Tour Montparnasse

Overview

The Tour Montparnasse is a massive, looming 210-metre black monolith dominating the southern skyline of Paris. While frequently criticized by locals for its aesthetics, it arguably offers the single most spectacular, unobstructed panoramic view of the city.

Highlights

• The Open-Air Roof: Climb to the 59th-floor rooftop terrace for completely unimpeded, 360-degree, glass-free views.
• The Elevators: Ride one of the fastest elevators in Europe, rocketing from the ground floor to the 56th floor in just 38 seconds.
• The View: Unlike the Eiffel Tower, the view from Montparnasse includes the Eiffel Tower, providing the perfect Parisian skyline photo.

History

Completed in 1973, its construction sparked absolute outrage among Parisians who felt the colossal, dark skyscraper completely ruined the historic, low-rise skyline of the Left Bank. The backlash was so intense that the city actually banned buildings over seven stories the following year.

Visitor Tips

• Tickets: Booking online is recommended, but the queues are generally vastly shorter than those at the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe.
• Sunset: Arrive 45 minutes before sunset. Watching the city transition from daylight into the sparkling "City of Light" from here is unforgettable.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.