Museums are not your cup of tea? Do you prefer outdoor visits? If this is the case, look no further, the Tour Montparnasse is for you. An amazing view, sunsets to die for… Here is our opinion on the tallest tower in the French capital.
Our opinion
What we liked
- The stunning 360-degree view of Paris which enables you to admire its most beautiful monuments.
- The best view of the Eiffel Tower in all of Paris.
- The day and night access to admire sunsets and Paris by night
- The panoramic terrace
- All the interactive kiosks that make the visit more lively.
What we didn’t like as much
- Tickets are a bit expensive.
- There are too many people; especially at certain times.
What is the Tour Montparnasse?
A Little Bit of History
The Tour Montparnasse was built between 1969 and 1973 as the result of an urban project. it is located in the Necker district, on the East side of the 15th arrondissement.
At that time, it was considered as a colossal construction and was sharply criticised. This 150,000 ton skyscraper was built on a site consisting of limestone, chalk and clay – a very risky project!
After a long period of doubt, André Malraux (a former French Minister of Information and Cultural Affairs) finally granted the planning permission for the Tour Montparnasse.
When it first opened in 1973, this 210-meter-high building became the tallest office building in all Europe. It maintained its position for nearly 20 years.
59 floors, 25 lifts, 7,200 windows, a surface area of 90,000 m² … Impressive, isn’t it ?
If you are interested in the history of the Tour Montparnasse, here is a video explaining its construction.
The Tour Montparnasse Nowadays
The Tour Montparnasse is 210 meters high (or 209, sources differ) and is the tallest skyscraper within Paris itself. Its lift is the fastest in all Europe -it only takes 38 seconds to go to the 56th floor, an average speed of 5 meters per second!
It is an office building but several floors are opened to visitors. You can go up to the 56th and the 59th floors to enjoy a 360-degree view of the City of Lights and its most beautiful monuments.
The 56th floor is enclosed and glazed. There are lots of interactive kiosks, a café and a souvenir shop.
The 59th floor is an outdoor, panoramic terrace. In good weather, you can enjoy a view of over 40 km!
How to Get to the Tour Montparnasse ?
It is located at 33 Avenue du Maine, in the Necker district in the 15th arrondissement.
If you want to get there by underground: take line 4, 6, 12 or 13 and get off at Montparnasse – Bienvenüe.
If you want to get there by bus: lines 28, 58, 82, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95 and 96 have bus stops near the Tour Montparnasse.
Visiting the Tour Montparnasse
Practical Information
Opening hours
From April to September – everyday from 9:30am to 11:30pm.
From October to March – everyday from 9:30am to 10:30pm.
The last admission is 30 minutes before the tower closes.
Recommended times
Of course, there are more people visiting the Tour Montparnasse during weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
There are usually more visitors between 11am and 3pm and after 6pm as people come to see the sunset.
Price
For a normal ticket:
- Adults : 18€
- Young people (12-18) and students : 15€
- Children from 4 to 11: 9.50€
- Person with reduced mobility : 7.50€
- The ticket is free for children under 4.
For a day and night ticket (valid 48 hours for two visits):
- Adults : 20 €
- Young people (16 – 20) and students: 16 €
- Children from 7 to 15: 12,50 €
- The ticket is free for children under 7.
We recommend you to buy the day and night ticket so you can come twice -once during the daytime and once during the night and enjoy the lights of Paris.
You can buy your tickets directly on the website of Tour Montparnasse. It is strongly recommended!
Additional Information
Children are very welcome to the Tour Montparnasse. The interactive kiosks and the virtual reality panoramas of the 56th floor will win their heart.
It is possible to eat there (see below).
The Visit
Buy your ticket and take the fastest lift in all Europe … it will take you up to the 56th floor in just 38 seconds!
This floor is an enclosed panoramic observatory. This modern floor is completely glazed and allows you to enjoy a 360-degree view of Paris. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower and other Parisian monuments. You will find lots of installations to help you understand the history of the tower – kiosks, interactive panoramas, historical photo exhibitions. There is also a café and a souvenir shop.
Make the most of it and then climb a few steps and go to the 59th floor.
This outdoor, panoramic terrace has a surface area of 800m². From there, you will enjoy one of the best views of the French capital. Make the most of the bar and the view from the highest rooftop in Paris.
Our Recommendations
This visit can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours -it depends on how many other visitors there are and on how long you want to stay there. Note that your tickets don’t have a time limit -you can enjoy the view as long as you want to!
Don’t go there on cold or windy days -there is a lot of wind on the terrace and you could be cold.
