What Can You See from Montparnasse Tower? Top 10 Monuments

Paris is a dense, historical city, and seeing it from above is like unfolding a giant pop-up book. The Montparnasse Tower's central location makes it the perfect vantage point. Unlike the Eiffel Tower, which is on the western edge, Montparnasse is more central to the Left Bank.

Here are the top 10 landmarks you can spot from the 56th and 59th floors.

1. The Eiffel Tower

• Direction: Northwest
• The View: Unmistakable. You see it rising above the Champ de Mars. It's the star of the show and looks particularly impressive when it sparkles at the top of the hour after sunset.

2. Les Invalides

• Direction: Northwest (near the Eiffel Tower)
• The View: The golden dome shines brilliantly, especially in the afternoon sun. It's the tomb of Napoleon and a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. The symmetry of the building is best appreciated from this height.

3. Sacré-Cœur Basilica

• Direction: North
• The View: Perched high on the hill of Montmartre, this white travertine church looks like a wedding cake topped with whipped cream in the distance. It is often the brightest point on the horizon.

4. The Louvre Museum

• Direction: North
• The View: You can trace the U-shape of the former royal palace. If you have sharp eyes or binoculars, you can even spot the glass pyramid in the courtyard, contrasting with the Renaissance stone.

5. Notre-Dame Cathedral

• Direction: Northeast
• The View: Rising from the Île de la Cité, its two towers and (restored) spire anchor the historic center. Seeing it from above helps you understand how it sits on an island in the Seine.

6. The Panthéon

• Direction: East
• The View: Located in the Latin Quarter, its massive neoclassical dome stands out against the dense rooftops of the Left Bank. It looks surprisingly close and massive from Montparnasse.

7. Luxembourg Gardens

• Direction: East
• The View: A patch of structured green geometry. You can see the palace (the French Senate) and the neatly arranged tree lines, providing a moment of visual calm in the urban texture.

8. Montparnasse Cemetery

• Direction: Immediately below to the East
• The View: A city within a city. The grid of tombs and trees is striking from directly above. It is a peaceful, green expanse where Sartre and Baudelaire rest.

9. La Défense

• Direction: Far West
• The View: Paris's modern business district. You'll see a cluster of skyscrapers and the cubic Grande Arche, providing a stark contrast to the historic low-rise city center.

10. Centre Pompidou

• Direction: Northeast
• The View: Look for the colourful, "inside-out" industrial pipes (blue for air, green for water, yellow for electricity). It stands out vividly against the grey zinc rooftops of the Marais district.

Make sure to use the interactive augmented reality kiosks on the 56th floor if you're having trouble identifying a building!