tour montparnasse vide

How to Visit The Tour Montparnasse Rooftop Terrace

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 2nd March 2023

Categories Paris

Last Updated on 2nd March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Situated in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, the tower of Tour Montparnasse in the south of Paris takes at least a few hours to visit and offers one of the best views that the city has to offer.

Tall and might above the Parisian skyline, it’s hard to miss Montparnasse Tower rising up above all other buildings around. Here’s your guide on how to visit Tour Montparnasse rooftop terrace, as well as travel tips and things to know before you go.

Editor’s note: If you’re in a rush, then you might consider booking a Montparnasse Tower rooftop ticket here in advance .

Psst. If you’re planning to visit Paris, then we’ve created a gorgeous 100+ page eBook full of beautiful photos and insider tips by a local. Included you’ll find hidden gems, arrondissement guides, walking tours, suggested itineraries, and more. Find more information here.

Where is Tour Montparnasse located?

A history of montparnasse tower, what to know before visiting tour montparnasse, how to visit tour montparnasse, france travel information.

Tour Montparnasse is in the Montparnasse district of the city, an area which straddles the 14th and 15th arrondissements .

The closest metro station is Montparnasse-Bienvenüe, which is something of a meeting point for metro lines and can be found on the 4th, 6th, 12th, and 13th metro lines. Indeed, the station is the 4th busiest metro station in Paris.

The tower is close to a number of small boutiques, patisseries, a branch of the Galeries Lafayette chain, and Cemetery Montparnasse (which also happens to be the final resting place of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre).

Although Tour Montparnasse is often overlooked in favour of other viewpoints such as the  Arc de Triomphe  and  the Eiffel Tower , the tower remains one of the best spots in the city for viewing its many major monuments.

Though I personally regard the Tour Montparnasse to be one of the ugliest buildings in Paris, it must be said that it does offer one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Paris. The tower itself was constructed in 1969 to 1973.

When it was constructed, Tour Montparnasse was the tallest building in France, and this remained the case right up until 2011 when it was surpassed by the Tour First. With this being said, Montparnasse remains the tallest skyscraper in Paris outside of the La Défense (business district) of the city.

The majority of the building is taken up by office space. There are 59 floors in total, with the touristic part of the construction taking up the upper three floors.

The 56th floor houses a restaurant called Le Ciel de Paris, while the roof has a rooftop terrace which offers a 360 degree panoramic view of the French capital.

I’ve been up the tower twice (the first time I went up the tower was when I first moved to Paris and so I couldn’t really appreciate where all of the monuments were) . Both times I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of queue that iI was greeted by upon arrival.

Neither time was at all like the throngs of people queuing for tickets in the tunnel under the Arc de Triomphe or the three hour long wait to walk up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower. After purchasing tickets, you are whisked into a lift that takes just 38 seconds to reach over 50 floors up. 

The lift doors open and you are three levels (six half flights of stairs) below the viewing platform. This floor offers panoramic views over the city and is equipped with a reasonably priced cafe (2 euro for a long coffee- perfect for after you’ve nearly frozen your nose off on the rooftop viewing platform).

Although the lower level has good views, nothing compares to climbing up the concrete stairs and emerging into the open air, only to be greeted with 360 degree panoramic views of Paris. Just make sure you bring a coat as it gets pretty windy on top of the tower!

The people below look like ants and the monuments, like toys. There is nothing quite like being up high, spotting all of the Parisian monument from afar. The best time of the day to visit is definitely sunset when the light hits La Defense and the Eiffel Tower.

The Montparnasse Tower rooftop terrace is known officially as the Montparnasse Tower Panoramic Observation Deck and is open every day. With this being said, sometimes the tower is privatised and so you should be sure to check in advance before heading to the 15th arrondissement.

The Tower is open on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays : from 11am to 10:30pm, with the last climb at 10pm. Meanwhile, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays*, Saturdays: from 11h to 23h30, with the last climb at 23h.

While the 56th floor is accessible via elevator, the rooftop terrace on the 59th floor can only be accessed on foot via a three floor climb . Purchase your Montparnasse Tower rooftop ticket here in advance .

France uses the Euro (€)

The main language spoken in France is French . Though you can get by with English is more touristic places, it’s always a good idea to learn some of the local language. Bring along a simple phrasebook like this one to help make your travels easier.

The capital of France is Paris . For more information and inspiration, check out our best Paris travel tips.

France uses plug types, types C and E. As such, if you’re travelling from the UK, USA, Canada, and many other destinations, you’ll need to buy an adapter. I recommend buying  a universal travel adapter  that you can use for multiple destinations (rather than buying a new adaptor for each place you visit).

As one of the most popular destinations in the world, you should always consider booking your accommodation well ahead of time. Check out this website for price comparison details and detailed reviews.

Be careful with your belongings. I also highly advise to avoid wearing a backpack and to instead opt for a crossbody bag  like these ones .  I personally use a crossbody bag  by this brand  and love its shape, size, and versatility.

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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Tanja (the Red phone box travels)

Tuesday 26th of April 2016

great views! :)

• Montparnasse Tower Visitor Guide + Tips

By: Author Emily

Posted on Last updated: November 27, 2023

For some of the very best views of Paris, make your way to the top of the one and only skyscraper in the city, Montparnasse Tower. In this post, we’ll explain the basics of visiting this observation deck, share the views you can expect to see and then wrap up with our overall thoughts on this experience compared to others in Paris.

Ready? Let’s head to the top of Montparnasse Tower.

What is Montparnasse Tower?

Standing at 689 feet, Montparnasse Tower is the tallest building in Paris, France. It’s the second tallest structure in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. The building is primarily used as an office building, but has some commercial storefronts and an observation deck on the 56th floor.

Montparnasse Tower stands out against the Paris skyline like a sore thumb, because it’s the only skyscraper in all of Paris. The people of Paris hated it so much that two years after it was constructed in 1973, the city of Paris banned all buildings over 121 feet. (In 2010, the policy was revised to allow buildings as high as 590 feet in some areas, but none have since been built.)

While Montparnasse Tower might not be the most beautiful building to look at in Paris, it just might be the place for the best view  of Paris.

The lone skyscraper in Paris, Montparnasse Tower, stands out on the Paris skyline. (As seen here from the Eiffel Tower.)

Where is Montparnasse Tower?

Montparnasse Tower is located in the Montparnasse neighborhood in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. The building’s address is 33 Av. du Maine, 75015 Paris, France .

You can get to Montparnasse Tower on public transportation from the Montparnasse train stop, which serves the 4, 6, 12 and 13 Metro lines. You can also walk to Montparnasse Tower from Luxembourg Gardens, which is about 15 minutes away (less than 1 mile).

Can you go to the top of Montparnasse Tower?

Yes! There is an observation deck on the 56th floor of Montparnasse Tower and an open air roof deck on the 59th floor. There is an elevator to the 56th floor, but the rooftop terrace on the 59th floor is only accessible by stairs.

What can you see from the top of Montparnasse Tower?

Everything. You can see all of Paris from the observation deck at Montparnasse Tower. Expect views of Paris’ top attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Cœur at the top of Montmartre, Notre Dame and more. You can see the tree-lined streets and green gardens and peep the closest skyscrapers just outside the city limits in La Défense.

Montparnasse Tower offers the highest views of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the sightline. While you might be able to get better views of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower , if you want the best views of the Eiffel Tower you can’t beat Montparnasse Tower.

How much does Montparnasse Tower cost?

A ticket to the top of Montparnasse Tower is pretty reasonably priced relative to other popular Paris tourist attractions. There are two main ticket options and neither costs more than 25€ (as of 2022).

