Have you been to the Montparnasse Tower restaurant or observation deck recently? What was your experience and did you think it was worth it?
We will be in Paris soon and I am on the fence about going there. I understand it has great views of the Eiffel Tower. We did try to go when
we were there in the spring but it was closed for a private party. I would love to hear your thoughts.

I've been up for the view once. Sure, I thought it was worth, it's pretty much exactly what you expect, you can see how tall it is, so you see a view of Paris. It's nice that you can move around some and see from different angles. I didn't eat/drink anything. There is just sort of a snack bar up there, except for the restaurant next door. I didn't do it to see the Eiffel Tower in particular, just a city view. It's not that expensive, the reason I went there was just to see the view without the ET problems with crowds/lines etc, as I didn't really care that much about seeing a view from high up that I would wait in line to do it.

We too went there on our last trip to Paris, but also to explore the Montparnasse area, we stay at other side of Jardins du Luxembourg, so it is an easy walk. If convenient to both your hotel your planned itinerary, it's worthwhile, but not a "dont miss." Still feel best views of ET are from Champs de Mars.

Yes long ago and like Parisians once said when it was built the best views of Paris are from Montparnasse Tour because you can't see it!

The same was said of the Tour Eiffel when it was built.

Yeah but Eiffel is now endearing and iconic Montparnasse still a blight on horizon of inner city with strict building height restrictions.

Near Montparnasse Tower is Montparnasse Cemetery with many famous graves, being one of Paris' three main cemeteries:

Montparnasse (14) ? Paris Cemeteries

And things like Ecole Militaire and Pantheon not far away - also known for nice restaurants.

Hi Gomiki, I went for lunch in December. I thought the food was reasonably good and the views were great.

If you are there near dinner you could go to the excellent tiny restaurant La Cerisae, which is nearby. Reservations essential because of its very small size.

The best views of Paris used to be from the top floor of La Samaritaine, smack dab in the center of the city on the right bank. Alas, no more.

There is still a surprisingly excellent view from the rooftop bar of the Holiday Inn Notre-Dame on rue Danton. Great place for a drink if you're in the area.

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. DonTopaz, I fondly remember La Samaritaine and the models of how the store evolved. And of course, the view.

Galleries Lafayette and Au Printemps department stores still have views from rooftop cafes I presume? And nice ones from Montmartre steps of Sacre Coeur -latter neat one over all Paris laid out below.

The Samaritaine terrace might be back in about 18 months, even if the department store itself is gone forever.

Great view on the Eiffel Tower and the Champs de Mars from Montparnasse Tower. But if you also want a more "typical" great view on Paris, give a look at the Terrass Hotel in Montmartre!

Pal, have been to Galleries Lafayette terrace long before it was in the present incarnation. Quite a transformation!

kerouac, that would be wonderful!

thierry_paris, that is on my list. I understand it is very popular and is crazy busy.

Yes, though both also have rooftop viewpoints aside from the cafes/restaurants so you do not need to eat or drink there to enjoy the views.

Tour Montparnasse was nice last week. We did not buy tickets in advance but there was literally a zero minute waiting time at the ticket counter and elevator. The rooftop bar is more or less just a counter to get some drinks that you can enjoy standing or walking around. And it does not open until 12 noon.

I thought the view from Arc de Triomphe was also very nice - more crowds than at Tour Montparnasse but not that much of a waiting time (appr. 15 minutes), mostly due to the somewhat slow procedures at security.

Gomiki i will take you and R to the Terrass. I was there last week with some Fodorites and it wasn’t bad at all. I think I got there around 6. Sunset is around 7:45 now. Can’t wait to see you both!

Hi gomiki! What Nikki said about Cerisaie.

DH and I had (very expensive) drinks at the Montparnasse Tower restaurant and enjoyed the view. When I visited in 2016, it was mobbed so I went to the viewing tower. There was a snack area and then one took a couple more stairs to the top. I'll find my shots and post them.

Do make reservations for the resto.even if for drinks--that was my most recent experience. You might have better luck.

Here is what I wrote in 2016: "Montparnasse tower. The resto is mobbed. Not even a seat at the bar. Rats, I join the tourists on the roof.

Stair alert! After elevator to 56th floor, there are 3 more flights of steps and then a semi-permanent set to the very top. The top floor is surrounded by plexi with open slots every so often for clear viewing. There was a little bar and seating area also.

Back to 56th floor, I get more shots. They put a snack bar at the Eiffel end!

Back down and walk up Quinet. Covered market stalls in the middle. Oh, I forgot to write how huge and cool this market is. It continues through Saturday. Cafes line the street and I sit at one at the corner of Gaite where DH and I stayed one time."

Yes, here is the view from the top: The view from the Tour Montparnasse | Any Port in a Storm

Nice ones, kerouac!

Here is another from the Montparnasse Tower roof. Looking for others, I was reminded that you should look for a clear day! From Sacre Coeur, across the Seine, and south of the tower you can get good shots. Am having a senior moment about the view from Pompidou roof.

Cowboy, thank you for the update.
TDudette, Cerisale is on our list. Love the picture.
Belinda, really looking forward to that!
kerouac, thank you posting that link. Great pictures!