Without a doubt, Paris is my all-time favorite tourist city. I generally shy away from places that are so big and busy in favor of the hidden gems Europe has to offer. Still, there’s something about Paris that will always hold my heart. And when you come to the city of lights, especially for the first time, it’s helpful to know where to go for the best views of the Eiffel Tower. Add some of these locations to your Paris Bucket List for some epic photos! Here are the places with the most epic vantage points in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Bon journee!
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Best views of the Eiffel Tower
Trocadéro
Perhaps one of the better-known spots on this list, Trocadéro is the site of the Palais de Chaillot. Located in the 16th arrondissement, this place gets CROWDED. Your best bets to avoid the crowds are to go early, right at dawn.
As you can see above, I had no problem taking my shoes off and doing a quick yoga flow while my mom snapped some photos on our last visit.
Avenue de New York
Not far from Trocadéro, also in the 16th, you can find l’Avenue de New York. While you can get many great views of the Eiffel Tower along the banks of the Seine, this street offers some of the best.
Top of the Panthéon
If you catch the right day for wind, this view of the Eiffel Tower with the French flag blowing in the foreground makes for an epic photo. Climb to the top of the Panthéon, in the 5th arrondissement, to the Dome Viewing Platform for this photo opp.
Rue de Montessuy
You’ll find a few random streets that offer surprisingly stunning perspectives of the Iron Lady. Rue de Montessuy is located in the 7th arrondissement.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
If you’ve got the cash to splurge on a hotel room at Hôtel Plaza Athénée while staying in Paris, the views might just be worth it. It depends on how much a view is worth – rooms here range from $1,100 to $20,000 USD per night!
One of Paris’ 5-star luxury hotels, this place is known worldwide for its breathtaking views. The image of the Eiffel Tower from this hotel may look familiar if you’ve seen Sex & the City.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée is located in the 8th arrondissement, next to Dior House.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
The Pont de Bir-Hakeim is a bridge that crosses the Seine in Paris. It connects the 15th and 16th arrondissements, traversing the Île aux Cygnes. Come here for a nice sunrise shot without the crowds.
L’arc de Triomphe
l’Arc de Triomphe, situated where the 8th, 16th, and 17th arrondissements meet, is one of Paris’ most iconic commemorative monuments. Climb to the top, and you’ll find gorgeous views. This is likely to be one of your more crowded options on this list, so plan accordingly.
Seine River Cruise
Taking a Seine River Cruise, you’re sure to get a couple of different vantage points for your Eiffel Tower memories. Tours leave from many different areas of Paris’ famed river.
Rue de L’université
Another seemingly obscure street that offers great views of the Eiffel Tower, located in the 7th. Play it safe and come early to avoid the crowds – in fact, come to ANY of these (public) places early to avoid the crowds.
Galeries Lafayette – La Terrasse
Galeries Lafayette offers some pretty impressive shopping options if that’s your thing. If views are what you’re after, head to La Terrasse, the rooftop café, to find gorgeous panoramas of the city. It is in the 9th arrondissement of the city.
Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou in the 4th arrondissement is a complex building holding one of the first modern and contemporary art collections in Europe. A great place to see the perfect Parisian sunset!
Square Rapp
Found in the 7th, Square/Avenue Rapp is another (relatively) unknown street where days of roaming around the city will be rewarded with one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower.
Champ de Mars
There aren’t many things more Parisian than getting some cheese, a baguette, and a bottle of rosé on a warm spring day and heading to Champ-de-Mars for a picnic. This is a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike, so don’t be surprised if there are many crowds. For this reason, I’d recommend going on a weekday. Champ-de-Mars is in the 7th arrondissement.
Tour Montparnasse
Tour Montparnasse is a skyscraper in the 15th arrondissement, and one of the tallest buildings in France (in fact, as of 2019 it was the 19th tallest building in the European Union!). On the 56th floor you’ll find a panoramic observation deck (along with a bar & restaurant). This place is especially good if your camera has quality zoom-capabilities, since it’s located further on the outskirts of the city.
Rue Saint-Dominique
Rue Saint-Dominique is another street you may find yourself walking on, and then, BAM, you look up, and the Eiffel Tower is right there! This is a popular street in the 7th where you can find shopping, restaurants, and boulangeries, as well as specialty shops.
Parc de Belleville
For less obvious, in-your-face views of the Eiffel Tower, head out to the 20th arrondissement, which is a little further removed from the city center. Here you’ll find Parc de Belleville, which offers some great panoramic views with the Eiffel Tower discretely standing amid the roofs of Paris.
If you’re a Doors fan and in the area, stop by Père Lachaise Cemetery while you’re in the area – Jim Morrison is buried here.
Carousel at Trocadéro
If you’re already at Trocadéro, stop by the carousel for another of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, complete with the colorful carousel in the foreground. This can make for some epic photos if you’re looking to up your Insta-game.
Avenue Elisée-Reclus & Avenue Silvestre-de-Sacy
At the corner of these two streets, in the 7th, you’ll find one of the more popular destinations on this list. Again, if it’s photos you’re after, come EARLY in the morning for minimal photo-bombers.
The Peninsula Paris
Another luxury hotel, found in the 16th, The Peninsula Paris was formerly known as Hotel Majestic. The hotel has a spa, a 22-meter indoor pool, and a 360-degree rooftop restaurants that obviously offers up some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, and of Paris in general, for that matter.
Passerelle Debilly
Passerelle Debilly is a pedestrian footbridge that connects Avenue de New York and Quai Branly. The bridge was constructed in 1900 and is adorned with ‘love locks,’ hung by couples from all over the world, to declare their never-ending love. Paris has since banned locks being hung from its bridges, so, be forewarned.
Avenue de Camoëns
A short street with a beautiful staircase, Avenue de Camoëns can be found in the 16th arrondissement.
Printemps Haussmann
Printemps Haussmann is a large department store located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. It’s got a specialty food store and café on the upper level where you can sneak out for some sweeping views of the city, and of course, la Tour Eiffel. It wasn’t terribly crowded when I came – an afternoon in early April. There were two girls having a photo shoot, and that was all! A lesser-known place to go with similar views as Galerie Lafayette.
right below!
Of course, one of the best ways to truly appreciate the Eiffel Tower’s structure and grandeur is to get up-close-and-personal. Experiment with different angles while underneath the Iron Lady for some interesting perspectives.
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What a great blog! We’re all looking for that best IG travel photo angle & this is exactly the kind of blog for that.
I definitely missed a few of these when I visited Paris! It was a lot of fun trying to find the best places to view the Eiffel Tower from though. I think my favourite is from the Trocadero when the fountains are on.
All of the views are amazing. This is a great list that I will keep handy for future.
All such amazing views! will need to use this guide the next time I am in Paris!