A standard ticket to the top of Montparnasse Tower includes one visit to the observation deck. You can stay as long as you like and may freely move between the indoor space and the rooftop terrace. At the time this post was published, the exact ticket prices are as follows:

• Adults : 20€ (19€ if purchased online in advance)
• Youth (12-17) and students : 15€
• Children (4-11) : 8€
• Young Children (under 4) : free (ticket required)

You can also pre-purchase a drink (beer or Champagne) with a standard ticket when you buy online in advance. This ticket option will save you 1€ on beer or 3€ on Champagne compared to purchasing the items separately on site.

The Night and Day ticket gives you the chance to visit the observation deck twice, ideally once during the day and again at night. This ticket is valid for two entries within a 48-hour period. The clock starts when you use your ticket to enter the first time.

The day/night visiting times are recommended, but not at all required or enforced. Your two visits can be at any time during a 48 hour period, so you could visit twice at night or twice during the day if you preferred.

At the time this post was published, the Night and Day ticket prices are as follows:

• Adults : 25€
• Youth (12-17) and students : 19€
• Children (4-11) : 12€

How to buy Montparnasse Tower Tickets

You can buy tickets to the Montparnasse Tower observation deck online in advance or onsite at the ticket office.

If you buy your ticket online in advance, you will save 1€ for adult and youth standard tickets. It will also save you time as you can skip the queue at the ticket office and go straight in. Tickets do not typically sell out at Montparnasse Tower, but in the rare case they do, an online ticket will guarantee your entry. Mobile tickets can be scanned from your phone and do not need to be printed.

You can also purchase tickets onsite at Montparnasse Tower. The ticket office is located on the 56th floor.

When you approach the building from the northwest side, follow signs to the observation deck. You will go through security and will then be directed to the elevator to the top. After you get off the elevator, there will be an entrance for ticket holders and a queue for the ticket office.

When is the best time to visit Montparnasse Tower?

Montparnasse Tower is open everyday from 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM. The only exception is Bastille Day (July 14th) when the tower closes early (usually 6 PM) for a ticketed event.

This means that you can see Paris from Montparnasse Tower by day or night. In daylight you’ll be able to spot all of your favorite landmarks in detail and by night you can see the City of Lights earn its name, including a stunning view of the twinkling Eiffel Tower.

You can’t go wrong with either and the Night and Day ticket option allows you to visit twice and see the view at both times. However, if you’re interested in both views, we recommend going at sunset instead.

The best time to go to Montparnasse Tower is about one hour before sunset. Grab a drink from the open-air rooftop bar and watch the sun set over Paris. You will save a few bucks just buying a standard ticket, and you won’t have to make the trek out to the building twice.

We also suggest visiting Montparnasse Tower during the summer. The rooftop terrace is open all year, but can be quite windy. That makes it quite cold in cooler seasons, but helps keep it very pleasant in the summer. Even during a heat wave, with the breeze and the shade, we found the terrace to be quite comfortable in the summer.

Things to do at Montparnasse Tower

It’s easy to spend a couple hours at Montparnasse Tower.

The views are the main attraction and there are two levels see them. The indoor observation deck is on the 56th floor and is served by direct elevator access. The observation deck covers most of the floor so you can look out to Paris from all angles.

Inside there is a gift shop and a small cafe. There are some posted placards with information about the city, but for a completely interactive virtual tour you’ll want to download the free Magnicity app. There is also free wifi available.

The real highlight of Montparnasse Tower is the outdoor observation deck on the rooftop. You need to take three flights of stairs to get to the rooftop, and unfortunately there is not an elevator. The rooftop terrace is included with admission, and you don’t want to miss it.

There are seasonal activities on the Montparnasse Tower roof deck. In the winter time, they have an entire skating rink up there. In the summer, there are games, photo ops, yoga events and more.

A portion of the roof deck is shaded, which is nice in the hot summer. There’s a rooftop bar that serves beer and champagne, and there’s plenty of seating.

There’s also a fine dining restaurant at Montparnasse Tower, Le Ciel de Paris, that boasts the title of highest panoramic restaurant in Paris. Reservations are recommend and you can book online here .

Photos at Montparnasse Tower

The rooftop terrace at Montparnasse Tower is open air but enclosed by a metal rail fence and glass panes. The panes are separated in a way that allows you to take photos between the panes. It’s nice to not have glare or fencing in all of your photos of the view.

We’ve been to many skyscraper observation decks, and most of them take some sort of green screen photo that is usually really bad and ridiculously expensive. At Montparnasse Tower, they do things a bit differently and offer photos through a tool called Smiler.

There are dedicated photographers available for quick, no-obligation photoshoots. They snap a handful of photos and take your phone number. They’ll send you a text later that day with a link and you can view your photos. You can buy digital downloads or hard prints if you wish. It’s free to take the photos and there is no obligation to buy.

I really liked my photos but wasn’t sure if I wanted to purchase them all or just one. I ended up putting it off a few days and eventually they sent me a 30% off coupon code. It’s worth giving that a shot if you’re on the fence.

Is Montparnasse Tower worth it?

Yes! Montparnasse Tower was such a great, relaxing way to see Paris from above. The views are incredible, the crowds are light and the price is reasonable. I’d recommend spending an entire evening at Montparnasse watching the sun set and sipping champagne on the rooftop to just about anyone.

Very light crowds at Montparnasse Tower observation deck

Is Montparnasse Tower better than the Eiffel Tower?

This is tough. I came into it expecting to recommend Montparnasse Tower over the Eiffel Tower. That’s how much I loved the Montparnasse Tower rooftop terrace. But then I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and there is just something about being at the top of that iconic tower that just hit a special chord.

I’ll say this. If you’re only going to do one observation deck and you have any urge to go to the Eiffel Tower, you should go to the Eiffel Tower. It’s a pain, but if you plan your Eiffel Tower visit well it can be very pleasant. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

But if you don’t have strong feelings about the Eiffel Tower and want the best view the easiest possible way, we’d recommend Montparnasse Tower instead. We went to Paris multiple times before we actually made it to the Eiffel Tower, but I would have visited Montparnasse Tower during those visits if I realized how pleasant it was.

I think the Eiffel Tower is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, while Montparnasse Tower could easily be an every-trip-to-Paris thing.

Tips for Visiting Montparnasse Tower

• Go before Sunset. We suggest arriving about 1 hour before sunset for the best views of Paris by day and night. You will save some money on the Night & Day ticket, but mostly you’ll save the transit time if you only have to go out to the tower once.
• Stay for a drink. If you’re looking for drinks with a view, it doesn’t get much better than the Montparnasse roof deck. Grab a beer or glass of Champagne and enjoy it on a lounge chair looking out over the Eiffel Tower. It’s the perfect night out in Paris.
• Download the interactive app . The interactive Magnicity app is a fun way for you to learn more about the buildings and monuments you see from the top of the tower. You can actually download and use the app anytime, so you can take the view home with you.
• Snap a few photos with Smiler. If the photographers are out, take them up on their offer to take a few group photos. It just takes a few moments and there is literally no pressure from anyone to buy them. I just did it for research, but loved my photos so much I purchased them all.
• Take the Metro . There are a few things to do in the Montparnasse neighborhood, but most people won’t be staying in that area. It’s easy to get to the tower via public transit from most anywhere in the city as several Metro lines stop nearby.

Other Great Views of Paris

Paris is not short on places to go for great views. If you’re looking for more beautiful views of the city, these are three of our other favorite spots.

Eiffel Tower

The top of the Eiffel Tower is the highest observation deck in Paris. The views are the best in the city, but unfortunately there’s no view of the Eiffel Tower when you’re on it. While romantic and beautiful, it is known to be quite crowded, summit tickets can sell out and it’s also expensive. So be sure to plan accordingly. (Psst! We have a great Eiffel Tower planning guide if you’re heading that way.)

