Almost every traveller in Paris plans on finding a great Eiffel Tower view while in the city. It’s a popular photo-op and a must-see for anyone visiting the city of light. Every evening, the Eiffel tower puts on a stunning light show which can be observed from around the city. While most people plan on visiting the Eiffel Tower, few anticipate the crowds that flock to this popular tourist spot. In this article, INSIDR covers the top places in Paris where you can get the best Eiffel Tower view. From dining at a rooftop restaurant at Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac to romantic lookouts in Montmartre and tourist hacks, these are the best ways to see the Eiffel Tower the next time you’re in Paris.
1. Set up a memorable meal for the best Eiffel Tower view
Les Ombres at Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac
Les Ombres at Quai Branly Museum Jacques Chirac is a refined Parisian restaurant serving contemporary cuisine in a beautiful setting. French architect Jean Nouvel, the mastermind behind the Philharmonie de Paris and the stunning Quai Branly Jacques Chirac museum, designed Les Ombres. It is decidedly modern with an open floor concept to allow for the best view of the Eiffel Tower to take center stage.
The restaurant is situated on the sunny roof terrace of the museum which is itself surrounded by a lush garden. All together, it’s a true oasis in the busy heart of Paris. Les Ombres offers a rare panoramic view of the city including a stunning Eiffel Tower view. Les Ombres is the ideal place to have dinner while watching the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower. What could be more romantic?
Les Ombres
Address: 27 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris
Official website
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Ducasse sur Seine
Ducasse sur Seine is a concept restaurant situated on a river cruise boat. The mobile restaurant is the brainchild of French chef Alain Ducasse who has earned multiple Michelin stars throughout his long career. On Ducasse sur Seine, the menu changes seasonally, always offering haute-cuisine dining. The cruise lasts for about 2 hours and offers a multi-course meal designed by chefs trained by Ducasse himself. The boat tour ends at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, offering stunning views of the whole of Paris in an incredibly romantic (and delicious) setting.
Ducasse Sur Seine
Address: 19 Port Debilly, 75116 Paris
Official website
Picnic at Champ des Mars
For a more relaxed dinner with an Eiffel Tower view, head over to the Champ de Mars. This public green space is a popular picnic destination for tourists and locals alike. It offers the most up-close view of the tower in the city. Shop for French delicacies like terrine or foie gras (perfect with baguettes) at local shops nearby like Comtesse du Barry on Rue de Sevres. Keep in mind that during the high season (May-August) the Champ de Mars can get quite busy. For a picnic dinner, its best to arrive no later than 6:00pm to grab a choice spot on the grass.
Comtesse du Barry
Address: 1 Rue de Sevres, 75006
Official website
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2. Enjoy Eiffel Tower views while sightseeing
Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum and Garden
Kill two birds with one stone by getting an Eiffel Tower view while checking out these awesome attractions in Paris. At Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac, Les Ombres is not the only vantage point from which to see the Eiffel Tower. The nearby monument is also visible from the museum gardens and Café Jacques on the ground floor. Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac is an underrated gem in Paris where the Eiffel Tower view is just an added bonus to an already great attraction.
To visit Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac the best way possible, make sure you start from the garden where the footpath will lead you to be surrounded by lush greenery and ponds. It’s a good way to begin your escape from Paris and to prepare yourself to really observe the extensive art collection inside the museum. And if you’re visiting at night, the gardens are lit up by an art installation of fluorescent tubes by artist Yann Kersalé.
Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac holds more than a million objects in their collections, of which 3,500 are on display in the museum at any given time. Their collections are extremely diverse and represent one of the most extensive collections of indigenous artwork in Europe. Visitors also love the architecture of the museum itself, inspired by the various cultures whose works are on display.
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Address: 37 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris
Schedule: 10:30 am – 7:00 pm (Tue, Wed, Friday, Saturday & Sunday); 10:30 am – 10:00 pm (Thurs); closed on Mondays
Official website
| INSIDR Tip: The Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac gardens are free to access for everyone! But if you’d like to visit the museum, do so with a fabulous 25% discount on your entrance ticket! Just click here to download your INSIDR voucher. |
Vedettes de Paris
Photo by Andrew Boersma on Unsplash
Vedettes de Paris is a river boat cruise company based a few steps away from the Eiffel Tower. The cruise along the Seine shows you the famous bridges of Paris and covers many of the prominent attractions found along the river like the Louvre and Notre Dame. The cruises also offer audio guides in several languages to give you all the important info on the various attractions you’ll pass on the river. Vedettes also offers a dinner cruise at a more affordable price than Ducasse sur Seine. But if dinner is out of the question, we recommend the highly affordable option of enjoying their champagne cruise, perfect during sunset! It’s a relaxed way to combine sightseeing while getting some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower.
