Paris Insiders Guide
Paris Insiders Guide
  • What's On

    What's On in Paris

    June 2025 in Paris
    July 2025 in Paris
    August 2025 in Paris
    September 2025 in Paris
    Paris Activities Month by Month
    • What's On

      What's On in Paris

      June 2025 in Paris
      July 2025 in Paris
      August 2025 in Paris
      September 2025 in Paris
      Paris Activities Month by Month
      Paris Events Calendar
      Museum Exhibitions Calendar

      Performances

      Paris Ballet Calendar
      Paris Opera Calendar

      Holidays

      Christmas in Paris
      Christmas Day in Paris
      New Years Eve
      New Years Day in Paris
      Easter in Paris
      Valentines Day in Paris
      Bastille Day Celebrations
      Christmas in Paris

      Christmas in Paris

    • What to See

      The Eiffel Tower

      Skip-the-Lines at the Eiffel Tower
      Visiting The Eiffel Tower
      See all…

      Paris Attractions

      The Top 8 Tourist Attractions
      5 Paris Itineraries
      See all…

      Monuments in Paris

      The Arc de Triomphe
      The Panthéon
      See all…

      Landmarks

      Palais Garnier Opera House
      Hotel de Ville – The City Hall
      See all…

      History Museums

      Cluny Museum Paris
      Arts et Metiers
      See all…

      The Louvre Museum

      Louvre Art Museum Tours
      Mona Lisa In The Louvre
      See all…

      Musée d'Orsay

      Get the Most from Your Visit
      Top 10 Van Goghs at d'Orsay
      See all…

      The Top Paris Museums

      Musée de l'Orangerie
      Centre Pompidou
      See all…

      Artist Museums

      Musée Picasso
      Rodin Museum Paris
      See all…

      Unusual Paris Museums

      Guimet Asian Arts Museum
      Galliera Fashion Museum
      See all…
      Louvre Art Museum Tours

      Louvre Art Museum Tours

    • What to Do

      Visiting Versailles

      Skip-The-Line Tours
      Guided Versailles Tours
      Versailles Bike Tours

      The Essential Day Trips

      Visit the Champagne Region
      D-Day Landing Beaches
      Monet's Gardens at Giverny
      See all…

      More Iconic Day Tours

      Mont Saint-Michel
      Monet + Van Gogh
      VIP Private Day Trips
      See all…

      What to Do in Paris

      10 Ways to Skip the Paris Lines
      5 Top Activities In The Marais
      1st Time Visitors Guide
      See all…

      Seine River Cruises

      Top 6 Paris Dinner Cruises
      Lunch & Brunch Cruises
      Cruises with Extras!

      Paris Hidden Gems

      Les Halles Paris
      Impressionists In Paris
      Arcades of Paris
      See all…

      Night In The City of Light

      The 6 Best Evenings In Paris
      Moulin Rouge
      See all…

      Paris City Tours

      The 6 Best City Tours
      Hop-on, Open-Top Buses
      See all…

      Walking Tours

      Top 10 Walking Tours
      Mysterious Walking Tours
      See all…
      Romantic Dinner Cruises

      Romantic Dinner Cruises

    • Where to Stay
      The Top Left Bank Hotels

      Where to Stay in Paris

      Where to Stay in Paris

      Top-Rated Hotels in the Marais
      The Best Left Bank Hotels
      10 Affordable 4-Star Hotels
      See All …

      Preferred 5-Star Hotels

      Fouquet's Paris
      Hotel Napoleon Paris
      Hotel Le Burgundy
      See All…

      Top Hotels Near…

      Saint-Germain-des-Prés
      The Eiffel Tower

      Small Hotels of Paris

      Latin Quarter Hotels
      Top-Rated Montmartre Hotels
      Favorite Designer Hotels
      See All…

      The Palaces of Paris

      Shangri-La Paris
      Hotel George V Paris
      The Royal Monceau
      See All…

      Affordable Hotels

      Ibis Hotels
      Les Hotels de Paris
      Best Western Hotels
      See All…
    • Eat & Drink
      Food & Wine Tour in Montmartre

      The Foods of Montmartre

      Food & Wine Activities

      Top 10 Food Experiences
      Paris Wine Tastings
      Chocolate Tours
      See All…