Arc de Triomphe

If you’re looking for a great view of the Eiffel Tower at a reasonable price, walk on down Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe. It’s lower than other viewpoints, but it’s central location provides an epic view of central Paris, including the Eiffel Tower.

A visit to Paris just isn’t complete without making a journey to Montmarte. Go to see the beautiful Sacré-Cœur, but stay for the sweeping views of Paris from the steps (bonus points if you enjoy the view while eating crepes). The only downside is that the Eiffel Tower is not in the sightline.

That bi building in the distance on the right is Montparnasse Tower

Closing Thoughts

We visited Montparnasse Tower with our toddler and had the best time. It was easy to get to, not crowded and offered some of the best open air (and air conditioned) views of Paris.

We visited during a record heat wave and really wanted something fun indoors. It was a convenient perk that the roof deck was also reasonably cool, especially in the shade. We got to spent time in both areas and it was a fantastic family evening.

That said, I was expected to easily recommend Montparnasse Tower as the definitive alternative to the Eiffel Tower, but after seeing both I’m less confident in that assessment. I loved them both, but they’re very different experiences. Honestly, both are worth a visit if you can swing it.

Have you been to the top of Montparnasse Tower? What was your experience like? Would you recommend it? Let us know in the comments.

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Tuesday 6th of June 2023

Very well written article! Thank you for the crystal clear info 😊 I am going to visit here month end.

• Top Attractions
• Tourist Attractions

Tour Montparnasse

Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower) stands 689 ft (210 m) tall. It has one of the best observation decks of Paris. From its terrace visitors will be able to see the most important monuments of the city.

Past and Present

Opened in 1973, the Tour Montparnasse was the first office building to be built in the center of Paris. It was the subject of great controversy as many Parisians believed that the skyscraper clashed with the rest of the city’s architecture.

Presently, nearly 5,000 people work on one of the building’s 53 floors , while over 750,000 travelers climb to its observation decks on the 56 and 59 floors to enjoy some of the best views of Paris.

Stunning Bird’s Eye View of Paris

After having taken a lift in Europe’s fastest elevator, visitors will get off on the 56th floor to see a stunning bird’s eye view of the city, protected by the building’s large windows. As well as enjoying the panoramic views, you can find out some curious facts about the city through multimedia apps or else travel back in time and visit Paris years ago during the exhibition of old photographs of the capital.

The best photos of the city can be taken three floors up, on the 59th floor. From this observation terrace, you’ll see Paris as if it were miniature.

One of Montparnasse’s great advantages is that it provides great views of the Eiffel Tower , something impossible to see if you climb up this monument to see the scenery.

Buy tickets for the Montparnasse Tower

If you plan to visit the Montparnasse Tower, we recommend buying tickets in advance. This way you'll make sure to reserve your spot and even get a small discount. You can buy them through the web at the following link:

• Montparnasse Tower ticket

Avenue du Maine, 33

1 April – 30 September : 9:30 am – 11:30 pm 1 October – 31 March : Sunday – Thursday: 9:30 am – 10:30 pm Friday – Saturday and eve of public holidays: 9:30 am – 11 pm

Adults: € 21 ( US$ 22.70) Youth (12-17 years old) and students: € 16 ( US$ 17.30) Children (4-11 years old): € 9.50 ( US$ 10.30) Free entry with the Paris Pass .

Montparnasse Tower Ticket € 20 ( US$ 21.60)

Metro : Montparnasse-Bienvenüe , lines 4, 6, 12 and 13. Bus : Lines 28, 58, 82, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95 and 96.

Nearby places

Catacombs of Paris (1.2 km) Jardin du Luxembourg (1.2 km) Church of Saint-Sulpice (1.3 km) Musée Rodin (1.5 km) Les Invalides (1.6 km)

You may also be interested in

The Most Beautiful Bridges of Paris

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Catacombs of Paris

The Catacombs of Paris are a network of tunnels that are used as an ossuary for millions of people from various periods. It was opened to the public in 1874.

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Discover the stunning view from Tour Montparnasse

Last Updated:  14 July 2022

The Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower) is a high-rise building overlooking the district of Montparnasse in the 15th arrondissement and borders the 6th and 14th arrondissements. Its panoramic terrace offers one of the most beautiful views over Paris .

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 second tallest building:

• Tour First ( La Défense ): 231 m (Antenna spire)
• Tour Montparnasse (Paris): 210 m (Roof terrace)
• and Tour Total ( La Défense ): 190 m

In the near future, two planned towers will overtake the height of the Tour Montparnasse:

– the two Hermitage Plaza Towers ( La Défense ): 323 m (2025?)

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 of 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.

Get your tickets to the tower’s terrace!

Get your Tour de Montparnasse tickets for 360° views over the City of Lights!

With these tickets, get an amazing view of Paris that includes the Eiffel Tower and many of the city’s other top landmarks.

Day Panoramic View

The panoramic view from the roof-top 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 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 cut 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.

The view extends beyond the hill of Montmartre with the basilica of Saint-Denis, the Stade de France, 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!

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)

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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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.

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The Tour Montparnasse Has the Best Views in Paris

Sometimes I need a little divergence from street photography and my regular “Paris Vignettes.” Recently as I walked to the Bourdelle museum after the Sunday get-together at La Coupole with Terrance Gelenter, I passed the massive Tour Montparnasse and while looking up I thought, “today is a perfect day to go to the top after 25+ years of regularly visiting Paris.” A bit expensive at 21 euros, it is worth doing, especially after morning rains have cleared the sky and fluffy clouds are dotting the horizon.

I found the correct entrance, took the elevator to the indoor area on the 56th floor in 38 seconds, paid my fee and the climbed the last three flights of stairs to the observation deck. Leaving the last step, you are overwhelmed with the unobstructed view of Paris. A very well designed deck with glass wind protectors that have slices in them where you can snap clear photos. On top of that there are chairs to sit back and relax and absorb the beauty.

Looking around, you start to identify all the famous landmarks like Montmartre, the Tuileries, Invalides, the nearby Montparnasse cemetery, above ground metro lines, the Grand and Petit Palais, but the most striking is the view of the Eiffel Tower punctuating the skyline. It made me want to return one day for some night photos!

Practical Information

Cost: 21 euros (though varies on time of year) Hours: From April 1st to September 30th, 9:30 am to 11:30 pm 360 Café is open all year round along with a gift shop

More details at: https://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/

Tour Montparnasse .Photo credit: William O’Such

Top of Tour Montparnasse. Photo credit: William O’Such

View of Montmartre from Tour Montparnasse. Photo credit: William O’Such

View of trains from Tour Montparnasse. Photo Credit: William O’Such

View of the Jardin des Tuileries from Tour Montparnasse. Photo credit: William O’Such

View of Samaritaine from Tour Montparnasse. Photo Credit: William O’Such

View of Invalides from Tour Montparnasse. Photo credit: William O’Such

View of Cimetière Montparnasse from Tour Montparnasse. Photo credit: William O’Such

Le Metro as seen from Tour Montparnasse. Photo credit: William O’Such

Jardin du Luxembourg. Photo Credit: William O’Such

Les Palais as seen from Tour Montparnasse. Photo credit: William O’Such

Rue de Rivoli. Photo credit: William O’Such

Aerial view of buildings near Montparnasse. Photo credit: William O’Such

Lead photo credit : Eiffel Tower. Photo: William O'Such

More in Eiffel Tower views in Paris , Montparnasse , Paris Vignettes , where to take photos in Paris

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By william osuch.

