Travel Tips

Have a sightseeing of Paris from a high point is the goal of each tourist coming to Paris.

But you can be cunning and save your money choosing both the best point and the cheapest.

We have INITIALLY classified the points by increasing price.

For example, this photograph is taken from the Mont Valérien, the belvedere in front of the American Cemetary. Paris is at 7 kilometers and it is FREE. You overlook Paris from West.

We can do better.

(Pics initially presented by order of cost)

Take the tunnel in avenue des Champs Elysées or avenue de la Grande Armée to go on the place Charles de Gaulle Etoile.

Climb by a difficult stair at 50 meters (lift for disable persons only) to enjoy a pleasant view on the area. The Tour Eiffel seems to be toy near by the Arch.

On the photograph :
- Left : avenue de la Grande Armée (West) and La Défense
- Right : avenue des Champs Elysées (East)

Metro : Charles de Gaulle - Etoile

A marvellous view on Paris from the West side. You see La Défense, Pont de Neuilly on the Seine, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, Concorde.

Metro : La Défense - Grande Arche

See the travelogue on La Défense.

When the tower was built somebody launched this joke :"Where is the best viewpoint of Paris ? The Tour Maine Montparnasse because it the only point of the Capital from which one does not see the Tour Maine Montparnasse". Silly, no ?

A lift goes to the 59° floor. If the weather is foggy, there is nothing to see. I have a client at the 42°. In Winter, I have the feeling he works in the clouds.

Metro : Montparnasse-Bienvenue

The "Grand Rocher" of the Zoo de Vincennes has 65 meters. It dominates the East Area of Paris and the entiere zoo .

You must enter in the Zoo (8 or 5 E if you get a reduced price) and pay an added ticket to go by a lift on the top of the rock (false).

The rock have been just remodling and it is reopened since the June 2003.

Metro : Porte Dorée

Every days from 9AM to midnight. The caption price is for the lift to the 3rd floor (updated February 2003)

It is certainly the best panorama on Paris but one the most expensive and ... the longest file too. I shot the picture during the low season at 11AM, a day of fog. Though, the line was 50 meters long.

2nd floor : 7€/1st floor : 3.70 €
By stairs (1st & 2nd floors) : 3 €

Métro : Bir Hakeim or Trocadero. Be aware of the nearest station "Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel" is on the RER line C which has a VERY LOW frequency of trains.

Located in the Parc André Citroën (South West of Paris), the Fortis Balloon gives a large view on Paris.

But it is expensive for 5 mn at 50 meters.

Classified as a Tourist Trap : you finance the advertisement of a Life Insurance Company (FORTIS).

Metro : Balard

See the Parc André Citroën on the travelogue "Paris Gardens".

Samaritaine is a departement store located place de l'Ecole and Rue de Rivoli (metro : Pont Neuf).

Go to the 9th floor by the lift, then climb to the 11th.

FREE

Last news : Samaritaine is now closed for an undeterminated duration.

It is also a department store located boulevard Haussmann near Opera.

The belvedere is at the 9th floor of the building called "Le Printemps de la Maison".

Metro : Havre Caumartin or Opera.

A similar view can be found at the 7th floor of the neighbor store : Les galeries Lafayette.

If you can to resist to buy something in the store, it is FREE.

On the place du Parvis du Sacré Coeur, enjoy a huge viewpoint on Paris (mainly right bank). It is free.

Metro : Abbesses then funicular to the top of Montmartre.

FREE

Climb to the Dôme of the Basilic to have a better view than at the level of the "Parvis".

Metro : Abbesses then the funicular (cable car)

At the 9th floor of the building located near the Seine, close to the Jussieu University.

Metro : Jussieu

The entrance in the Museum of the Centre Georges Pompidou allows to go on the top of the building.

I cheat on the photograph : I was in the library, not on the terrass.

Métro : Chatelet - Les Halles

You climb by the stairs in the Towers to enjoy this beautiful sight seeing.

Metro : Cité or Chatelet-les Halles

On the photograph : in the far horizon the Sacré Coeur.