Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower) is one of the most recognisable landmarks in southern Paris, rising above the Montparnasse district in the 15th arrondissement, on the edge of the 6th and 14th.
For years, its panoramic terrace offered one of the most spectacular views in the French capital.
This article was written before the tower closed on 31 March 2026 for a vast renovation project expected to last several years.
Under plans led by Nouvelle AOM, the black monolith of the 1970s is due to become a brighter, more transparent and more eco-friendly tower, with a glazed new façade, planted spaces, and even a rooftop greenhouse.
The aim is not only to modernise and fully upgrade the building, but also to help it fit more naturally into a changing Montparnasse district in the years leading up to 2030 and beyond.
Description of Tour Montparnasse
The Tour Montparnasse was inaugurated in 1973 and was France’s tallest skyscraper until 2011 when the Tour First in La Défense was completed.
The tower was designed by architects Eugène Beaudouin, Urbain Cassan and Louis Hoym de Marien and built from 1969 to 1972 by Campenon Bernard on the site of the former Montparnasse railway station. Its base is an almond shape of 50 m by 32 m.
The presence of the tower in central Paris has been very controversial since its construction and has been criticised for being at odds with Paris’ skyline. Following its inauguration, the municipality ruled it impossible for buildings over seven floors high to be built in the centre of Paris (“intra-muros”).
Today, the Tour Montparnasse has become a true Parisian landmark with over 5,000 people working in the offices located in the tower.
At the foot of the tower, there is a vast shopping mall and a busy metro station connected to the Gare Montparnasse, where trains head off to the French Atlantic Coast and Spain.
Dimensions of the tower
The Tour Montparnasse is one of France’s tallest skyscrapers and, as of June 2021, is ranked the 13th-tallest building in the European Union.
In France, the tower is the country’s third-tallest building:
- The Link (La Défense): 242 m
- Tour First (La Défense): 231 m (Antenna spire)
- Tour Montparnasse (Paris): 210 m (Roof terrace)
- and Tour Total (La Défense): 190 m
Fun facts about the Montparnasse Tower
- The tower has a total of 7,200 windows,
- The structure weighs 130,000 tons,
- There are 6 underground levels,
- Its foundations are 70 metres deep.
The Panoramic Terraces of Tour Montparnasse
The visit to Tour Montparnasse may seem odd when suggested to tourists, but the magnificent view from the top is one of Paris’ most impressive panoramas and attracts 1,2 million visitors each year. Visitors access the 56th floor with one of Europe’s fastest lifts.
The 56th floor
The 56th floor, called the “Panoramic Floor”, allows the visitor to admire the breathtaking view protected from the wind and rain. The space is heated in the winter and air-conditioned in the summer. It is accessible from the bottom floor of the tower by one of the fastest lifts in Europe (38 seconds at speeds reaching 60km per hour). The floor features interactive terminals and quizzes on Paris, a photographic exhibition on Paris, a souvenir shop and a café.
The 59th floor
The 59th floor is actually the outdoor roof terrace, which, at 210 metres high, offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of Paris. In clear weather, the view extends up to 40 kilometres from the Yvelines to Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly airports and the Eastern suburbs of Val de Marne and Seine-et-Marne.
The 59th floor is only accessible by stairs from the 56th floor.
The terrace has telescopes and interesting orientation tables that help locate the famous monuments and landmarks of Paris.
In 2011, the terrace was entirely renovated with curved panes of glass surrounding the viewing point.
![Tour Montparnasse Terrace © Benedicte Jezequel67 - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons](https://frenchmoments.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Tour-Montparnasse-Terrace-©-Benedicte-Jezequel67-licence-CC-BY-SA-4.0-from-Wikimedia-Commons.jpg)
Day Panoramic View
The panoramic view from the rooftop terrace of the Tour Montparnasse stretches over 40 km. Most of Paris’ famous monuments and landmarks can be seen from there:
The Eiffel Tower
The great perspective leading to the Grande Arche of La Défense through the École Militaire, the Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower, and the Trocadéro.
The curved Unesco headquarters can also be seen to the left of the École Militaire.
The Invalids
The gilded dome of the Church at the Invalides looks like a gem in the sky of Paris…
The view reaches the Esplanade des Invalides, the Pont Alexandre III and the Petit and Grand Palais.
To the right lies the Garden of the Champs-Élysées and then the Place de la Concorde.
The Arc de Triomphe
The Louvre
The view of the Louvre reveals how large the palace is! It extends onwards with the famous Tuileries Garden. Behind, on top of the Montmartre Hill, a sunbeam lights up the white façade of the Sacré-Cœur basilica.