William was introduced to silver halide photography by his father, Chester J. O’Such, via the family’s Ansco reflex camera and home darkroom. After college, William worked as a photographic engineer at Eastman Kodak, where he began to learn the art of photography. With his first SLR, a Canon AE-1, he photographed his inaugural voyage to Paris in 1982. This early spark turned into full passion when William became a Kodak expatriate in Paris from 1995-99. Before returning to the USA, William and his future wife Ineke bought an apartment in the Marais district. Inspired by Bresson, William continues to visit Paris at least twice a year to wander the streets, camera in hand, looking for the next vignette. His photos are available for sale by visiting www.osuchphotography.com

• The Montparnasse Tower Panoramic Observation Deck
• What to see and do
• Museums and monuments

Description

Community facilities, accessibility.

Perched on the 56th floor , at an altitude of 210 meters , the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck is the ideal place to get a panoramic view over the whole city. There are two parts to the visit: the 56th floor interior area, and the terrace with panoramic views , where you can see Paris spread out before you, and enjoy its beauty both in the daytime, or when it is lit up at night.

A unique panorama

After barely 38 seconds spent inside the fastest lift in Europe , you reach the summit. In this luminous space entirely surrounded by windows, discover the capital with the help of telescopes, interactive terminals and touch-screen tables for orienting you. 185 archival photos and a film about the architectural symbolism of towers throughout the world will have you delving deeper into the world of skyscrapers. On the same floor, the Café à 360 is on hand for a meal or refreshments .

An uninterrupted view of Paris’ major monuments also awaits you on the large panoramic terrace surrounded by windows . In the foreground, you’ll see the Montparnasse cemetery , and further away, the Eiffel Tower , the Arc de Triomphe , the Louvre , as well as the Notre-Dame Cathedral , and further still, the La Défense neighbourhood… For a truly magical treat when the weather is fine, head to the Champagne Bar to soak in the view, a glass in hand.

The best views of Paris are on top of the city's monuments

Access and contact

• https://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/

Metro: Station: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe (lines 4, 6,12,13) Bus: lines 28, 58, 82, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96 SNCF: Montparnasse station

Days and opening hours

From 01/04 to 30 ⁄ 09 , daily between 9.30 AM and 11.30 PM. From 01/10 to 31 ⁄ 03 , daily between 9.30 AM and 10.30 PM. Fridays and Saturdays + the day before public holidays: open untill 11pm. Last lift 30 minutes before closure.

• From 17 ⁄ 07 to 30/09/2023 Adult: 21 € Child : 9.50 € (from 4 to 11 years old included) Student: 16 € (Young people (aged 12-17) and students). From 01/10 to 31/12/2023 Adult: 19 € Child : 9.50 € Student: 14.50 € (Young people (aged 12-17) and students). Free entry for children < 4 years. Child entry valid for 4 - 11 years.
• Orientation board
• Pay car park
• Ticketing in number

Spoken languages

Guided tour languages, documentation languages (home), bulletin board languages, single mean time tour, single services tour.

• Unguided individual tours available permanently
• Physical disability
• Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
• Lift (80 x 130 cm) and door >= 77 cm
• WC + grab handle + adequate space to move
• Copyright image:

Expired session

Montparnasse Tower tickets

The Montparnasse Tower’s observation levels – 56th and 59th floors, provide a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire city of Paris and the Eiffel Tower!

In just 38 seconds, Europe’s swiftest elevator will take you from ground level to the top of the tower.

This famous Parisian landmark, also known as the Tour Montparnasse, is a favorite attraction of adults and children. 

Also, the freshly opened panoramic rooftop patio has a spectacular window with a dazzling perspective.

Where to buy Montparnasse Tower tickets?

You can buy Montparnasse Tower tickets online or at the ticket counter. 

Online tickets tend to be cheaper than offline tickets. 

Buying Montparnasse Tower tickets online allows you to gain priority access and skip long queues. 

During peak hours, online tickets save up to 30 to 35 minutes of waiting time.  

We recommend visitors to buy tickets online in advance to ensure you get your preferred time slot and avoid last-minute disappointments. 

How do Montparnasse Tower online tickets work?

To buy your tickets to Montparnasse Tower, head to the booking page

 and choose your desired date, time slot and number of tickets.

Your tickets will be emailed to you after purchase – no need to take printouts. 

Ensure you arrive at the attraction 15 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket.

You can just enter on the day of your visit by displaying the tickets on your smartphone. 

Because you have the Montparnasse Tower ticket and are on time, you can present it on your smartphone and enter. 

Montparnasse Tower ticket prices 

Montparnasse Tower standard admission ticket costs €19 for visitors above 18 years.

Visitors from 12 to 17 years old get a discount of €4 on the ticket prices and pay a reduced entrance fee of €15. 

The ticket price for children from four to 11 years is €10. 

Types of Montparnasse Tower tickets 

There are three ways to experience the Montparnasse Tower – 

you can choose from a skip the line ticket , a combination ticket with the Seine River cruise or the All-Inclusive Paris Pass . 

Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket

This is the basic entrance ticket to the observation deck at the Montparnasse Tower. 

It is the most frequently bought ticket by tourists and best suited to people who want to see the rooftop views of Paris with all its iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower.

With this Montparnasse Tower skip-the-line ticket, you travel over 200 meters above Paris in just 38 seconds to admire the classic Parisian skyline.

The ticket includes 

• Entry to the Montparnasse Tower
• Access to the Observation deck

Ticket price:

Adult ticket (18+ years): €19 Youth ticket (12 to 17 years): €15 Child ticket (4 to 11 years): €10 Infant ticket (upto 3 years): Free entry

Montparnasse Tower + Rooftop + Cruise on the Seine

Want to elevate your experience of Paris? Book this combination of the two must-see attractions and ensure your trip is filled with cherished memories.

If you buy these tickets individually, the total cost is €69. 

But when you buy Montparnasse Tower Rooftop and Seine River Cruise combination tickets, you get a discount of 10% and have to pay just €62. 

The Montparnasse Tower gives you a breathtaking perspective of Paris – including the Eiffel Tower and many other famous monuments. 

Additionally, you can also enjoy a one-hour Seine river cruise in the center of Paris and take in the views of the city’s iconic landmarks. 

This ticket includes: 

• Admission to Montparnasse Tower
• Direct access to the elevators
• Access to the rooftop and 56th floor
• 1-hour Seine River cruise
• Audio guide in 14 languages
• Attendant or guide on board for queries

Ticket price: 

• Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck Entry ticket + Rooftop Access

Adult ticket (18+ years): €20 Youth ticket (12 to 17 years): €16 Child ticket (4 to 11 years): €10 Infant ticket (upto 3 years): Free entry

• Sightseeing Cruise on the Seine

Adult ticket (12+ years): €16 Child ticket (4 to 11 years): €8 Infant ticket (up to 3 years): Free entry 

Paris All-Inclusive Pass

This Paris pass allows you to access 35+ sites, tours, and experiences. 

Explore the city of lights while saving money with this 2 or 3-day all-inclusive pass. 

Your pass is accessible on your mobile. You can use the free digital guide in the Go City app or download it to plan your itinerary.

• All-inclusive digital pass with attraction information

Is Montparnasse Tower worth it?

The Montparnasse Tower provides spectacular panoramic views of Paris, making it a rewarding experience for visitors who enjoy beautiful cityscapes. 

You can have unobstructed views of prominent monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum from the 56th floor. 

The observatory on the 59th floor is far more enjoyable. It is located 210 meters above the streets and provides more breathtaking city views. 

You will also ride in the quickest lift in Europe, which is one of the highlights.

If you enjoy photography, the tower offers a beautiful opportunity to capture Paris from above. 

To enhance your experience, there is a “ Magnicity ” with stories, films, and 3D reconstructions.

The Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck, in comparison to the Eiffel Tower, offers unimpeded 360-degree views of the city without the crowds. 

