10 Best Views and Viewpoints of Paris

The Eiffel Tower, the quintessential symbol of Paris, is one of the most captivating sites. Located within Champs de Mars in the 7th arrondissement, this landmark wrought-iron tower soars 330 meters high and offers incredible views and viewpoints. If you plan on visiting the famous structure, the second floor is where you can see the Louvre and the Grand Palais. The top floor is where you will get unparalleled panoramic views from 276 meters above.

There are several places to get an image of the Eiffel Tower from afar, including where Rue St. Dominique and Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg meet. Rue de l’Université near the park surrounding the tower is another photo-worthy spot for closer shots.

Arc de Triomphe stands out as one of the most famous monuments in Paris and one of the most popular to photograph. The historical landmark at the western end of the Champs-Elysees at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle is part of the 16th, 17th and 8th arrondissements. When visiting the landmark that honors French soldiers from the French Revolutionary War and Napoleonic War, head to the top to enjoy 360-degree views of Paris.

Regarding taking photos of the Arc de Triomphe, head to the Avenue des Champs-Elysees to get beautiful shots at sunset. However, remember that there is always traffic and tourists, so that might impact your images.

Sacré-Coeur Basilica is a sight to see inside and out. Located at the summit of the hill of Montmartre on the right bank of the Seine, this Roman Catholic church boasts incredible views of Paris and striking, photo-worthy images of the structure itself. Be prepared for a steep climb to see Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Opera House and other iconic landmarks.

If you want an even higher view from the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, climb 300 steps up the Dome for a panorama of Paris. To capture photos of the beautiful church, head outside to Place St-Pierre or the Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet, where you can snap pics of the cathedral.

Rooftop restaurants provide the perfect setting to soak in the beauty of Paris. The best part is that, along with panoramic views, you can enjoy cocktails, cuisine and conversation. On the 8th floor of the Galeries Lafayette department store is Créatures Paris, a vegetarian restaurant featuring 360-degree views, including the Eiffel Tower and the Opera House.

One of the highest rooftop restaurants in the City of Light is Skybar Paris, on the 32nd floor of the Pullman Paris Montparnasse. At 115 meters high, it's the highest open-air bar in Paris, offering sweeping views. In Montmartre, the Terrass’’ Rooftop Bar on the 7th floor of the Terrass’’ Hôtel Montmartre, you can unwind with aperitifs as you admire the scenic views.

Center Pompidou is one of the more modern landmarks in Paris, and its original design offers a striking backdrop in any photo. Located in Beaubourg in the 4th arrondissement, the cultural landmark that houses the Public Information Library and National Museum of Modern Art features architectural design by starchitects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano.

Made of glass, steel and colorful tubing, the Center Pompidou certainly pops out in photographs. For more abstract shots, head to the back of the building for the exposed pipes or stay in front for more street photography shots with the modern building in the background.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most recognizable sites in Paris and France and attracts attention for its beautiful French Gothic design. In the 4th arrondissement on the Île de la Cité, the Catholic cathedral dates back to medieval times and makes a beautiful subject to photograph.

As far as where to snap photos of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, several ideal locations offer different vantage points. If you want to capture the front of the cathedral, head to the Quai Saint-Michel - Quayside next to the Seine River to get a photo of its gorgeous façade. For a closer image, the Parvis Notre Dame - Place Jean-Paul II square is where you should go.

La Grande Arche de La Défense is one of the more modern landmarks of Paris. Unveiled in 1989, the cube-shaped monument and building soar 110-metres in La Défense, a business district in the commune of Puteaux to the west of the city. Originally designed by architect Johan Otto V. Spreckelsen, the concrete and glass structure is beautiful to photograph from a distance.

You can also take in panoramic views from atop La Grande Arche de La Défense at its open-air promenade. There is also a 100-metre-long footbridge that stretches across, where you can see the Eiffel Tower or Louvre, as well as the place of La Défense below. And even the elevator ride provides a beautiful panoramic view of Paris.

Panthéon is a striking building that makes for a great picture of Paris. Once a place for religious worship, the historic structure in the Latin Quarter in the center of Place du Panthéon in the 5th arrondissement of Paris is now the final resting place for many of France’s most famous citizens, including Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie.

The exterior of the Panthéon features exquisite design and is a grand building. You’ll want to take a photo of the striking dome and facade featuring Greco-Roman columns that offer interesting architectural detail to capture. The beautiful landmark is one place you need to include in your travel photos.

Montparnasse Tower stands out in the Paris skyline at 210 meters, making it an ideal location to admire the city from above. Set in the Montparnasse area, the modern office building was once the tallest skyscraper in France. It is home to the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck.

At the observation deck of the Montparnasse Tower, you can take in the stunning scenery on two levels, which include the 56th floor and the open-air terrace. First, you’ll have to take one of the fastest elevators in Europe, which takes you there in 38 seconds. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a unique vantage point, while the outside terrace is a fantastic spot for romantic shots of the city day and night.

Musée d’Orsay attracts art lovers for its amazing collection, but the world-class museum also offers prime viewing of Paris. The beautiful museum housed in the former Gare d’Orsay Beaux-Arts railroad station building offers a great place to view works by Monet, Cezanne, Degas and other art masters. As you make your way through the museum, the striking giant clocks make great backdrops for selfies.

When you need a break from viewing art at Musée d’Orsay, head to the Summer Terrace on the 5th floor for beverages and incredible views of the Seine River and the Louvre, as well as the Sacré-Coeur Basilica from a distance.