From the top of the Arch d Triumphe. Trust me.

Directly in front of it, on the Champ du Mars......

Stu Dudley

I've photographed the Tower from on top of the Arc at dusk, but not before being harassed by security guards who told me I could not use my tripod up there without a license!

But I agree with Stu: see it from the Champ du Mars.

Fron the Jardins de Trocadero

I second the Trocadero. There is also a magical feeling I get standing directly under it.

Trocadero would be good.
Also, from the park to its south; is that Champs du Mars?
There's a structure at the far end (south) of the mall-like area, against which we leaned our backs, not having a chair.

Is there a bad vantage point?

Definitely without a shadow of a doubt - the open space between the two buildings of the Trocadero! There is a cafe` up there as well but maybe a little on the expensive side.
A glass or two of Kir Royal shouldn't hurt?!
Get there just before sunset , around 9-9.30pm in Summer,
and listen to the North Africans down below near the fountains playing their bongo drums in the soft twilight.
On the hour - maybe 10pm sometime 11pm, The Lady of Light will show her stuff, presenting you with her dazzling diamonds!

The cafe is Cafe L'Homme and sitting on their terrace drinking a glass of "whatever" or having dinner watching the Tower is magical!

Enjoy!

joy/luvparee

"Also, from the park to its south; is that Champs du Mars?"

The park is the Jardins de Trocadero. The Champs de Mar is across the river and behind the Toer leading up to Invalides

Trocadero, without a doubt!

From a bit further, some of the bridge sover the Seine (Pont des Arts, ones from Ile de la Cite to the Right Bank) have some nice "combo" views of the tower.

P.S. You don't have to 'climb' the tower

Thanks for all the great suggestions- getting goosebumps already!!

The last couple of times in Paris, I've gathered a picnic basket around Rue Cler in the late afternoon - baguette, cheese, some fruit, and a bottle of wine. Then I just sit around in the Parc du Champs de Mars relaxing and enjoying the scene while the sun goes down.

Absolute no brainer...I agree with the first poster...top of the Arche de Triumphe!!

I agree completely about seeing the Eiffel Tower from the vantage point of the Trocadero. But there's something incredibly special about seeing it from the water. There are some small(er) barges on the Seine. Now talk about goose bumps if you're with someone whom you .....love?

Karen
http://www.bonjourparis.com

I will go with those who said champ du mars. Was just strolling there when it happened... I strucked by the spectacular beauty of the construction with the lights (I was honestly not a big fan of the tour, before that). The next day I came back just to see it lit up once again before leaving Paris.

I like the view from the fountain at the Palais de Chaillot.. if you can avoid the skateboarders... they are a nuisance!!

Top of Tour Montparnasse
http://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/uk/

What a nice thread. Does this ever make me miss Paris.

Sorry, I don't have anything useful to add - don't know the best spot for viewing the Eiffel Tower. But I now know where I'll be going the next time I visit Paris.

Thanks for all the wonderful posts.

Hi lavender, please let me insert a little question on your thread. Does anyone know of a special restaurant where one can have a great view of the tower while having a fine dinner? Le Ciel on Tour Montparnasse is one of our options. Can anyone else give a recommendation? Thank you.

Sitting on the terrace at Cafe L'Homme at the foot of the Tower (albeit across the bridge) is magical! We thought the food was wonderful!

I'm LOVING your "splurge" post! Thanks for starting it!

Enjoy!

joy/luvparee

If you happen to be jet lagged in Paris and find yourself awake early, consider a trip to see the Tower at daybreak. It's not lit up as at night, so it looks very different - but it's still very pretty And the place is almost deserted. You basically have the Tower all to yourself. Very different from seeing it at night, when (in nice weather in season, anyway) the place is mobbed, almost like a circus atmosphere.

Les Ombres is at the top of the Musee du Quai Branly. We've enjoyed dinner there twice. The view is spectacular. I remember that the restaurant had a website which showed their Eiffel Tower view.
We thought the food was great as well.

Loving these suggestions- can try several of them with 3 nights to play with! Had never heard of Montparnasse Tower, looked at the website Gordon_R suggested and that also looks like an amazing experience,and as a bonus, not far from where we're staying in Saint Germain, according to google maps, a 25 min walk away.

Tour Montparnasse is the tallest building in Paris. You can see its brooding black shape from just about anywhere in the city. It's not an attractive building in its ow right, but it does give you an amazing view over the city and the queues are MUCH less than at the Eiffel Tour. The area immediately around the tower has some excellent restaurants, and a couple of times we've gone up to the top of the tower after dinner for some late night views (I think it's open until about 22:30). There is an indoor observation deck with bar/restaurant, but the real jaw-dropper is going up onto the helipad on the roof for (windy!) open air views.

All of these suggestions are excellent. Last time in Paris we were directly under the Eiffel Tower when the lights blinked. If you are nearby, try to catch that show - it was quite an experience!

luvparee, Is this the restaurant you were referring to?

http://www.restaurant-cafedelhomme.com/en/index.php

lavender: these are the other two restaurants mentioned on this thread:

http://www.cieldeparis.com/

http://www.lesombres-restaurant.com/

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions!

gelatolover, the Les Ombres restaurant website is the one I referred to....it used to have a better photo of the view, but it is the correct restaurant.

Meant to add that we've had drinks twice on the terrace at Cafe del Homme and that view was spectacular as well....just different from Les Ombres as it is from a further distance. I'd try to do both!

Are any of these great restaurants with a view available just for dessert and/or drinks rather than a full meal? Can one just take one's chances & go up if they have space available for dessert &/or drinks?

We'll be in Paris 22 May-27May & there will be 4 of us.

Thanks!

Gelato~

Yes, that's the one (Cafe L'Homme). The view is to die for! The Eiffel to me is Paris so I LOVED sitting on their terrace for dinner and then for quite awhile after that just enjoying the view!

Enjoy!

joy/luvparee

Do they have inside seating at Cafe L'Homme? We are from HI & get cold easily; I'm afraid we may need to be indoors in the evening, even in May in Paris. It looks like their terrace it outdoors?

Yes, they do have inside seating. However, a lovely shawl might be just the thing you need to be able to sit outside. Very Parisian!

Merci! We might be able to enjoy dessert or coffee outdoors but probably could not manage an entire meal outdoors, as cold is really an issue for us. Their menu sounds divine! The lamb sounds quite tempting, as do many of their dishes.