      Most Popular Paris Food

      10 Best Cheese Shops
      The Best Baguette in Paris
      Food Markets of Paris
      See All…

      Memorable Paris Dining

      L'Assaggio
      Best Paris Terraces
      Seine Dinner Cruise

      Best Paris Restaurants

      Le Jules Verne
      Astrance Paris
      Il Carpaccio
      See All…

      Paris Restaurant Guide

      How to Choose a Restaurant
      Bistros & Brasseries
      The Best Paris Bars
      See All…

      Bistros & Brasseries

      In the Marais
      On the Left Bank
      Historic Brasseries of Paris
      See All…

      Top-Rated Restaurants

      Michelin 3-Star Restaurants
      6 Michelin-Star Restaurants
      See All…
    • More Paris Fun
      Visit the Champagne Region

      Visit the Champagne Region

      Historic Churches

      Notre Dame Cathedral
      La Sainte Chapelle
      See all…

      Paris Miscellanea

      Napoleon's Paris
      Hemingway's Paris
      Medieval Paris
      See All…

      Visiting Burgundy

      VIP Burgundy Wine Tour
      Burgundy Hotels
      See all…

      You Ask, We Answer

      Paris Hotels for Christmas?
      Best Restaurants in the 8th?
      Best Way To Visit Versailles?
      See All…

      Paris Gardens & Parks

      Jardin des Tuileries
      Jardin des Plantes
      Palais Royal
      See all…

      Unusual Paris Sights

      Pere Lachaise Cemetery
      The Catacombs
      See all…

      Top Ten Lists

      10 Tips For Visiting Paris
      7 Vestiges of Roman Paris
      13 Hidden Places In Paris
      See All…

      Your Own Private Paris

      Private Tours of Paris
      Champagne & Shows
      See all…
    • Essentials
      Things to do in Paris

      What's On When You're Here

      Airports & Transfers

      Airport Transfers
      Paris Airports
      Airport Taxis

      Getting Around Paris

      The Paris Metro
      Paris Metro Tickets
      Paris Taxis
      See All…

      Paris Travel Guide

      Where To Stay In Paris
      Top 10 Tips For Travelers
      Choose The Perfect Hotel
      What to Pack for Paris
      See All…

      Paris Essentials

      What's On When You're Here
      Where to Stay in Paris
      Seine River Dinner Cruises
      Paris Restaurant Guide
      Visiting Versailles
      The Eiffel Tower
      The Louvre Museum

      Train Travel

      Train Travel From Paris
      Eurostar: London & Paris
      See All…

      Paris Arrondissements

      The Marais
      The Latin Quarter
      Saint-Germain-des-Pres
      See All…

    The Paris Skyline – 6 Places To View The City From On High

    What do you see when you look at Paris? Pretty much everything. One of the reasons that the Paris skyline is so attractive is that the city is built to a human scale. Unlike almost any other major city, there is very little over five stories high to block the view of the city skyline. So if you can get up just a little bit, the view is tremendous. We prefer the lower views (as from the Notre Dame bell towers) over the higher views (Tour Montparnasse) because that's where you get a real sense of the human scale of the city.

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    Our Top-Rated Paris Experiences

    The Louvre and the Pyramid lit up at night

    1. Seine River Romantic Dinner Cruise…
    2. The Best of Versailles VIP Experience…
    3. Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cheese Cellar…
    4. Louvre Masterpieces Tour…

    1. Seine River Romantic Dinner Cruise…
    2. The Best of Versailles VIP Experience…
    3. Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cheese Cellar…
    4. Louvre Masterpieces Tour…

    1. The View from Notre Dame

    The View from Notre Dame, photo by Mark Craft The view from Notre Dame, 2012. Photo by Mark Craft.

    One of our our favorite places to view Paris is from the top of the bell towers at Notre Dame Cathedral. You're high enough above the street (about 387 steps high!) to see over the surrounding buildings easily, yet low enough that you get a real sense of the silhouette of the Paris skyline and how it must have felt 200, 500, 700 years ago.

