Best Views of Paris

If you are looking for the best views of Paris, you have come to the right place. For this piece, we asked some fellow travel bloggers and friends about the best views in Paris you shouldn’t miss, completing the list with a few of our personal favorites.  

Here’s the roundup of the best views of Paris in no particular order, great Paris views with a map to help you pinpoint all these photo spots.

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Map of Best Paris Views

Here’s the map with the best views of Paris,  whether it’s panoramic views over the city or the best place to capture the Eiffel Tower.

Best Views of Paris Map Made by Google My Maps

Click here to view the map on Google

From the Top of the Eiffel Tower

Suggested by Rhonda, Travel? Yes Please! | IG: @travelyesplease

While the Eiffel Tower is the focal point of some of the best views of Paris, the tower itself is one of the best places to enjoy views of the city.

At over 320 m tall, the Eiffel Tower offers stunning panoramic views of Paris from its observation decks on the first floor, second floor, and very top. You can see several of the city’s most notable landmarks including the Sacré Coeur, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Les Invalides, Place du Trocadéro, and Champ de Mars sprawling out from the base of the tower.

For the best photos, a wide-angle lens will help capture several landmarks in one frame, whereas a zoom lens allows you to focus on specific details from above.

View of Sacré Coeur in Montmartre

Suggested by Mal, Raw Mal Roams | IG: @rawmalroams

Sacré Coeur is my favorite spot in Paris because you can get a great view of the city, which is particularly magical if you arrive at sunrise.

And for the best photo angle of the church itself, go down to the nearby park and try capturing it with the colorful carousel in the foreground, for an ultimate Parisienne vibe.

After the sunrise photoshoot, I recommend going for breakfast in one of the cafes in the Montmartre area. 

The photo was taken at Square Louise Michel in front of the Sacré Coeur Basilica. The easiest way to get here is by metro, and the closest metro stop is Anvers (line 2).

View from the Towers of Notre Dame

Suggested by Sam, My Flying Leap | IG: @myflyingleap

Paris is a treasured city filled with many iconic buildings, and a top place on any must-see Paris list is Notre Dame. This iconic gothic cathedral was built during the Middle Ages and it’s located in the center of Paris in Île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement. 

You can tour the cathedral and enjoy the exquisite and detailed carvings on and around the front door, as well as explore the crypt. However, the best part of Notre Dame is near the top. You can climb a narrow and winding staircase to the top of the cathedral for some of the best views of Paris. 

When you get almost to the top, you will see this gargoyle overlooking the city. This view of Paris from above with the gargoyle was the highlight of my visit. Can you imagine all he has seen?

View of Pont Alexandre iii

Suggested by Maartje & Sebastiaan, The Orange Backpack | IG: @theorangebackpack.nl

The Pont Alexandre III is one of the most beautiful bridges crossing the Seine in Paris. The location close to other highlights in Paris and the beautiful building style make the Alexandre III-bridge one of the most instagrammable locations in Paris.

The bridge is named after the Russian tsar Alexandre III. His son, tsar Nicholas II who you might know as the last Russian tsar, had the honor of laying the foundation stone in 1896. It took four more years before the bridge was officially ‘opened’ during the universal exhibition in Paris.

The style of the bridge is typical art nouveau with its unique lanterns, sculptures, and nymphs. The white stone, steel construction, and golden, winged horses are beautifully extravagant.

View from Montparnasse Tower

Suggested by Tori, Tori Leigh | IG: @torileighblog

Montparnasse Tower is the tallest building within the city limits of Paris and its only skyscraper. It also boasts incredible 360-degree views of Paris.

As the same suggests, Montparnasse Tower is situated in the Montparnasse neighborhood in the heart of Paris. It is a 210-foot office skyscraper with a two-floor panoramic observatory at the top. The first floor of the observatory features modern decor, a restaurant and bar, and large windows to relax and marvel Paris from inside.

