Paris from the sky
 

Many posts speak of great Paris views from atop certain buildings. Can someone recommend a few that can be gotten to without a stairs climb. (Age and infirmity limit my vertical treks.)<BR><BR>Many thanks<BR><BR>Gerry K

La Samaritaine Department Store. <BR>Free of charge.<BR><BR>La Grande Arche at La D&eacute;fense.<BR><BR>Institut du Monde Arabe.<BR><BR>Centre Pompidou.

Second the vote for La Samaritaine. Elevator and they sell beer at the refreshment stand.

Montparnasse Tower - elevator<BR>Eiffel Tower - elevator<BR>Sacre Coeur - funicular<BR>Musee d'Orsay - escalators to the roof<BR>

Wonderful!<BR><BR>Thanks, Folks.<BR><BR>Gerry K

Gerry, thank you for asking this. My mom will want to see a good view and was fretting over the Eiffel Tower and the long wait. This will be useful - plus I'll get to shop along the way!

Montparnasse Tower - 59th Floor viewing deck. You can see all of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. There is a charge, don't remember exactly what it is tho. We've been there a couple of times. It's an express elevator. There is a cafe and gift shop too.<BR><BR>Samaritaine is OK - not as high (naturally), if you are there shopping anyway have a look.

The Pomindeau Center has a nice view from the Georges Cafe...

Ther are some steps for the rooftop of the Samaritaine and also for the outside rooftop of the Montparnasse tower. Escalator all the way for the Pompidou center or the inside viewing floor of the Montparnasse tower. The Eiffel tower is all elevators, though the view from the other buildings is possible better.

Forgive my dumbness. What is the Montparnasse Tower, and where is it? (The number of search responses is overwhelming and none are direct.)<BR><BR>Beth

Beth, the Montparnasse tower is a very tall building on the left bank at the Montparnasse train station. I believe that after it was built, Parisians were so appalled that they banished further construction of skyscrapers to the city's outskirts. It has been said that the best views of Paris are from that tower because it is the only place from which you can't see it.

Thanks, Nikki.<BR><BR>Can anyone tell me where it's located? Anywhere near a well-known tourist site?<BR><BR>Beth

It's kinda sorta close to Les Catacombs and close to Cimetiere du Montparnasse & Gare Montparnasse.<BR><BR>It's located in the 14th arrondissement in the Montparnasse area. These are some of the Metro stops nearby:<BR>Montparnasse Bienvenue (I'm not sure but judging from the RATP map -it's a little unclear to me - it appears you can take the nos. 4, 6, 12, 13 lines)<BR>Edgar Quinet (no. 6 line)<BR>Gaite (no. 13 line)<BR><BR><BR>But you can't miss it. It's a huge grey/black tower with nothing even close to it to compete with it in size. You'll see it and you'll know it's the Montparnasse Tower.

Many thanks, Mary C. Great help.<BR><BR>Beth

You're welcome, Beth. Hope you have a great time!!!!! : D

Actually, Nikki, that statement was originally about the Eiffel Tower. Roland Barthes wrote that Guy de Maupassant dined often at the top of the tower, saying: "It is the only place in Paris where I don't have to see it."

Oscar Wilde is also quoted as saying that.

Montparnasse Tower for sure. No crowds, and the elevator gets you to top in what seems like a second. The Samaritaine Roof was also a lovely view, in a different area, and not as high, and free of charge.

Not from the sky, but I love the view from La Defense. Just like a postcard!

The Montparnasse Tower has its own web site, if somebody wants more information. <BR>The restaurant is called 'Ciel de Paris'. Not bad for tea or just a glass of wine.<BR><BR>http://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/indexUS.htm