Montparnasse Tower observation deck
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Montparnasse Tower - by Jacques GAIMARD from Pixabay
Description
The Tour Montparnasse is a 210m skyscraper located in the south of Paris, near the Montparnasse train station. The 59-floor building was completed in 1973 and it is the only such high rise within the city limits (intra-muros). The tower has often been criticized for looking out of place in the city's skyline and two years after its completion the construction of building higher than 7 stories in the city center was banned - until 2015. An entry ticket to the Observation deck includes access to the panoramic 56th floor and the terrace on the roof tower. There is no time limit.
Access & Transport
The closest métro and train station is Montparnasse (4, 6 , 12, 13, TER and TGV) and it located right next to the tower. The entrance is on the Rue de l'Arrivée side and access to the 56th floor is via lifts. The roof terrace is accessed by a flight of stairs from the 56th floor so wheelchair users only have accessed to the 56th floor.
Instructions & Recommendations
Best time of the day should be dusk - the busiest probably as well. This activity is best combined with a visit to the Luxembourg Gardens (1km) or the Paris Catacombs - a 15mins walk away We deem this activity redundant with a ticket to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Environmental & Social
The tower is scheduled for a major facelift and green upgrade of its façade. By 2030, the building is set to become not only much better looking but also a poster child for efficient passive buildings, capturing wind energy and minimizing mechanical ventilation, cutting down its energy consumption ten-fold. Socially neutral.
Conclusion
The Observation Deck of the Montparnasse Tower provides some of the best views of the city, arguably better than from the top of the Eiffel Tower as you get to see the Iron Lady and not Montparnasse! We think that Paris' best views are not from up high but much closer to street level - the perspectives and façades were all designed to be seen by pedestrians, not birds.
Key positive
Panoramic bird's eye view of the city
Enjoyable both by day and night
Key negative
Ticket a little expensive but not as much as in some other top tourist cities
The Montparnasse area holds little interest for visitors
Suitability
Suitable for all ages and partially accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
March 2023
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 30m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Start of Season 1:Apr, 01
MONDAY09:30 - 23:30
TUESDAY09:30 - 23:30
WEDNESDAY09:30 - 23:30
THURSDAY09:30 - 23:30
FRIDAY09:30 - 23:30
SATURDAY09:30 - 23:30
SUNDAY09:30 - 23:30
Start of Season 2:Oct, 01
MONDAY09:30 - 22:30
TUESDAY09:30 - 22:30
WEDNESDAY09:30 - 22:30
THURSDAY09:30 - 22:30
FRIDAY09:30 - 22:30
SATURDAY09:30 - 23:00
SUNDAY09:30 - 22:30