The second floor, open-air terrace is known for showcasing the most impressive Paris views during all times of day and night. To capture some of the most breathtaking moments, visit in the early morning, during sunset, or, my personal favorite, to watch Paris light up at night.

View from the Panthéon

Suggested by Norbert, France Bucket List

The Panthéon is one of the top attractions in Paris. Located in the Latin Quarter, in Paris 5, this former church built in neoclassic style was transformed in 1791 into the final resting place for France’s Grandes Hommes. The visit inside is very interesting and in addition to the tombs, you can also see a replica of Foucault’s pendulum hanging from the cupola.

Few visitors know that from April to October it is possible to climb up to the Pantheon’s cupola for one of the best views in Paris. The ticket costs 2 more euros but it is well worth the climb on a clear day.

Nicknamed the Balcony of Paris, visitors can enjoy a view of rue Soufflot down to the Luxembourg Gardens, the Senate, and the Eiffel Tower and the Invalides’ golden cupola in the background.

View from Montmartre

Suggesed by Džangir, Dr Jam Travels | IG: @dzangirkolar

Montmartre is a large hill in Paris in the northern section of the city. It is 130 meters high. Nowadays the butte is very touristy, and each corner is packed with tourists.

In the 16th century, Loyola established the Jesuit order in Montmartre. From the 19th century on it was popular with artists like Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, or Picasso.

The main feature on the hill is the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur. In front of the church, you have one of the best views of Paris. Open space down the stairs in the Square Louise-Michel enables visitors to catch a wide-angle of the city. At the bottom of scales, if you turn around, the basilica will dominate. This spot offers good shot possibilities and a good starting point to explore Montmartre.

View of the Louvre Pyramid from Cafe Marly

Suggested by Dymphe, Dymabroad | IG: @dymabroad

One of the best places in Paris with a view is Cafe Marly. Cafe Marly is a beautiful cafe inside the Louvre building. From here you have an amazing view of the iconic Louvre Pyramid.

It is really easy to get here as it is located next to the Louvre Pyramid in the western wing of the Louvre building. You can take photos there at any time when the cafe is open. If you want photos with fewer crowds, then coming earlier is better. But, as the Louvre is one of the most famous sights of Paris, crowds also fit the photo very well.

What’s great is that you can have delicious food and drinks here, while shooting a great photo. This is the perfect place to start your visit to the Louvre Museum, or to relax after having explored the collection.

View from Arc de Triomphe

Views from Arc de Triomphe

Suggested by Elisa, World in Paris | @worldinparis

Climb up to the top of Arc de Triomphe for one of the best views of Paris from above. Commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806, this 55-m high triumphal arch honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It also houses the tomb of the Unknown Soldier whose flame is rekindled every evening.

On the east, you have the Historical Axis at your feet with the Champs Elysées, Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden, and the Louvre Palace a bit further. In the picture, you can also see the roof glass of Grand Palais, and Norte Dame of Paris!

You can climb up to Arc de Triomphe all year round but it is especially beautiful in the months of October and November when the trees along the Champs Elysées and the Tuileries Gardens are covered with the fall colors.

View from Trocadéro

Iconic picture at Eiffel Tower

Suggested by Valérie, World in Paris | @worldinparis

One of the best views of the Eiffel Tower is from Trocadéro, in the 16th Arrondissement of Paris. From here, you have a front view of the Eiffel Tower which is right across the Seine River.

Trocadéro is dominated by the Palais Chaillot, built in 1937. The esplanade between the two buildings and the stairs that lead to the Trocadéro Gardens are one of the favorite photo locations for professional photographers in Paris.

Trocadéro is a very popular photo spot in Paris and the esplanade can get very crowded. For one of the best views in Paris without the crowds get there at sunrise. Early in the morning, you will only find professional photographers working whilst normal tourists arrive at Trocadéro around 9 am.

And there you have it, the list of best views of Paris to get the most epic shots, what are your favorite Paris views?

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Quirky Parisian explorers with a preference for lesser-known sights, we are continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the City of Light! Read more about us.