Tour Montparnasse

Enjoy magnificent views of the Eiffel Tower and the beautiful Parisian cityscape from the top of Tour Montparnasse. This modern office tower sits just two miles from the Iron Lady and stands and impressive 210 meters (689 feet) tall. Completed in 1973, the towering structure opens up it top floors to visitors who come to enjoy its unparalleled panoramic views over the City of Light. On a clear day you can see as far as 40 kilometers (27 miles). Featuring an enclosed observation floor as well as an open-air roof terrace, Tour Montparnasse is one of the best-kept secrets in Paris with spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Sacré-Cœur, Place Bastille and many more famous Parisian landmarks.

Visiting

Tour Montparnasse conveniently sits right on top of Montparnasse - Bienvenüe metro station and your visitor experience starts at the ground floor, where you’ll enjoy a trip on the fastest elevator in Europe. Making the climb up to the 56th floor in a record 38 seconds, the elevator reaches speeds of 22 km/h (13 mph) en route!

The panoramic views from the 56th floor are unprecedented. High above the streets of Paris, the high tech attraction offers a range of viewfinders and augmented reality screens to help you explore the city skyline. Parks, landmarks, grand churches and beautiful boulevards are all visible from this lofty vantage point. For added convenience, this floor also includes a cafe (the highest in Europe) and is completely protected from the elements, with heating in the winter and air-condition in the summer, so you can take in all the scenery in absolute comfort.

The views from the 56th are great, but the real crowning jewel of Tour Montparnasse is its magnificent 59th roof terrace. More than 650 feet in the air, this is the highest observation point in the city. The terrace is perfectly positioned for the best possible view of the Eiffel Tower. With the familiar geometric patterns of Champ de Mars in the foreground, and Trocadéro and La Defense in the background, the Eiffel Tower is framed perfectly. Also in the immediate vicinity of Tour Montparnasse are Les Invalides, Luxembourg Gardens and Palais du Luxembourg, Saint Sulpice and Montparnasse Cemetery. In the distance, you can pretty much see all of the rest of Paris, including the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, Pont Alexandre III, Arc de Triomphe and much, much more.

History

The initial idea of building an office tower in Montparnasse originated in 1959, when the neighborhood was in the midst of major redevelopment. Hampered by concerns about its height, it took nine years for the site to obtain building permission. The following year, in 1969, President Georges Pompidou gave the green light to start construction on Tour Montparnasse as part of a concerted effort to modernize the French capital. The first stone was laid in 1970 and the building officially opened in 1973. Standing 210 meters (689 feet) tall, it was the tallest building in France and retained this title until 2011. Locals were initially critical of Tour Montparnasse due to its height, but it has since become an essential part of the Paris skyline.

Paris Perfect's Personal Tip

If you can, we recommend timing your visit to the top of Tour Montparnasse with the sunset. Look west from the 59th floor room terrace and you’ll see the setting sun alongside the Eiffel Tower. The view is absolutely unbeatable.

Essential Information

• Essential Information
• Address: 33 Avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris, France
• Closest Metro: Montparnasse - Bienvenüe
• Official Website: http://www.tourmontparnasse56.com
• Opening Times:
  1 April to 30 September: 9.30am - 11.30pm
  1 October to 31 March: Sunday to Thursday 9.30 - 10.30pm
  Friday to Saturday and holiday eves 9.30 - 11.00pm