It’s worth going just for the view (particularly of the Eiffel Tower), and we are confident there’s no better place in Paris for sunsets!

Is Montparnasse Tower free?

The Montparnasse Tower is free for children up to the age of three.

How much does it cost to go to Montparnasse Tower?

The Montparnasse Tower entry tickets cost €19 for adults, €15 for youngsters between 12 and 17, and €10 for children aged four to 11. 

Is Montparnasse Tower included in the Paris Pass? 

Yes, the Montparnasse Tower is included in the Paris Pass . This pass provides access to over 35+ top attractions in Paris, including monuments and landmarks. 

Can I re-enter the Montparnasse Tower with the same ticket if I leave and want to return later in the day?

You cannot use the same ticket to enter the Montparnasse Tower. You will have to pay again for a new admission ticket. 

Are there on-site ticket booths at Montparnasse Tower?

Yes, Montparnasse Tower has on-site ticket booths where visitors can purchase tickets for admission. 

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View Montparnasse Tower Observation deck

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Montparnasse Tower – tickets, prices, timings, what to expect, the best time to visit, FAQs

The Montparnasse Tower, or Tour Montparnasse, stands as a modern symbol amid the timeless beauty of Paris.

Perched 210 meters above the city, the skyscraper provides a panoramic view of the French capital.

Its striking contrast to the city’s historic architecture initially caused controversy, but today, it is a key element of the Paris skyline.

It represents Montparnasse’s artistic and cultural heritage, which in the early 20th century served as a center for artists like Picasso, Hemingway, and Modigliani.  This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Montparnasse Tower.

What to expect at the Montparnasse Tower

Panoramic Views

The main highlight at Tour Montparnasse is the observation deck offering breathtaking 360-degree views of Paris.

You’ll see iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and the Louvre.

Elevator Experience

The swift elevator ride to the top is an adventure, covering 200 meters in just 38 seconds.

Newly Refurbished Spaces

The recent renovations at Montparnasse Tower have transformed the ambiance, creating a modern and welcoming environment to enjoy the city views.

Interactive Multimedia

You can access multimedia content like video clips, stories, and 3D reconstructions through the Magnicity App.

This enhances your understanding and appreciation of the sights.

Cultural Context

Montparnasse, a creative and intellectual hub, provides cultural insights.

You can explore the surrounding neighborhood, which depicts its bohemian past.

Guided Tours

You can also take a guided tour that covers the Montparnasse area, showcasing its history, landmarks, and notable sites.

Montparnasse Cemetery

Another attraction is the Montparnasse Cemetery, where notable figures like Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre are buried.

Back to Top

Where to book tickets

The Montparnasse Tower Tickets are available online or at the attraction.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days.

Booking early also helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

How do online tickets work

Go to the Montparnasse Tower Paris ticket booking page , select your preferred timeslot, date, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets instantly.

After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.

You don’t need to take any printouts.

Present your e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance on the day you visit to skip the line and walk into the skyscraper right away.

Montparnasse Tower Paris ticket cost

The Montparnasse Tower Admission Ticket costs €19 for adults over 18 years.

Youths between 12 and 17 years pay a discounted price of €15.

Children between four and 11 are charged €10.

Infants under three can enter Tour Maine-Montparnasse free of cost.

The 1.5-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Montparnasse costs €36 for people over 12 and €31 for children between four and 11.

Montparnasse Tower (Tour Montparnasse) tickets

You can either get the skip-the-line entry ticket or elevate your experience by opting for the guided walking tour.

Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket

Experience a panoramic 360-degree view of Paris from Montparnasse Tower’s observation deck.

Ascend 200 meters in a 38-second elevator ride.

Enjoy a modern ambiance as you admire the skyline.

Use the Magnicity App on your smartphone to view interesting stories, videos, and 3D images.

Witness popular landmarks and the city’s layout from an extraordinary viewpoint.

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (18+ years): €19 Youth Ticket (12 to 17 years): €15 Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): €10 Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free

1.5-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Montparnasse

Discover Montparnasse’s rich culture and past on a 1.5-hour guided walking tour of Montparnasse.

Start at Boulevard du Montparnasse, a hub for the Cafe Society elite, and walk on the enchanting streets of Rue Delambre.

Learn about the significant life of Josephine Baker and visit iconic locations like the Monocle, a renowned women-only cabaret, and The Sphinx, a Nazi-occupied brothel during World War II.

Pay your respects at Montparnasse Cemetery, the resting place of historical figures like Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.

Complete your tour in Paris’s “Little Theater District,” Rue de la Gaite, and end with a visit to the Montparnasse Tower.

Ticket Prices Adult Ticket (12+ years): €36 Child Ticket (4 to 11 years): €31 Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free

How to reach Tour Montparnasse

The Montparnasse Tower, or Tour Montparnasse, is located in the Montparnasse area of Paris, France.

Address: 33 Av. du Maine, 75015 Paris, France. Get Directions!

You can reach the Montparnasse Tower via bus, train, subway, or car.

The bus stop Gare Montparnasse (Bus No: 39, 95, N12, N13, N61, N62, N63, N66, and N145) is just a 5-minute walk from the tower.

The Montparnasse bus stop (Bus No: 82, 91, 95, N01, and N02) is also situated nearby.

The Paris Montparnasse Hall 1 – 2 Train Station is just a few steps from the attraction.

The Paris Montparnasse Hall 1 – 2 Subway Station (Subway Lines: 4, 6, 12, and 13) is just a 2-minute walk from the Montparnasse Tower.

If you’re traveling by car or taxi, turn on your Google Maps and get started.

You can enter through the Rue de l’Arrivée side, at the foot of the tower.

The Montparnasse Tower provides an underground paid parking facility.

Also, there are several parking garages located near the attraction.

Opening Hours

Tour Maine-Montparnasse opens at 9.30 am and closes at 10.30 pm every Sunday to Thursday from 1 October to 31 March.

The tower closes at 11 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays.

From 1 April to 30 September, the Montparnasse Tower remains open till 11.30 pm.

How long does a tour of the Montparnasse Tower take

A tour of the Montparnasse Tower lasts approximately one hour.

The tour starts with an elevator ride to the observation deck, where you can explore the informational displays and enjoy the scenic views of Paris.

It may take longer on weekends and public holidays if there are long queues.

Best time to visit Tour Montparnasse

The best time to visit the Montparnasse Tower is early morning or late afternoon, as the tower is the least crowded during this time.

Weekdays offer a less crowded experience compared to weekends.

Visiting during sunset can provide stunning views from the observation deck.

The city lights, the glow of the setting sun, and the sparkling night sky create a magical atmosphere at dusk.

Panoramic views

The Montparnasse Tower offers one of the best panoramic views of Paris from its 56th-floor observatory and the outdoor terrace on the 59th floor. From here, you can see famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and many more.

Less crowded

The Montparnasse Tower is typically less crowded than other popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Sunset and nighttime views

Watching the sunset from the Montparnasse Tower is a truly breathtaking experience as the sky changes colors and the city lights begin to sparkle.

It’s also a great location to see the Eiffel Tower’s light show, which occurs every hour in the evening.

History and architecture

The Montparnasse Tower is an example of modern architecture that contrasts with the historical buildings surrounding it.

The tower’s history and the development of the Montparnasse neighborhood provide an interesting context for exploring Paris’s past and present.

Proximity to other attractions

The Montparnasse Tower is in a lively area with plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Nearby, you can visit the Montparnasse Cemetery, where famous figures like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Serge Gainsbourg are buried.

The Luxembourg Gardens and Saint-Germain-des-Prés are also within walking distance.

Photography opportunities

The stunning views from the Montparnasse Tower make it a fantastic spot for photography enthusiasts to capture unique shots of Paris’s skyline.