Vedettes de Paris
Address: Port de Suffren, 75007 Paris
Official website
Bug Bus Paris
Big Bus Paris is another great way to do sightseeing comfortably. Grab a seat on the upper level and enjoy an open-air tour of Paris. The buses pass all the important monuments in the city like the Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, Opera, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. The buses also have a live guide covering the history of the monuments and neighborhoods you pass on your ride. The standard Big Bus Paris tour starts at the base of the Eiffel Tower and concludes at Trocadero, another great viewpoint close to the tower. Their 1-day hop on, hop off ticket starts from 35€ when you book online.
Big Bus Paris
Official website
3. Wake up to Eiffel Tower views
Hôtel Raphaël
This classic 5-star hotel is run by the fourth generation of the same Parisian family. Each room in the hotel has its own unique design while the common areas are decorated in a classic Renaissance style. Located in the chic 16th arrondissement of Paris, Hotel Raphael offers rooms with stunning views of the city. They also have a rooftop bar which can be accessed anytime for a close view of the Eiffel Tower!
Hotel Raphael
Address: 17 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris
Official website
Plaza Athenée
Situated on the beautiful, tree-lined avenue Montaigne, this palace hotel is inspired by classic Parisian elegance and the fashion forward district it inhabits. The hotel is decorated in a sumptuous modern-rococo and art deco style with suites fit for a king. Plaza Athenée is one of the few luxury hotels in Paris that rent out entire apartment-sized suits. Their deluxe rooms come with antique furniture, jacuzzi tubs and and of course, the amazing Eiffel Tower view. Staying here would definitely be a splurge but the 5-star service and luxury would perhaps be worth it.
Plaza Athenée
Address: 25 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
Official website
La Réserve
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Champs-Elysées area became the prime spot for elegant Parisian life. The original building of La Réserve was passed between the hands of dignitaries and various members of the royal course. Today, La Réserve is a 5-star hotel right off the Champs-Elysées. With a full spa, two luxury restaurants, and an impressive wine bar, La Réserve promises comfort and fancy. The rooms are designed around a theme of subtle elegance, with many featuring their own balcony with. The design of the hotel reflects the history of the neighborhood which was one the home of the bourgeoisie in Paris.
| INSIDR Tip: Booking a room at La Réserve through INSIDR guarantees you a complimentary bottle of champagne at your rom and a free upgrade (subject to availability). Write to us at team@insidr.co |
La Reserve
Address: 42 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris
Official website
4. Spot Eiffel Tower views while walking around the city
While most tourists will flock to Trocadero or the Champ de Mars to find their Eiffel Tower view, there are a few hidden gems around Paris where you can observe the monument in peace.
– In the 7th arrondissement, rue Saint Dominique is a charming residential and shopping avenue where the Eiffel Tower peaks out over the blue roofs of the old buildings.
– At just 115 meters in length, Avenue de Camoens is probably the shortest street in Paris. On this historic block in the 16th, you can climb an old stone staircase and get a lovely unobstructed Eiffel Tower view.
– Back in the 7th, Rue de l’Université is one of the longest streets in Paris with unusually spacious walkways perfect for taking pictures of the nearby Eiffel Tower which is visible from street level.
– Finally, the large square at Place Rapp offers an expansive view of the tower and often features a merry-go-round and other family friendly attractions.
5. Enjoy an unobstructed Eiffel Tower view
From these popular tourist spots you can get a great view of the Eiffel Tower if you’re willing to contend with the crowds. At the top of the Arc de Triomphe you can get a birds eye Eiffel Tower view. Plus, by downloading the Affluences app you can find out which times the Arc will be the least busy.
You can hit up Sacre Cœur by downloading our free Montmartre walking map to find your way through the winding streets up to the chapel for a sunset view of the city.
Lastly, in Montparnasse, you can combine a visit to the Catacombs and a trip to the 360 observation deck of the nearby Montparnasse Tower. Whatever location you choose, we hope you find the best Eiffel Tower view the next time you’re in Paris!