Samaritaine viewing area open?
 

Is it?

I know the store is closed, but can you still get up to the viewing area? If not, what alternatives do you suggest--not the Eiffel Tower.

Samaritaine was thoroughly closed when we went there last fall. I didn't see any way in and we did circle it before I remembered that it was closed.

terrasse of Printemps

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann

Montmartre - Sacre Coeur

Tour Montparnasse

The tethered balloon in the Parc André Citroën?

Institut du Monde Arabe

http://gridskipper.com/archives/entries/062/62119.php

a good list.

Tour Montparnasse -- The only place to view Paris that does not include the Tour Montparnasse in the view.

But the restaurant on the terrace of the Institut du Monde Arabe is a rip-off.

The cafe at the top of Centre Pompideau has sweeping views of the city. You can see the views without staying to have lunch.

Le Monde Arabe (sp?) not far away has a superb open-air tea shop overlooking the Seine.

You'll need to climb up 387 steps to the belfry in the south tower of Notre Dame Cathedral; and to the very top for an incredible view of Paris in every direction! Gargoyles are perched between the towers to ward off evil spirits. You'll get to see them close-up!

Not to be too picky but those things perched up there are actually grotesques... a gargoyle is a spout for redirecting water.

Amazing what you can learn watching BBC's QI with Stephen Fry!

Thanks so much everyone. Great alternatives.

Cigale, as I looked further on the site you sent, I found a map of Chinese restaurants in Paris. DH who always needs his Chinese food fix will be delighted.