FAQs about the Montparnasse Tower

Here are some FAQs about Tour Maine-Montparnasse:

Montparnasse Tower is at 33 Avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris, France. Get Directions. The nearest metro station is Montparnasse-Bienvenüe, which is served by lines 4, 6, 12, and 13.

You can book your tickets through the Montparnasse Tower Paris ticket booking page . Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

Opening hours for Montparnasse Tower are generally from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM daily, with extended hours during summer months. However, checking the official website for the most up-to-date information is best.

The standard adult ticket price for the Montparnasse Tower observatory is around €18. Youth, children, and senior tickets are available at reduced prices.

Discounts may be available for students, seniors, children, and large groups. Check the official website or inquire at the ticket office for current promotions or discounts.

Yes, you can purchase tickets to Montparnasse Tower in advance here.

The best time to visit Montparnasse Tower is during clear weather conditions, either early morning or late afternoon, to avoid crowds. Sunset and nighttime visits offer stunning views of the city lights.

Visiting Montparnasse Tower and the observation deck typically takes about 1-2 hours, depending on how long you wish to take in the views and explore the exhibits.

Montparnasse Tower is accessible for people with disabilities, with elevators and ramps available to ensure a comfortable visit.

Yes, you can take photos from the Montparnasse Tower observation deck. It’s a popular spot for capturing stunning views of Paris.

Yes, there is a restaurant called “Le Ciel de Paris” on the 56th floor and a café on the observation terrace.

From the top of Montparnasse Tower, you can see landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and the River Seine, among others.

Yes, Montparnasse Tower has a gift shop to purchase souvenirs and memorabilia.

Montparnasse Tower can accommodate large groups and school trips. It’s recommended to contact the tower in advance to make arrangements and inquire about group discounts.

Paid parking is available near Montparnasse Tower, including the Maine-Montparnasse car park at 50 Avenue du Maine.

There are no luggage storage facilities directly at Montparnasse Tower. However, you may find luggage storage options or private locker rental services at nearby train stations.

Montparnasse Tower offers a unique perspective of Paris, with less crowded observation decks than the Eiffel Tower. Tour Saint-Jacques is a historical monument and offers guided visits to the top, but it has limited availability and requires booking.

Tour Montparnasse opens at 9.30 am. It closes at 10.30 pm in winter (1 October to 31 March) and at 11.30 pm in summer(1 April to 30 September).

Yes, the Montparnasse Tower provides an underground parking facility.

Yes, Tour Montparnasse is committed to providing accessibility for visitors with disabilities. There are elevators to access various levels, ramps for wheelchair users, and accessible washrooms.

Nearby attractions to Montparnasse Tower include the Catacombs of Paris , Luxembourg Gardens , Rodin Museum , and the Montparnasse Cemetery .

Sources # Wikipedia.org # Parisjetaime.com # Tripadvisor.com The travel specialists at Observation-decks.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.

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Buy your tickets to Montparnasse Tower online and save time and money! Book in advance to reserve your time.

Visit ticket + champagne

Enjoy a drink at the top.

• 360° view of Paris
• Rooftop access
• Paris Time Travel VR experience
• 1 glass of champagne

Standard Ticket

See paris' best view.

Day & Night Ticket

Visit 2 times.

• Paris Time Travel VR Experience
• Ticket valid for 1 person, for 2 visits in 48h

SPECIAL OFFER

Get both the amazing views from Montparnasse Tower, plus a Seine River Cruise by Bateaux Mouches for one low price!

Accessibility

Important information for people with reduced mobility: the 59th-floor rooftop terrace is only accessible by stairs from the 56th floor (3 floors on foot).

Need to change your date?

Have you purchased Single Visit or Day & Night tickets but can no longer come on the day you had planned?

Don’t panic! You can exchange your tickets for free by clicking on the link below and following the steps described

Important: The exchange of the ticket must be done before the initial date of visit. Each ticket can only be exchanged once. The other tickets offered for sale can be exchanged via this link.

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Montparnasse Tower 33 Avenue du Maine 75015 Paris

Discover exciting opportunities for you to grow your career at Paris Montparnasse.

• Magnicity App
• Terms and conditions

HOURS AND VISIT

Open every day, from 9:30 am

• From 01/10 to 31/03: at 10:30 pm on weekdays, at 11 pm on weekends & public holidays.
• From 01/04 to 30/09: at 11:30 pm.

Last lift 30 minutes before closing.  

Interested in working at the top of Paris? 

Home > What Nobody Told You About Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower, Paris)

What Nobody Told You About Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower, Paris)

The Tour Maine-Montparnasse , best known as Tour Montparnasse or Montparnasse Tower , is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris . With 59 floors and 210 m high, the Tower is Paris’ tallest building and the only skyscraper in the city. This stupendous Tower is situated at 33 Ave. du Maine, in the 15th Arrondissement of Paris. The entrance is at Rue de l’Arrivée, while the nearest metro stop is Montparnasse Bienvenue.

The Tour Montparnasse is named after the neighborhood it is located in. In the 17th century, students from the neighboring Latin Quarter liked to meet at the top of a small artificial hill in the south of the city, where sand and rubble were piled up, to recite poems. Ironically, the hill then took the name of Mount Parnassus , a mythical Greek mountain dedicated to the god Apollo and his nine Muses, protectors of the arts and poetry.

The Montparnasse neighborhood was from 1900 and, especially during the interwar period, the heart of Parisian artistic and intellectual life. After Apollinaire, Gauguin, Matisse, and the Douanier Rousseau, many foreign artists, mostly Jews, went into exile in Paris: Modigliani, Zadkine, Soutine, Chagall, and many more. They were attracted by the affordable rents of housing and workshops.

The Montparnasse neighborhood is also home to the Montparnasse Cemetery , one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Paris , the Observatoire de Paris, the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, and the Carrières des Capucins .

Tour Montparnasse Hours and Ticket Price

From 1 October to 31 March, the Tower is open from 9.30 am to 10.30 pm, from Sunday to Thursday, and from 9.30 am to 11.00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays.

From 1 April to 30 September, the Tower is open from 9.30 am to 11.30 pm every day.

Tour Montparnasse tickets cost 15€ (adults), 11€ (students and visitors aged 12 to 17), and 7.50€ (kids aged 4 to 11). It is free to visit for kids under 4 years – Click here to book your tickets in advance

Access to Tour Montparnasse is included in The Paris Pass (now Go City Paris) . There are also interesting bundles combining some of the top Paris attractions that make you save time and money:

• Montparnasse Tower + Seine Cruise (5% off)
• Montparnasse Tower + Arc de Triomphe (5% off)
• Montparnasse Tower + Opera Garnier (5% off)

Tour Montparnasse Inside

The Montparnasse Tower has 59 floors above ground and six floors underground. The floors open to visitors are floor #56 and floor #59.

Montparnasse Tower Obervation Deck

Prepare for a dizzying ascent: the Tower’s lightning-fast elevator rises from the ground floor to the 56th floor in just 38 seconds! This lift is one of the fastest lifts in Europe at speeds reaching 60km/h.

Called the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck , the 56th floor allows visitors to admire breathtaking views of Paris protected from wind and rain. The Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck is equipped with avant-garde interactive and audio-visual facilities to aid in interpreting the views of the city you see below. These include exhibitions, binoculars, interactive facilities, viewpoint tables, quizzes, and more.

You will also find a bar-restaurant, a café and a souvenir shop on this floor.

The Terrace

The Montparnasse Tower tickets also give you access to the 59th floor. This is actually an outdoor roof terrace that, at 210 meters high, offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of Paris.

This floor is accessible by stairs from the 56th floor, and it has telescopes and orientation tables to help visitors locate the monuments and famous buildings of Paris .