    The Notre Dame towers afford a 360° view. Look upstream and downstream at the river Seine and understand the Paris geography, noting especially the hills of Montmartre in the north and of the Pantheon in the 5th Arrondissement.

    Of course, since the fire of April 2019 few of us have been able to enjoy that view. But, we're hoping for the best and looking forward to the re-opening of the bell towers and the best view in central Paris.

    The Bell Towers of Notre Dame

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    2. The Paris Skyline from Parc de Belleville

    The Paris Skyline from Parc de Belleville, photo by Mark Craft The Paris skyline from Parc de Belleville. Photo by Mark Craft.

    Another view of Paris you're going to like — but one that few tourists ever see, because they don't make it out to Belleville — is from the top of Parc de Belleville in the 20th Arrondissement. It's quite a different view (and Belleville is quite a different place) from the rest of Paris.

    You can spot the Eiffel Tower of course, but from here you get a real sense of its height. In front of the Tower you can see the Ferris wheel set up in the Tuileries and a bit of the roof of the Hotel de Ville. To the far left is the golden dome of the church of Les Invalides, which holds the tomb of Napoleon.

    Guide to Parc de Belleville

    3. From the Top of the Arc de Triomphe

    From the Top of the Arc de Triomphe, photo by Mark Craft La Défense as seen from the Arc de Triomphe. Photo by Mark Craft.

    The viewing platform at the top of the Arc de Triomphe is the perfect place to take in the area around Champs-Elysées to the east and, as in the photo, the modern architecture of La Défense to the west. Every time we're up here we give silent thanks to Napoleon Bonaparte, who built this triumphal viewpoint.

    Guide to the Arc de Triomphe

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    The Eiffel Tower and the Seine River seen from a dinner cruise boat

    Paris Dinner Cruises on the Seine

    Dine in style as you glide past the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre on a magical Seine River cruise. Gourmet food, champagne, and Paris lit up at night – it’s unforgettable.

    Reserve your table…

    Paris Dinner Cruises on the Seine

    Dine in style as you glide past the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre on a magical Seine River cruise. Gourmet food, champagne, and Paris lit up at night – it’s unforgettable.

    Reserve your table…

    4. The Paris Skyline from Montmartre

    The Paris Skyline from Montmartre, photo by gryffindor The Paris Skyline from Montmartre, photo Wikimedia by gryffindor

    From up on the hill of Montmartre (where the big white church, Sacre Coeur, is located) is another panoramic view of Paris from the north. Back in 1870, this commanding viewpoint is where the Prussians set up their cannons to rain shells on Paris. While the most panoramic view is from the top of the dome of Sacre Coeur, we prefer the view from the top of the stairs that run immediately down from the church.

    11 Great Things About Montmartre

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    Montmartre's Place du Tertre at night

    Hidden Montmartre Walking Tour

    Wander cobblestone lanes and secret corners of Montmartre with a local guide. See artists' haunts, tucked-away vineyards, and the Paris neighborhood that still feels like a village.

    Explore Montmartre's Secrets…

    Hidden Montmartre Walking Tour

    Wander cobblestone lanes and secret corners of Montmartre with a local guide. See artists' haunts, tucked-away vineyards, and the Paris neighborhood that still feels like a village.

    Explore Montmartre's Secrets…

    5. The View from Tour Montparnasse

    View from Tour Montparnasse, photo by Mark Craft The View of Montparnasse Cemetery from the skyscraper, Tour Montparnasse. Photo by Mark Craft

    The one good thing about the futuristic eyesore that rises 56 stories above Gare Montparnasse is the view of the rest of the city it affords. For some visitors this may be the ultimate view of Paris, although it's so high you don't really see the city skyline, you're looking down at the city. Nonetheless, worth experiencing.

    Guide to Tour Montparnasse

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    In the vineyards of Champagne a guide explains the making of the bubbly

    Champagne Day Trip from Paris

    Escape to the Land of Bubbly on a small-group day tour from Paris. Taste at top Champagne houses, meet boutique producers, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and toast to a perfectly sparkling day.

    More Information…

    Champagne Day Trip from Paris

    Escape to the Land of Bubbly on a small-group day tour from Paris. Taste at top Champagne houses, meet boutique producers, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and toast to a perfectly sparkling day.

