You’ll probably want to visit this area during the morning as you’ll find it is the least crowded at this time. It’s also a lot quieter and more serene, making the visit more enjoyable.
Why
This part of Paris is actually quite special as it has a village feel in such a big city. The area is filled with artistry, cobblestone streets, and gorgeous architecture. This part of the city was once home to many great artists, including Van Gogh and Picasso hence why it holds such a unique legacy in the city.
You’ll also find the Sacre Coeur church here, which is a sight to see itself, and some nearby squares and parks where you can take a nice stroll to enjoy the scenery. The area also becomes a bustling nightlife scene with illuminated streets and spectacular views of the Sacre Coeur.
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Sacre Couer
Cost: The Sacré Coeur Basilica is free to visit, but if you are looking to explore the dome or the crypt, then you will have to purchase tickets for these parts of the church.
When
The Sacre Coeur basilica is open from early morning to late in the evening every day; with that said that said the best time to visit is either very early in the morning or very late at night. Early in the morning is best to see the panoramic views of the city from the dome while not being very crowded with people. Meanwhile, late at night is best to see the illuminated city of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from afar.
Why
Sacré-Coeur is one of the most popular things to do in Montmartre, the Sacré Coeur itself is an iconic monument most recognizable for its Byzantine-style architecture, white color, and for it being at one of the highest points in the city.
Since it’s possibly the highest viewing point in the city besides the Eiffel Tower, you can get stunning panoramic views of the city from the dome. Plus, this monument is free to visit and is set in a very historical part of the city so you can also stroll around Montmartre while you’re at it and knock out two birds with one stone.
Pantheon
Cost: Tickets start around 11.50 euros plus a few extra euros to visit the upper parts of the Pantheon, which is where you get all the amazing views of the city and the Eiffel Tower. You can only visit the upper parts of the Pantheon from April- October, so keep that in mind when planning your trip!
When
The Pantheon is best to visit right at the opening time, which is typically 10 am, so you can avoid long lines, large crowds, and people getting in your photos. You’ll also get impressive views from the dome and won’t have to fight for view spots if you choose to go higher up.
Why
The Pantheon is a famous monument and serves as a wonderful photo backdrop. If you visit the dome you can also get a spectacular view of the city and the Eiffel Tower. Its well worth the visit to enjoy the Pantheon and the very best panoramic views it has to offer.
Parc de Belleville
Cost: Free!
When
The best time to visit this park is definitely during the afternoon so you have full daylight and can enjoy the scenery and amazing Paris views.
Why
This is a nice place to visit as it is free to visit so it can help cut down on costs, and it has pretty decent views of the city and nice scenery.
La Grande Arche de la Defense
Cost: roughly 15 euros
When
The best time to visit the Grande Arche is during the early morning as you’ll get the shortest lines, the least amount of people in your photos and the perfect amount of daylight to see the great views from the top of the Arche.
Why
The Grande Arche is a super cool monument to look at and take photos of. The views of the city from the top of the Arche are unlike most other monuments we listed and is rather unique in that way. From here you get a great look at the Arche de Triomphe and the Seine.
Parc des Buttes Chaumont
Cost: Free!
When
Definitely visit this park during the day so you have full daylight to enjoy the stunning views of both the park itself and the views of the city.
Why
While the park has great city views, keep in mind that the park itself is a thing of beauty and should be enjoyed. This makes for the perfect place to slow down from your crazy travels and maybe enjoy a nice picnic and a stroll.
Les Jardins du Trocadero
Cost: Free!
When
The perfect time to visit Trocadero is around sunset. You’ll capture great photos of the Eiffel tower both during sunset and then at dusk, and you’ll be able to get some photos of the illuminated Eiffel tower. But if you would like to avoid people being in your photos, then you should visit as early in the day as you possibly can.
Why
This place offers the absolute best up-close views of the Eiffel Tower itself without being too close or too far. Plus, the place is free to visit, and if you visit at the right time, you can avoid tons of people in the background of your photos.
Le Jardin du Luxembourg
Cost: Free!
When
The most wonderful time to visit these gardens are during the early afternoon so you see everything at the brightest, sunniest time of day.
Why
This isn’t a place that offers great city views but trusts us, its worth the visit. The gardens themselves provide the most breathtaking view. The scenery of the gardens and trees combined with the surrounding monuments and the pond are so tranquil and beautiful.
Towers of Notre Dame
Cost: To visit the Notre Dame cathedral itself is free, but if you’re trying to visit the towers of Notre dame, you will need to purchase a ticket.
When
Since the Notre Dame Cathedral had a terrible fire that tore through it, it is closed to the public while it undergoes repairs. The opening date is set for 2024. So make sure to plan a trip back to Paris during 2024 or later ☺️
Why
This is a very famous and well-known cathedral that should be seen now more than ever since it was almost lost in a fire years ago. Visit the cathedral and see for yourself why it’s such famous and is so adored by the entire world. The towers also provide incredible views of the city.
Galeries Lafayette
Cost: Free!
When
This rooftop area is located in a shopping mall or department store on Boulevard Haussmann. So, it can be visited anytime within operating hours of the department store.
Why
This is a nice getaway from your day-to-day travels, giving you some time to shop or browse in the shopping areas. It’s also nice since its located on top of indoors so it can get you out of the heat or cold and give you a nice break. The rooftop is free to visit and has amazing skyline views of Paris.
Restaurants with a view
These are some very popular restaurants and bars with some of the best views while you eat or drink. Some of these restaurants, lounges, and bars have rooftop terraces and outdoor dining areas with great skyline views of the city. Meanwhile, some have indoor dining and large glass windows with nice views.
- Le Perchoir
- Maison Blanche
- Les Ombres
- Terrass Rooftop Bar
- Terrase du Printemps