Interesting and Quirky Facts About the Montparnasse Tower, Paris

In addition to its location and imposing architecture, here are some interesting Montparnasse Tower facts.

1. Tour Montparnasse’s Main Figures

The Tour Montparnasse weighs 150,000 tons, has an oval shape of 164 x 104 meters, and has six underground levels and 59 floors.

It has 70 m of foundation, 25 lifts working at 6m/second, 40,000m2 of façade, 7,200 windows, and 1306 stairs. The Montparnasse Tower receives 1,2 million visitors per year on roofs #56 and #59, while the rest of the Tower is a prestigious address that welcomes around 5,000 employees daily.

2. It took 11 Years to Approve the Construction of the Montparnasse Tower

From the first drawings to the beginning of the construction, it took eleven years to approve the project!

All began in 1959 when the French rail company, SNCF, decided that the Montparnasse Station needed to be renovated and moved to accommodate the growing influx of passengers. So much to Paris’ dismay, the Gare Montparnasse was moved to its current location, and a 59-story tower was designed on the site of the former station to house Parisian office buildings.

The project was strongly criticized because of the height of the building. A controversy began and led to slowdowns in the project, led by the Minister of Equipment Edgard Pisani, who obtained the support of André Malraux, then Minister of Culture under General de Gaulle.

In 1969, Georges Pompidou, President of the Republic, wanted to provide Paris with modern infrastructure and granted the construction of a real complex with a Shopping Center. The construction of this Paris skyscraper could then begin.

In April 1970, the first stone was laid, and French multinational VINCI built the Tower after the design of architects Eugène Beaudouin, Urbain Cassan, and Louis Hoym de Marien. VINCI is also known for constructing the Centre Pompidou, the Channel Tunnel, and the Stade de France.

It took four years to complete the Tower, and was finally inaugurated in 1973.

3. The Montparnasse Tower Was Strongly Criticized by Parisians

Just like with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Pyramid , Tour Montparnasse’s design and imposing measures were strongly criticized by Parisians.

While the Eiffel Tower and the Glass Pyramid eventually became the most popular landmarks in the city and Parisians fully embraced the Eiffel Tower as the ultimate symbol of their city, the resentment toward the Tour Montparnasse never went away, and it still isn’t liked by Parisians.

The Parisians were so unhappy that the city of Paris passed a law banning further buildings over seven stories tall in the historical center of Paris to prevent such a fiasco from happening again.

4. The Tour Montparnasse Was Voted the Second Ugliest Building in the World

In 2008,  the travel website named Virtual Tourist , rest in peace, organized a competition amongst its readers to choose the World’s Ugliest Buildings, and the Montparnasse Tower was voted second!

Only the Boston City Hall , a Brutalist building in Boston, was voted uglier, an honor that we are not sure their cities are proud of.

5. The Montparnasse Tower Offers the Best View of Paris

While everybody agrees the Montparnasse Tower offers one of the best views of Paris , we say it simply offers the best! While the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Sacré-Coeur, provide a great view, you can’t escape the giant Montparnasse Tower in the distance. Ironically, the Montparnasse Tower view is the best because it’s the only vantage point in the city where you don’t see the Tour Montparnasse.

From 210 meters above ground, admire one of the best Eiffel Tower views , Montmartre, the Louvre, the Invalides, and even see beyond Paris.

In clear weather, the view extends up to 40 kilometers from the Yvelines to Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly Airports and the Eastern suburbs of Val de Marne and Seine-et-Marne. From the Observation Deck, one can often see planes taking off and landing at Orly Airport!

6. The Montparnasse Tower Restaurant is the Highest in Europe

On floor 56, visitors will also find the Montparnasse Tower restaurant, Le Ciel de Paris , which is the highest restaurant in Europe!

Le Ciel de Paris welcomes guests every day until 11.30 pm and provides fine dining with 360° vistas of the city and all its monuments.

Because of its unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower, Le Ciel de Paris is one of the most coveted places to see the fireworks on the 14th of July (France’s National Day) . Book well in advance!

7. The Tour Montparnasse Was Paris’ Tallest Building in France for Nearly 40 Years!

From its construction in 1973 until 2011, the Tour Montparnasse (210 meters tall) was Paris’ tallest building and also the tallest building in France.

In 2011 however, the massive Tour First was remodeled, adding to its height and surpassing the Montparnasse Tower as the tallest in France. Located in La Défense business district, just outside Paris, the Tour First stands today at 231 meters, just 21 meters taller than Montparnasse Tower. This difference was enough to land it the title of the tallest building in France.

8. The Tour Montparnasse Was Free-Scaled in 2015

In 2015 Alain Robert, also known as “the French Spider-Man,” climbed the Montparnasse Tower without a harness or ropes in less than an hour. During his climb, he wore the Nepalese flag to bring awareness to human rights violations in this country.

As you can imagine, the Paris police were waiting for Mr. Robert on the top of the Tower with a red carpet, and he was arrested as soon as he reached the top.

9. It took 3 Years to Remove a Substance that Causes Cancer from the Tower

In 2005, a study concluded that the Montparnasse Tower contained 20 times the legal limit of asbestos material, a substance considered to be a carcinogen.

This resulted in some companies who rented office space at the Tower leaving it.

Removal of the asbestos started in the year 2009 and ended three years later. Surprisingly, the Tour Montparnasse continued to operate normally during this time.

10. A Place of Numerous Events

During summer in Paris , the Montparnasse Tower hosts a variety of events on the Observation Deck. Some of the events in the Tower are yoga, exercise classes, and live musical performances. There is also an outdoor bar, which offers a lovely chance to relax with your head in the clouds…

11. Home to the Highest Skate Rink in Paris

Believe it or not, but in winter, you can skate at the Tower’s open terrace – the highest skating rink in Paris!

For the last four years, a 30m2 ice rink made of synthetic material was installed at the top of the Montparnasse Tower at an altitude of 210m. The event welcome more than 30,000 people each year, both Parisians and tourists from all over the world, who could enjoy the joys of ice skating with unobstructed views of Paris

The highest ice rink in Paris was to return to the top of the Montparnasse Tower for a fifth edition in February-March 2023. However, “reasons beyond its control” prompted the Paris Montparnasse Observatory to cancel the event last minute. Let’s hope the Tower’s skate rink will be back in 2024!

What to Do Near the Montparnasse Tower, Paris?

• Montparnasse Cemetery
• Catacombs of Paris
• Parc Montsouris
• Carrières des Capucins
• Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain

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About WORLD IN PARIS

Quirky parisian explorers with a preference for lesser-known sights, we are continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about us ., we’re elisa, norbert, valérie, and cédric, four travel bloggers and friends living in paris. quirky explorers with a preference for the local side of our city and its lesser-known sights, we are continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & our best tips learn more about us.

A Guide To Visiting Montparnasse: What To See and Do

Stretching across parts of the 6th, 14th and 15th arrondissements on Rive Gauche (the Left Bank of the Seine), Montparnasse is easily recognised by having Paris’ only inner city skyscraper, the Tour Montparnasse. It’s also known as the historic quarter whose traditional cafés attracted many artists and authors over the years. 

While the quarter isn’t huge, it’s crammed full with things to see. 

The quarter of creativity

Montparnasse was a haven for literary greats and famous artists during the early 20th century. It attracted names such as Ernest Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, and Gertrude Stein from the literary world, and philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. 

Painters like Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, and Marc Chagall also flocked to the area, contributing to the bohemian atmosphere, which you can still feel today. 

Café society in Montparnasse

The cafés of Montparnasse, stretching along Boulevard du Montparnasse, like La Rotonde, Le Dôme, and La Coupole, served as intellectual salons where artistic minds exchanged ideas and philosophies. 

