One of the highlights of any first visit to Paris is climbing the Eiffel Tower. The world-famous Iron Lady is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, leaving you wondering: how is the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower? We definitely recommend climbing the iron tower and experiencing the views yourself. There are signs at the top explaining the famous sights you can see from the top. But if you’d like an idea of what sights you’ll see from the top and you’re looking for a sneak peek of the panoramic views from the Eiffel tower, continue reading.
Hotels with Eiffel Tower views
If you can’t get enough of Paris’ most famous landmark, consider booking a hotel with an Eiffel Tower view. You might have already seen many of them on your Instagram feed. Note that not all rooms have an Eiffel Tower view, so check with the hotel in advance.
#1 Balzac Eiffel Tower
Prices and availability | This stunning hotel is located in the monumental house from the French writer Balsac, close to the Arc de Triomphe.
#2 Hotel La Clef Tour Eiffel
Prices and availability | This modern luxury hotel is located within walking distance from the Eiffel Tower, just behind the Trocadéro hill.
#3 Le Metropolitan
Prices and availability | This eco-friendly hotel is close to the Champs-Élysées. It has a swimming pool, spa and restaurant.
#4 Hôtel La Comtesse Tour Eiffel
Prices and availability | La Comtesse is housed in a beautiful monument from the ninetheenth century in walkingdistance from the Eiffel Tower. The art in the main halls is beautiful
#5 Hotel Muguet
Prices and availability | A bit less expensive than the above hotels, Hotel Muguet is close to the Dôme des Invalides. The hotel is modern and comfortable and breakfast is included.
Views from the top of the Eiffel Tower
#1 The Seine River
The Seine River divides Paris in two, right at the base of the Eiffel Tower. The meandering river dominates the view of the city. Strolling along the river, taking in the view from on of the benches or taking a boat tour along the Seine is one of the must-do’s in Paris.
#2 Pont de Bir-Hakeim
When facing the Seine river from the top of the Eiffel Tower, you’ll see the Pont d’Iéna. To the left hand of this bridge is one of our favorite photo spots in Paris: Pont de Bir Hakeim. The iron construction of the bridge fits perfect with the iron and it offers the best sunrise views of the Eiffel Tower. The bridge itself is stunning too. You might know it as the Inception Bridge, nicknamed after the movie Inception it was featured in.
#3 Trocadéro
At the other bank of the Seine, right across the Pont d’Iéna, is the Trocadéro area. The Jardins de Trocadéro are famous for their stunning views of the Eiffel Tower, especially at sunrise in the morning. The gardins are beautiful to wander around, watching the fountains and sculptures. The monumental building on top of the thill is the Palais de Chaillot which houses two museums.
#4 Arc de Triomphe
This monumental arch in the center of Place Charles de Gaulle stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées street. Inspired by Roman arches in Italy, the Arc de Triomph in Paris was dsigned in the nineteenth century. It was commissioned by the French emporer Napoleon, but construction took so long the emprer never saw it finished. Underneath the tomb is the the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
As the Place Charles de Gaulle roundabout is heavy with traffic, you can only reach the arch safe by using the pedestrian underpasses. Though there’s no view competing the view from the Eiffel Tower, you can visit the top of the Arche de Triomphe for a panoramic view of Paris.
#5 Sacré-Cœur
The white Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is over five kilometers from the Eiffel Tower. But you can still clearly see it from the top as the church is standing on top of the Montmartre hill, the highest point in Paris. Construction of the Parisian church began in 1875, though it was only consecrated after the First World War in 1919. The views from the Montmartre hill of Paris are beautiful as well, especially around sunrise with the soft light of the morning sun.
#6 Pont Alexandre III
More further to the right is the Pont Alexandre III, a monumental bridge named after the Russian tsar Alexander III. It is one of the most extravagant bridges in Paris, all in lavish art nouveau style. It was inaugurated in 1900 at the Universal Exhibition, as was the Eiffel Tower at the Universal Exhibition eleven years earlier in 1889.
#7 Grand Palais
Right across the Pont Alexandre III is the Grand Palais with its glass roof. You might notice how the bridge and building match in style, as they were both built in art nouveau style for the Universal Exhibition 1900. Because of the unique glass roof, the view of the Grand Palais is most beautiful from above.
#8 Musee d’Orsay and Musee Louvre
More further to the right are the two biggest museums of Paris: the Louvre museum and Musee d’Orsay. The Louvre is housed in the old Louvre palace, built by the French kings. Louis XIV – better known was the Sun King – moved his court to the Versailles Palace, using the Louvre to display his art. This tradition continued and the Louvre eventually became a museum in 1793. The controversial glass pyramid in the Louvre court yard
Musee d’Orsay is close to the Louvre on the other bank of the Seine. It was once a railway station, also designed in the lavish art nouveau style. Contrary to the Louvre, the museum houses modern art, meaning art works from from 1848 to 1914. Famous artists displayed in d’Orsay are Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Renoir. The building itself is beautiful as well.
#9 Notre-Dame de Paris
The most famous church of Paris is located a bit further away. It’s on the Île de la Cité, a natural river island in the Seine. This is where the medieval city was once founded. The medieval church became famous after the publication of Victor Hugo’s book The Hunchback of Notre-Dame that you probably know from the Disney movie. As the roof caught fire in 2019, the church is under constructoin and renovation at the time of writing.
#10 Dôme des Invalides
The most iconic part of the Les Invalides complex is the stunning Dôme des Invalides. This former church has a 107-meter high dome, clearly visible from the Eiffel Tower top. The baroque church was inspired by Rome’s Saint Peter’s and designed as Napoleon’s funeral place. Even though Napoleon was eventually defeated and banned from France, his body was buried in a monumental mausoleum in the Dôme des Invalides anyway.
#11 Montparnasse tower
The Montparnasse tower in the southeast is hard to miss, as it was the highest skyscraper in Paris until 2009. The 210-meter tall building is mostly used for office space, but travelers visit the skyscraper as well for its rooftop terrace with panoramic view.
#12 Champs de Mars
The park in front of the tower is called Champs de Mars which translates to Field of Mars. The name refers to the Roman god of war Mars, as the were once used to practice their marching by the French army. The public greenspace is perfect for a stroll, relaxing at a bench or taking photos of the Eiffel Tower.
Tip: view from the Eiffel Tower at night
If you want to experience the Eiffel Tower at its most romantic time of the day, make sure to go up after sunrise. The view from the Eiffel Tower at night are the best. Paris is called the City of Lights, as you’ll experience from the top of the Eiffel Tower. The bridges, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame de Paris and Dome des Invalides are beautifully lit up. The night views from the Eiffel Tower top are just spectacular.