    More Information…

    6. From the Eiffel Tower

    View from the Eiffel Tower, photo by Mark Craft View from the Eiffel Tower. Photo by Mark Craft.

    We saved this one for last — and who could forget this viewing platform! Great for views on the Seine and the entire west side of the city. The downside is the line-ups are always long (usually over 2 hours), so we bypass them by booking a skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tour in advance. In our opinion, though, the best views are not from the tippy-top (third level), but from the second level, like the photo above that also shows the shadow of the Tower itself.

    How to skip the lines at the Eiffel tower

    Paris Planning Guides

    All About Paris Airport Transfers Book an Airport Transfer Link to Louvre Paris France Skip-the-line Louvre Tour Link to Chateau de Versailles Tours Visiting Versailles The Top Seine Dinner Cruises Glorious Dinner Cruises

    Discover What's On When You're Here

    • July 2025 Things to Do in Paris…
    • Bastille Day Celebrations…
    • August 2025 Things to Do…
    • September 2025 Things to Do…
    • October 2025 Things to Do…
    • November 2025 Things to Do…
    • December 2025 Things to Do…
    • Month-by-Month Calendar…

    Paris Essential #1:
    Romantic Dinner Cruise

    Marais Food Tour
    Evening Seine River Cruise +
    A Classic French Meal

    Paris Essential #2:
    Chateau de Versailles

    Visit Chateau de Versailles
    Visit the Magnificent Chateau & Gardens of the Royal Estate

    Paris Essential #3:
    The Louvre Museum

    Visit The Louvre Museum
    Take in the Best of the Louvre,
    Bypass the Long Lines

    Paris Essential #4:
    The Eiffel Tower

    The Eiffel Tower
    Skip the Line and Enjoy the Views of Paris from Above

    Paris Essential #5:
    The D-Day Beaches

    The D-Day Beaches
    Visit the Historic That
    Changed the Course of WWII

    Paris Essential #6:
    Delectable Food Tours

    Marais Food Tour
    Discover the Best
    Food & Wine of Paris

    Unusual Paris Sights

    • 5 Mansions in the Marais…
    • 9 Hidden Landmarks…
    • Pere Lachaise Cemetery…
    • The Catacombs…
    • 36 Views of the Eiffel Tower…
    • Gobelins Tapestry Works…
    • Montmartre Cemetery…
    • The Paris Skyline…
    Plus d'Info

    Vacations in France
    Free Paris Planning Guides
    411

    French for Travelers
    Ask Your Paris Questions
    About

    About
    Praise From Our Readers
    Paris Insiders Guide

    Contact
    Website Information

    Copyright © 2010-2025 Voconces Culinary Ltd, all rights reserved. Original photos © Mark Craft, all rights reserved.

