When you’re in Paris, you’ll want to see panoramic views of the city, especially at night. Trust me, the City of Lights was meant to be seen at night! So I’ve compiled a list of places to go for the best views of Paris.

The first thing you’ll probably notice about this list is that the Eiffel Tower isn’t on it. That’s because when you’re in the Eiffel Tower (the most recognizable part of Paris’s skyline), then the Eiffel Tower isn’t in any of your pictures. This is why I’ve ranked all of these other places above the Eiffel Tower for views of the city.

HERE’S WHERE TO GO FOR THE BEST VIEWS OF PARIS!

River Cruise on the Seine

When you think of viewpoints, you usually think of being high up to see a cityscape. But in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre Museum, and the Musée d’Orsay are on the riverbank.

So a river cruise gives you unobstructed views of these landmarks from a unique perspective.

I recommend doing a sunset cruise. The first part of your journey will be at dusk for “golden hour” photos, and in the second half, you’ll get to see Paris come alive at night. Going for an evening/night cruise also means there’ll be fewer boats, so the water will be calmer for some stunning reflections of the city on the water.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe was probably already on your Paris Itinerary, but you need to do more than just take pictures of it from the Champs-Élysées. You need to visit the viewing platform on top of the arch, and you need to arrive around 6:00 pm.

You need to get here at 6:00 pm because the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is underneath the arch, and its flame is re-lit every night at 6:30. Arriving at 6:00 gives you time to explore the ground level of the arch and get a good spot to watch the flame ceremony. Then you can head up to the viewing platform to see the city at night.

The 360-degree views from up here let you see all of Paris. Make sure you stay on the viewing platform long enough to see the five-minute Eiffel Tower light show that takes place every hour.

The Arc de Triomphe is in the center of the juncture known as the Etoile (star), where 12 streets converge in one massive roundabout. To get to the arch, use the underground tunnel on the Avenue de la Grande Armee side of the roundabout or the tunnel from the Wagram exit of the Metro.

Know Before You Go: Opening Hours from April-September are 10 am-11 pm and from October – March they’re 10 am -10 pm. You have to climb stairs to get to the viewing platform, and the underpass to the arch can’t be accessed by wheelchair. So, unfortunately, the Arc de Triomphe is only partially accessible to visitors with some physical disabilities. You can call this number: +33 (0)1 55 37 73 78 to get more information and assistance.

Terrasse du Printemps Haussmann

The Terrasse du Printemps Haussmann is a rooftop restaurant with fantastic views of the city. On one side, you’re almost at eye-level with the hill of Montmartre, so the Sacré-Cœur dominates your view. And on the other side, you have the Eiffel Tower.

If you want to be here for the sunset or at night, come early to claim a table, and be prepared to continue ordering food or drink for the length of your stay. The restaurant’s opening and closing hours are Monday – Wednesday 9:35 am – 8:00 pm, Thursday 09:35 am – 8:45 pm, Friday – Saturday 9:35 am – 8:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

The restaurant is accessible by escalator and elevator. Crowds will be fewest early in the morning and in-between meal times. This place is much less-frequented in the offseason. So if you’re here in the Winter, you can bring some warm layers and have the views relatively to yourself.

Sacre-Coeur

Sacré-Cœur basilica is the second most visited landmark in Paris, but most people just take a few photos from the outside and then explore the Montmartre Neighborhood. But you need to climb up to the basilica’s dome for the best views.

To reach the Sacré-Cœur, you can climb the 270 stairs to the top of the hill, or you can take the funicular. Then to reach the dome, you’ll climb 300 more stairs.

The cathedral is open every day from 6:00 am – 10:30 pm, and there’s no entry fee. Tickets for the dome are sold outside at a kiosk to the left of the cathedral entrance. The entry price for the dome is €5 for adults, and children under 12 are free. In May – September, the dome is open every day from 8:30 am – 8:30 pm. In October – April, the dome is only open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily.

The Sacré-Cœur is still a place of worship with daily masses, so please be quiet and respectful during your visit.

Parc de Belleville

Parc de Belleville is the highest park in Paris, so the views from here are amazing. Plus, it’s an actual park with playgrounds, open lawns, an outdoor theatre, and ping pong tables for public use.

In the Spring, this park has award-winning botanical displays. At the summit of the hill, you’ll also find a museum that educates visitors on the importance of spending time outdoors and the dangers of pollution.

There’s no entry fee, but the park is closed on most national holidays. The park opens at 8:00 am on weekdays and 9:00 am on weekends and closes at 7:30 pm in the Winter and 8:30 pm the rest of the year.

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What other viewpoints would you recommend in Paris? Share below so we can work together on continuing this list!

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