Access for People with Reduced Mobility
People with reduced mobility can access the 56th floor but sadly the can’t access the panoramic terrace of the 59th floor as to get there, it is necessary to climb stairs (three floors).
Luggage Restrictions
Unfortunately, you can’t visit the Tour Montparnasse with big luggage.
We recommend you to give them at the left luggage located 17 Boulevard Vaugirard, in the Montparnasse train station (an eleven-minute walk from the Tour Montparnasse).
For 24 hours, you will have to pay 5.50 euros for a small locker, 7.50 euros for a medium one and 9.5. euros for a big one.
Good Addresses Near the Tour Montparnasse
Our Restaurant Recommendations
360 Café
We strongly recommend you try the 360 café, the famous café located on the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse. Hot drinks, sandwiches, breakfasts etc… are all served with a stunning view.
Price range:
-Caesar salad: 11 euros
-Sandwich: 6.20 euros
-Breakfast (hot drink, fruit juice, three small viennoiseries): 7 euros
-Crepe or waffle with Nutella: 4 euros
Address: 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse, 33 Avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris France
How to get there? Underground line 4, 6, 12 or 13 (Montparnasse – Bienvenüe).
Bus line 28, 58, 82, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95 or 96.
Phone number: 01 40 64 77 64
Ratings: -Tripadvisor: 3.5/5
Tripletta
In this pizzeria located in the Montparnasse district, they serve delicious food at affordable prices.
There is even a small terrace if you want to enjoy your pizza in a quiet place.
The staff is friendly and the service is quick.
Price range: 12.50 euros for a lunch menu.
Opening hours: Everyday – from noon to 2:30pm and from 7pm to 11pm.
Address: 1 Impasse de la Gaîté, 75014 Paris France (a four-minute walk from the Tour Montparnasse).
How to get there? Underground line 6 (Edgar Quinet).
Phone number: 01 43 20 96 34
Ratings: -Google: 4.5/5
Les Fauves
This modern brasserie is the perfect place to eat after your visit of the Tour Montparnasse.
On the menu, tags explain the composition of each dish, so you already have all the details you need to make your choice!
Roast chicken, marinated salmon, croque monsieur … You will have the choice.
Price range: Lunch menu between 14 euros and 17 euros.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 7am to midnight.
Saturday and Sunday – 8am to midnight.
Address: 33 boulevard Edgar Quinet 75014 Paris France (a one-minute walk from the Tour Montparnasse).
How to get there? Underground line 6 (Edgar Quinet or Montparnasse – Bienvenüe).
Phone number: 01 72 38 58 92
Ratings: -Google: 4/5
Other Places to Visit in the Same Area
Musée Bourdelle
Antoine Bourdelle was a famous French sculptor born in the 1860s. The flat and gardens where he used to live have been transformed into a museum.
This studio-museum is the perfect place to admire the work of this man who was Rodin’s pupil and assistant.
Price: Free.
Opening hours: Everyday from 10am to 6pm.
Address: 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris France
How to get there? Underground line 12 (Falguière).
From the Tour Montparnasse: a seven-minute walk
Jardins du Luxembourg
Located at the border between the Saint Germain-des-Prés district and the Latin Quarter, these gardens are the perfect place to relax and enjoy the few Parisian rays of sunshine.
Take a walk to the North of the gardens to admire the Palais du Luxembourg, where the French Senate is.
Price: Free.
Opening hours:
The opening hours change with daylight period.
The gardens open between 7:30am and 8:15am and close between 4:30pm and 9:30pm.
For more information, visit this website. (website in French).
Address: 15 Rue Vaugirard, 75291 Paris France
How to get there? RER line B (Luxembourg).
From the Tour Montparnasse: bus line 89 (16 minutes).
Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain
It is an exhibition center and a place where artists can create and meet their public -conferences; concerts and shows are organized there.
Price:
Full price: 7.50 euros
Reduced price (for students, people under 25, seniors (over 65), job seekers and people receiving minimum social benefits, people from the Maison des artistes, partner institutions and the Ministry of culture): 5 euros
Free for people under 18 on Wednesdays from 2pm to 6pm.
Opening hours: Closed on Mondays.
Tuesdays – from 11am to 10pm.
Wednesday to Sunday – from 11am to 8pm.
Address: 26 Boulevard Raspail, 75014 Paris France
How to get there? Underground line 4 or 6 (Raspail).
From the Tour Montparnasse: a thirteen-minute walk.
To sum up
Even though it is a bit expensive, we strongly recommend you to visit the Tour Montparnasse.
It is worth going there for the view (especially of the Eiffel Tower) and we are sure you can’t find better spot for sunsets in all Paris.
Are you still hesitating? Admire this video of a sunset from the Tour Montparnasse.
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