        • June 2025 in Paris
        • July 2025 in Paris
        • August 2025 in Paris
        • September 2025 in Paris
        • Paris Activities Month by Month
        • Paris Events Calendar
        • Museum Exhibitions Calendar
        • Paris Ballet Calendar
        • Paris Opera Calendar
        • Christmas in Paris
        • Christmas Day in Paris
        • New Years Eve
        • New Years Day in Paris
        • Easter in Paris
        • Valentines Day in Paris
        • Bastille Day Celebrations
        • Skip-the-Lines at the Eiffel Tower
        • Visiting The Eiffel Tower
        • Eiffel Tower Information
        • See all…
        • The Top 8 Tourist Attractions
        • 5 Paris Itineraries
        • Gardens & Parks
        • See all…
        • The Arc de Triomphe
        • The Panthéon
        • The Bastille
        • See all…
        • Chateau de Versailles
        • Palais Garnier Opera House
        • Hotel de Ville – The City Hall
        • See all…
        • Get the Most from Your Visit
        • Masterpieces of the Louvre
        • Paintings of the Louvre
        • See all…
        • Get the Most from Your Visit
        • Top 10 Van Goghs at d'Orsay
        • See all…
        • Musée de l'Orangerie
        • Centre Pompidou
        • See all…
        • Musée d'Orsay
        • Musée Picasso
        • Rodin Museum Paris
        • See all…
        • Cluny Museum Paris
        • Arts et Metiers
        • See all…
        • Guimet Asian Arts Museum
        • Galliera Fashion Museum
        • See all…
        • Skip-The-Line Tours
        • Guided Versailles Tours
        • Versailles Bike Tours
        • Visit the Champagne Region
        • D-Day Landing Beaches
        • Monet's Gardens at Giverny
        • See all…
        • Mont Saint-Michel
        • Monet + Van Gogh
        • VIP Private Day Trips
        • See all…
        • 10 Ways to Skip the Lines
        • 9 Most Romantic Things to Do
        • 5 Top Activities In The Marais
        • See all…
        • Romantic Dinner Cruises
        • Lunch & Brunch Cruises
        • Cruises with Extras!
        • See all…
        • The 6 Best Evenings In Paris
        • Moulin Rouge
        • Paris at Night
        • See all…
        • Hop-on, Open-Top Buses
        • The 6 Best City Tours
        • See all…
        • Private Tours of Paris
        • Champagne & Shows
        • See all…
        • Top 10 Walking Tours
        • Mysterious Walking Tours
        • See all…
        • Top-Rated Hotels in the Marais
        • The Best Left Bank Hotels
        • 10 Affordable 4-Star Hotels
        • See all …
        • Latin Quarter Hotels
        • Left Bank Hotels
        • Top-Rated Montmartre Hotels
        • Favorite Designer Hotels
        • See all …
        • Shangri-La Paris
        • Hotel George V Paris
        • The Royal Monceau
        • See all…
        • Fouquet's Paris
        • Hotel Napoleon Paris
        • Hotel Le Burgundy
        • See all …
        • Ibis Hotels
        • Les Hotels de Paris
        • Best Western Hotels
        • See all …
        • Saint-Germain-des-Prés
        • The Eiffel Tower
        • Top 10 Food Experiences
        • Paris Wine Tastings
        • Chocolate Tours
        • See all …
        • 10 Best Cheese Shops
        • The Best Baguette in Paris
        • Food Markets of Paris
        • See all …
        • Le Jules Verne
        • Astrance Paris
        • Il Carpaccio
        • See all …
        • How to Choose a Restaurant
        • Bistros & Brasseries
        • The Best Paris Bars
        • See all …
        • In the Marais
        • On the Left Bank
        • Historic Brasseries of Paris
        • See all …
        • Michelin 3-Star Restaurants
        • 6 Michelin-Star Restaurants
        • See All…
        • L'Assaggio
        • Best Paris Terraces
        • Seine Dinner Cruise
        • Notre Dame Cathedral
        • La Sainte Chapelle
        • Sacre-Coeur Paris
        • See all…
        • Les Halles Paris
        • Impressionists In Paris
        • Arcades of Paris
        • See all…
        • Napoleon's Paris
        • Hemingway's Paris
        • Medieval Paris
        • See all…
        • Hidden Landmarks
        • The Catacombs
        • Pere Lachaise Cemetery
        • See all…
        • Jardin des Tuileries
        • Jardin des Plantes
        • Palais Royal
        • See all…
        • VIP Burgundy Wine Tour
        • Burgundy Hotels
        • See all…
        • 10 Tips For Visiting Paris
        • 7 Vestiges of Roman Paris
        • 13 Hidden Places In Paris
        • See all…
        • Paris Hotels for Christmas?
        • Best Restaurants in the 8th?
        • Best Way To Visit Versailles?
        • See all…
        • Airport Transfers
        • Paris Airports
        • Airport Taxis
        • Train Travel From Paris
        • Eurostar: London & Paris
        • Paris Train Stations
        • See all…
        • The Marais
        • The Latin Quarter
        • Saint-Germain-des-Pres
        • See all…
        • Where To Stay In Paris
        • Top 10 Tips For Travelers
        • Choose The Perfect Hotel
        • What to Pack for Paris
        • See all…
        • The Paris Metro
        • Paris Metro Tickets
        • Paris Taxis
        • See all…
        • What's On When You're Here
        • Where To Stay In Paris
        • Seine River Dinner Cruises
        • Paris Restaurant Guide
        • Visiting Versailles
        • The Eiffel Tower
        • The Louvre Museum