A closer look at the Samaritaine department store:
The Opéra Garnier, just above the Tuileries Garden:
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is clearly recognisable thanks to the old bell tower of the church.
The Rue de Rennes looks like it cuts Paris in half, leading to the Seine:
To the right of the rue de Rennes stands the Saint-Sulpice church:
The Luxembourg Palace
To the North-East, the view shows the Luxembourg Garden in the foreground, along with the Luxembourg Palace.
Notre-Dame de Paris and Ile de la Cité
Behind lies Île de la Cité with Notre Dame de Paris. In the distance can be seen the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall of Paris).
The central districts of Paris
The Latin Quarter
You’ll get a great view of the Pantheon, the Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter, particularly in the afternoon.
South-East of Paris
The view reveals the Val de Grace, Paris Observatory, the 13th arrondissement and, beyond these, the Bois de Vincennes.
Montmartre
The view extends beyond the hill of Montmartre with the basilica of Saint-Denis, the Stade de France, and the airports of Le Bourget and Charles de Gaulle. In the far distance, you can also see the countryside!
And street life in the Montparnasse district…
From the top of the tower, the Montparnasse Cemetery reveals its great size.
The railway lines that start from the Montparnasse Train Station lead to the French Atlantic Coast (Brittany, Poitou-Charentes, Pays de la Loire, Aquitaine) and Spain.
The aerial part of métro line 6:
The stunning rooftops of Paris in the 7th arrondissement:
The view offers amazing sights of street life in Paris (here, Boulevard du Montparnasse and Boulevard de Port-Royal)
Night Panoramic View
Visiting the roof-terrace of the Tour Montparnasse at sunset offers one of the most enchanting views over the City of Light. Little by little, the lights are lit, revealing the famous monuments of Paris.
One of the best spots to enjoy the Eiffel Tower glittering is from the top terrace of the Montparnasse Tower, aligned perfectly with the Eiffel Tower, with the skyline of La Défense in the background. The “light show” takes place every hour for ‘5 minutes précieuses’ from nightfall until 1.00 am, on the hour.
The gilded Dôme des Invalides is lit up like a gem, and behind it stretches the vast esplanade that leads to Pont Alexandre III:
At Christmas time, you can clearly see the Big Wheel at the Tuileries and Place de la Concorde, in between the two dark areas of the Champs-Élysées and the Tuileries Gardens.
The length of Rue de Rennes winds its way through the 6th arrondissement, leading to the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. To the right, the St. Sulpice Church reveals its classical façade.
The Louvre is seen in its entirety, surmounted by the Montmartre Hill and the Sacré-Cœur basilica.
Check out blogger Mark Wyld’s article on Montparnasse Tower. His post is illustrated with many of his photos taken from the top terrace!
For visitors who want to pair the panoramic views from Tour Montparnasse with something more personal, Airbnb Experiences offers a thoughtful way to keep exploring Paris beyond the skyline. After seeing the city from above, travellers can join local hosts for Airbnb Experiences such as neighbourhood food walks, art-focused outings, photography sessions, or cultural workshops that reveal a more human side of the capital. It’s a natural complement to a visit to the tower, especially for travellers who want to balance iconic landmarks with local insight.
English-French Vocabulary
(f) for féminin, (m) for masculin and (v) for verbs
- building = immeuble (m)
- to inaugurate = inaugurer (v)
- intra-muros = within the city limits of Paris
- lift = ascenseur (m)
- office building = immeuble de bureau (m)
- orientation table = table d’orientation (f)
- panoramic terrace = terrasse panoramique (f)
- railway station = gare ferroviaire (f)
- shopping mall = centre commercial (m)
- to show = montrer (v)
- skyscraper = gratte-ciel (m)
- stair = escalier (m)
- to stretch = s’étendre (v)
- terrace = terrasse (f)
- tower = tour (f)
- view = vue (f)
- viewing point = point de vue (m)
Agree entirely! The Montparnasse Tower is an ugly blot on the landscape, but the views from the top of the tower are magnificent. I look forward to returning one day.
And make sure you climb on a sunny afternoon (the best time of the day to see all of central and eastern Paris!)
These are wonderful photos, Pierre – thank you! I always say the best thing about the Tour Montparnasse is being in it so you can’t see it! I’m going to choose a clear day when I’m in Paris to go to the top.
Merci Ellen – and choose a sunny afternoon to have the central and eastern districts of Paris in plain sight (not against-the-light)! 🙂
I’ve been there, once at day- and once at nighttime. Indeed very beautiful.
Thank you!