Paris-Best Views?? Eiffle Tower, Arc de Triomphe, or Montparnasse Tower
 

I love a really great view, and ''especially one with the Eiffle Tower in it''.
I also have a quite nice telephoto lens..
So a Quiz for you Foderites... Truthfully,
#1... Your choice(s) for the best viewing point in all of Paris
#2... Your choice(s) for best viewing point, including the Eiffle Tower in the view..
Also, any other info/suggestions you care to offer.. Time of day, etc...
I'm hoping to get some really great shots / good enough to transfer to canvas & hang on the wall in my home... What better than someplace you love, as I love Paris.
Thanks.
A truly happy person enjoys the scenery on a detour

The Montparnasse tower, because then you don't see it in your panorama.

The best view of Paris from a high point is from the Tour Montpanasse. It is tall, has both rooftop and glassed in viering areas, and, best of all, does not include the Tour Montparnasse in the view.

As for a view of the Tour Eiffel, there is the classic view from across the river, the other classic view from the far end of the Champs de Mars, and, of course, glimpses from a thousand places in Paris. It can also be seen from rooftop level at the top of the Arc de Triomphe, with a perspective that makes it great for a picture of a preson with the Tower in the background. The best view I had of it was from a tethered balloon in Parc Andre Citroen, but that was about a dozen years ago so I have no knowledge if the balloon is still there.

As for time of day, sunrise and sunset give the best lighting and great shadows. It's even better if there are interesting clouds, as your view will include a lot of sky. Also, the night illuminations, especially of the Tour Eiffel, are impressive. You'll have to look up the timing. A strong telephoto from the rooftop of the Tour Montparnasse can show all the illuminated monuments in miniature.

Of course, my really favorite views are of the window displays of the patisseries (wide angle lens and wide open mouth needed.)

There is also a great view of the Seine from the bridge that crosses the river touching the tip of the island. It's obvious on a map.

AjPeabody has given you some really great suggestions.

I had forgotten some of the photos that I had gotten across the river of the Eiffel Tower from the Bir Hakeim Bridge and, of course, from the Trocadero.

If you want a really interesting shot, then stand right below the Eiffel Tower, right in the middle, and shoot upwards at all those crisscrossing metal beams.

If you want a view of "all Paris", then Montparnasse as has already been suggested.

Follow AJPeabody's advice. And it's Eiffel, not Eiffle, in case you plan to caption your photos.

And here's a view of Paris you will NEVER get to do!

http://www.paris-26-gigapixels.com/index-en.html

My favorite view of Paris was from the top of the dome in the Sacre' Couer. The church itself is set up high on a hill, and from the dome the city is spread out before you.

You get a very nice panoramic view of Paris including the Eifel Tower from up atop Montmartre.

I also like the view looking down the Seine towards the Tower from most any of the bridges.

For a panoramic photo of all of Paris I suggest the edge of the cliff at Parc de St. Cloud. Take an SNCF train from Gare St. Lazare and get off at Gare St. Cloud. Walk a few hundred meters into the garden and shoot over the low fence. This is on the west side of Paris so your best shots would probably be late afternoon. Or you could go early morning and get a sunrise over Paris.

Paris has quite a bit of noticeable haze when you shoot with a telephoto lens from any of the above mentioned places. I suggest doing this after a good rain or on a Sunday when the fumes are not so bad.

spaarne notes the haze particularly when using a telephoto lens. There are filters for that. The obvious one is a haze filter, but UV filters help with haze as well. Polarizing filters can also help with haze. If your camera is of the point and shoot long zoom type, many are not be threaded for any filter, so check first.

I agree about the Sacre Coeur view-it's very romantic when foggy.

Rooftop resto of Pompidou Centre has nice view also.

I remember a few years back, my last night in Paris, walking around the Islands, and went out on the bridge (over to Right Bank) In my panorama, as I scan from right to left...Ile de la Cite, the lit up tower of the Conciergerie, the top of the Eiffel tower sparklinkg, the banks of the Seine with couples holding hands, sitting, kissing...the cruise boats with their floodlights slowly scanning and illuminating both banks and the voice of the guides telling ther story if this historic area, and on the Right Bank the red neon beckoning customers to the Cafe (is it me, or are those neon signs in Paris somehow part of its appeal?). Maybe is was because it was my last night, but I still remember this well.

Other ground level views, at a distance, of the Eiffel are Pont des Arts, the Seine cruise boat as you work your way around the bend (at night) and of course the Trocadero.

I've only been to Sacre Coeur during the day, and it always seemed a bit hazy.

The tower of Notre Dame might be another good place for pics.

I also liked the view and area of the little park at the western tip of Ile de la Cite, Square du Vert Galant.

Down below the street level, edge of the Seine, Left Bank, by Notre Dame and Ile de la Cite.

Along the Right Bank side of Ile St Louis, the large trees. I found some 30's B&W photos of this area and they are some of my favs.

Other places I like for pics: Place des Vosges, area around Rue de Buci / rue Ancienne Comedie, Village St Paul,etc

Any place in Paris affords a glorious view!!!!!

Wow, Thanks so much to you all for the great recommendations, along with some of your memories. Thoughts on clouds, haze, filters, time of day, locations, and most of all for ''your time and efforts'' in responding. I'll print all this out and locate all these view points of Eiffel Tower, and other sights on my maps.
I've been to Paris 3 times before, but will spend 10 days this next trip...not till April '12, but planning now. That's half the fun.
Thanks again, and I'll check back again, for additional postings. Fodor-ites Rule.