What are the rooftops of Paris like? Regarding urban planning and characteristics, naturally, having the opportunity to climb high and gaze out provides a clear impression of this art form; its panorama is certainly captivating. Viewing the unique rooftops of Paris is not difficult; several points in the city allow one to see everything at a glance: the Eiffel Tower, the rooftop of the Montparnasse Tower (with a café and restaurant on the 56th floor), Notre-Dame de Paris, the Arc de Triomphe, the Place du Tertre in Montmartre, the rooftop of the Centre Pompidou, the top of Parc de Belleville, the rooftop of the Samaritaine department store (with a café and restaurant), and the rooftop of the Institut du Monde Arabe.
Among these locations, the view from the Eiffel Tower is the best. Its surroundings are wide and unobstructed, offering an all-open vista. It is divided into three levels, allowing you to choose your height and angle. On any clear day, there is a vast and distant open view. Directly ahead (East): A panoramic view of the magnificent Palais de Chaillot and the Grand Fountain, stretching until it disappears among the skyscrapers of La Défense. Directly behind (West): Amidst the greenery, facing the École Militaire, the line of sight is directly drawn to the Montparnasse Tower. To the right (South): Gazing at the Petit and Grand Palais, the Pont Alexandre III, and the Place de la Concorde, until disappearing into the white churches on the distant hills. To the southeast, one can see the charming and majestic Arc de Triomphe; to the southwest, a cluster of buildings and the golden dome of Les Invalides, with the viewpoint ending at the dome of the Panthéon. Directly to the left (North): Looking afar at the river scenery between the Pont de Grenelle and the Pont de Bir Hakeim, and the group of modern architectural complexes of the Grenelle business district. The circular building on the left is the Radio France headquarters.
At 60 meters high, the view from the gargoyles' gallery of Notre-Dame is not as good as that of the Eiffel Tower, but this unique panoramic view of Paris rooftops offers another kind of beautiful riverside view along the Seine: The bright scenery of the Seine River is clear at a glance below, including the Place Saint-Michel. Naturally, directly ahead are the police headquarters complex on Île de la Cité, the High Court, the spire of Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, the large wheel of the Place de la Concorde, the Petit and Grand Palais, visually disappearing into the dense cluster of La Défense skyscrapers in the distance. Slightly to the left stands the solitary Eiffel Tower and the golden dome of Les Invalides; moving the line of sight to the left reveals the towering Montparnasse Tower. Continuing to the left is the large dome of the Panthéon, followed by the disappearance into the thirteenth arrondissement with its forest of high-rises. Moving further, one sees the Jussieu University buildings, Île Saint-Louis, Saint-Paul Church, the Paris City Hall, the Théâtre du Châtelet, the Centre Pompidou, and so on.
Apart from this, the view from the Arc de Triomphe is an excellent spot for viewing the panorama of the twelve radiating avenues. Directly ahead is the world-famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, passing through the Place de l'Étoile, with the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre all within sight. Directly behind, the view extends endlessly into the buildings of La Défense, where people can clearly see the Grande Arche. To the left are the Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse Tower, Panthéon, and the dome of Les Invalides, etc.; to the right, the view stretches from Parc Monceau to the hill of white churches in the distance. Another unique viewpoint is the rooftop of the Samaritaine department store, which also has a panoramic view and is a convenient place for tourists to enjoy gazing at the Parisian rooftops. The rooftop of the Centre Pompidou offers only a single-facing view, from the Paris City Hall, Notre-Dame, the Panthéon, the Samaritaine department store, the Montparnasse Tower, the dome of Les Invalides, the Eiffel Tower, up to the white churches on the distant hills. At the Place du Tertre in Montmartre, the view is limited, serving as a place for tourists to catch a glimpse of one side of the Paris panorama. The top of Parc de Belleville is similar, with a narrower view than Montmartre. As for the rooftop of the Institut du Monde Arabe, the view is not large, serving mainly as a backdrop for viewing Notre-Dame.
Note: This photo of the Parisian rooftops was taken on the platform of the café and restaurant on the rooftop of the Samaritaine department store.
