Paris is also best discovered from above. The city’s geography, built on hills (Montmartre, Belleville, Sainte-Genevieve) and crossed by the Seine, offers remarkable viewpoints. Some are famous, others remain little known. Here are the ten best panoramas.
The Sacre-Coeur: the classic panorama
The forecourt of the Sacre-Coeur basilica, at 130 meters above sea level on the Montmartre hill, offers the widest view over Paris. On a clear day, the panorama extends for 50 kilometers. Access is free and available at all times. The best moment: early morning or late afternoon, when the low-angle light illuminates the zinc rooftops.
The Tour Montparnasse: the 360-degree view
The terrace on the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse (210 meters) offers a 360-degree panorama of Paris. It is the only elevated viewpoint from which you cannot see the Tour Montparnasse itself, an argument often made with humor. The view of the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides is particularly striking. Admission: 18 euros for adults.
The Buttes-Chaumont: the 19th arrondissement’s secret
The Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement offers, from the Temple de la Sibylle (perched on a 30-meter artificial rock) and the south lawn, a panoramic view of Montmartre and the Sacre-Coeur. It is one of the most pleasant viewpoints in Paris, in a green and quiet setting. Free access.
The Trocadero: the postcard view
The Place du Trocadero in the 16th arrondissement offers the most photographed view of the Eiffel Tower. The forecourt of the Palais de Chaillot, elevated above the gardens, creates a perfectly symmetrical perspective. It is also the starting point for our searches for buyers who want an Eiffel Tower view from their apartment, a criterion that commands a premium.
The Printemps terrace: the free panorama
On the 9th floor of Printemps Haussmann (9th arrondissement), a free terrace offers a 360-degree view over the rooftops of Paris, the Opera Garnier, the Sacre-Coeur and the Eiffel Tower. It is one of the best-kept secrets of Boulevard Haussmann, accessible with no purchase required.
The Parc de Belleville: the hidden gem
The Parc de Belleville in the 20th arrondissement is the highest park in Paris (108 meters). Its terrace offers an exceptional view across western Paris, with the Eiffel Tower as the focal point. The Belleville neighborhood, working-class and multicultural, is attracting more and more buyers for its still-accessible prices and authenticity.
The Centre Pompidou: art and altitude
The terrace on the 6th floor of the Centre Pompidou (4th arrondissement) offers a view of the Marais rooftops, the Sacre-Coeur and the Eiffel Tower. Access is included with the museum ticket. The colorful pipes of Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers’ facade frame the panorama in a unique way.
The Arc de Triomphe: the Champs-Elysees perspective
The top of the Arc de Triomphe (50 meters, 284 steps) offers a spectacular view of the twelve avenues radiating from the Place de l’Etoile, including the Champs-Elysees toward the Louvre and the La Defense perspective. Admission: 16 euros.
The Notre-Dame forecourt: the view restored
After the restoration completed at the end of 2024, the forecourt and towers of Notre-Dame (accessible by reservation) once again offer a unique view of the Ile de la Cite, the Seine and the Left Bank quays. The panorama from the chimeras’ gallery is one of the most romantic in Paris.
The Institut du Monde Arabe: culture and views
The terrace on the 9th floor of the Institut du Monde Arabe (5th arrondissement) offers a bird’s-eye view of the Seine, the Ile Saint-Louis and Notre-Dame. Access to the restaurant-terrace is free (a purchase is required). It is a little-known viewpoint, perched above the Quartier Latin.
The view from home: an investment
In Paris, a view is a real estate asset. A top-floor apartment with an open view over the zinc rooftops sells for 10 to 25% more than a comparable property on a lower floor. A view of a major monument (Eiffel Tower, Seine, Notre-Dame) can add a 30 to 50% premium.
For our property hunters, views are one of the most frequent search criteria. Identifying the buildings, floors and orientations that offer an open view requires intimate knowledge of the Parisian building stock, one building at a time.
Dreaming of a view over the rooftops of Paris from your apartment? Contact our team.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free viewpoint in Paris?
The forecourt of the Sacre-Coeur offers the most spectacular free view of Paris, with a 180-degree panorama over the city. The Printemps Haussmann terrace (9th floor, free) and the Buttes-Chaumont (south lawn) are also excellent free alternatives.
From where can you best see the Eiffel Tower?
The Tour Montparnasse terrace (56th floor), the Trocadero (Place du Trocadero, 16th arrondissement) and the Parc de Belleville (20th arrondissement) offer the three best views of the Eiffel Tower. The Pont de Bir-Hakeim and the Passerelle Debilly allow you to see it in perspective from the Seine.
How much more does an apartment with an open view cost?
In Paris, a high floor with an open view sells for 10 to 25% more than a comparable lower-floor property without a view, at the same size and location. A view of a major monument (Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, Seine) can add a 30 to 50% premium. It is one of the most powerful value drivers in the Parisian market.