These personalities transformed the area into a hotbed of creativity, inspiring one another and influencing the course of modern art and literature. Their work and ideas continue to resonate through generations, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of the 20th century. 

If you’re a reader, writer, or artist, there’s nothing quite like sitting on the terraces of these cafes being inspired by their history. To feel really close to your favorite writer, head straight to La Closerie des Lilas , where tables have little metal signs on them telling you exactly who sat where once upon a time.

Get an art fix

It’s no surprise that this creative quarter also offers an array of art museums that celebrate diverse artistic expressions. Here are a few of my favorites:

• The Musée Bourdelle : This museum lies hidden just across from the Montparnasse train station and pays homage to Antoine Bourdelle. Set in his former home and studio, it showcases an extensive collection of his sculptures, drawings, and personal belongings. 
• The Giacometti Institute . This is not only a beautiful architectural time capsule but also houses a remarkable selection of Alberto Giacometti’s sculptures, paintings, and sketches, displaying perfectly his unique existentialist perspective.
• The Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art , on the border of Montparnasse, showcases everything from sculptures to cutting-edge contemporary exhibitions, making it a vital part of the neighborhood’s artistic landscape not to be missed.  

Take a walking tour

Montparnasse has many secrets to reveal, and the best way to get a great overview of the quarter, especially if you’re short on time, is on our Montparnasse Walking Tour .

Exploring the neighborhood on foot, you’ll learn more about Montparnasse’s French Resistance past, plus become aware of its Black and women’s history, all while listening to anecdotes from your local guide explaining more about the celebrities of the neighborhood and its café society.

Shopping in Montparnasse

It’s impossible to go anywhere in Paris without at least indulging in some window-shopping, and Montparnasse is no exception. 

Don’t miss the Montparnasse branch of Galeries Lafayette, smaller sister of the Haussmann flagship store . The Galeries Lafayette houses the majority of French high-street brands and also has a branch of France’s best charity store, Emmaüs, within its building, where you can often find designer bargains at rock-bottom prices. 

Also, Rue de Rennes starts in Montparnasse and stretches itself all along the way to Saint-Germain-des-Près near the Seine. Along it and its side streets, you’ll find individual French boutiques, global chains, and luxury brands — basically, something for every budget.

Where best to eat

Montparnasse is a foodie haven. From traditional brasseries to seafood restaurants, from creperies to little bistros, and great breakfast spots, here you can eat until you pop. 

One of my personal favorites is Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse , which is not just extremely photogenic but also serves French staples without frills and for a handful of euros. (This is the restaurant our Eiffel Tower tour guides might recommend to you, too, if you ask. There are a few around Paris.) 

Local tip: Just make sure you translate each dish carefully if you want to avoid dishes that include offal. There are quite a few of those on the menu.

I tend to order six escargots (snails) for starters and follow with the boeuf bourguignon or the fish of the day. Go to La Closerie des Lilas as well, but unless you have a generous budget, stick to coffee by the bar because their restaurant is pricey, though very good. 

La Coupole is full of history and art, and great for seafood lovers. And should you be sick of croissants for breakfast or simply want something more substantial, such as nicely cooked eggs and hash browns, head straight to Coffee Club . 

Get the best views from Tour Montparnasse, Eiffel Tower included

Paris is not Paris without the Eiffel Tower, and seeing la Dame de Fer (the Iron Lady) is on top of most visitors’ to-do list. Understandably. 

But then you are standing at the top of the tower, and you see Paris stretching out below you, without the Eiffel Tower. So isn’t it much better to get to the best vantage point in Paris and see the city spreading below you, with the Eiffel Tower in the picture?

Enter the Montparnasse Tower . From the glass-enclosed observation deck on the 56th floor, reached by Europe’s fastest lift, you can see up to 25 miles on a clear day, with the Eiffel Tower right in front of you. You can get an adult ticket for €21 or a ticket for day and night visit — for two very different experiences — for €28.

The Catacombs of Paris

The Paris catacombs were first conceived in the late 1700s, when disease was rampant in Paris and cemeteries within the city limits were blamed. The convenient underground tunnels left over from quarrying, were deemed a perfect place to store thousands of bones dug up from the cemeteries, and, surprisingly, they’ve been open to the public since 1809. So far, so creepy. 

Today, the catacombs are a warren of tunnels beneath Place Denfert-Rochereau at the outer limits of Montparnasse providing both history and an eerie thrill, when walking through the maze. The tunnels, incidentally, have street names mirroring the streets above ground. You will not only come across neatly stacked bones, but also art, and even a well once used by the quarrymen.

Catacombs Guided Tour

If you want to visit, try our skip-the-line guided tour of the Paris Catacombs . As a bonus, it includes special access to areas otherwise forbidden to the regular public.

A walk through a scenic cemetery

Ready for more mortality? Paris has some great cemeteries, and while the Montparnasse cemetery might not be quite as vast and atmospheric as Père Lachaise for example, it has a lot to offer. There’s not only graves of famous names, with the aforementioned Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir laid to rest there but also Statue of Liberty sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and photographer Man Ray and, most recently, style icon Jane Birkin. 

But there are also some quirky sights worth searching out. Look for artist’s Niki de Saint Phalle grave complete with colorful sculptures and the grave of family Charles Pigeon, which is a life-sized bronze sculpture of his wife lying in bed, him sitting by her side, both watched by an angel.

Local tip: Print out the official map to see who lies where.

Little Theatre Land

If you want to work on your French, try a visit to the theater. 

Montparnasse is filled with small, independent theaters, showing anything from serious plays to magic and fun. The most Instagrammable of them all is the blue Comédie Italienne, which, to be fair, often has Italian shows on the program.

Also blue and photogenic, is the tiny Théâtre Edgar, which usually shows comedies. If your French is still in its baby shoes, then why not cheat a little? The Théâtre de la Gaîté Montparnasse regularly shows plays with English subtitles, making it so much easier!   

After your tour through Montparnasse

To end your saunter through Montparnasse, head to one of Paris’ best parks, the Jardin du Luxembourg , on the outer edge of the quarter. Walk through it, stop for coffee, sail a small wooden yacht in the iconic fountain, or simply sit with a book in one of the tilted and surprisingly comfortable metal chairs. But don’t miss it. It’s the perfect end to your visit to this typically Parisian neighborhood. 

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Moscow Layover Guide (SVO)

What are you looking for in SVO? Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Sheremetyevo Alexander S. Pushkin International Airport (SVO) is one of the 4 major airports serving Moscow, the capital of Russia. The airport is situated in the city of Khimki, Moscow Oblast and it is located 29 km (18 mi) from central Moscow. The airport has had international flights since it opened officially as a civilian airport in 1959. Moscow is the most populous city of Russia, known for its wealth, tourism, history, architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and serves as the cultural, scientific and financial centre.

Can you leave Moscow Airport (SVO) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa? It's possible to leave Moscow airport during a layover. However, you would need a visa depending on your nationality to pass through immigration and customs control. ( more info ).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Moscow Organized Tours

St. Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square

Probe the glory of the famed St. Basil’s Cathedral in the heart of the city and learn the history of the great Red Square. Your tour begins at the 16th Century St. Basil’s Cathedral with a guide that lectures on the origin of the site and various historical events attached to them. Recorded as one of the oldest church buildings in Russia, the Cathedral was built under the rule of Ivan The Terrible and is shaped in the form of a bonfire flame rising to the sky and remains a symbol of Russian. The building now serves as a Museum Of Religion with a ban on church services. The Red Square is a large stretch of cobblestone square in central Moscow formerly used as parade grounds by the Soviet Union encompassed by the beautiful architectures of the Kremlin, the St. Basil’s Cathedral, the State History Museum and other marvels. The Lobnoye Mesto where several high profile public executions were carried out. » book this tour

The Grand Kremlin Palace

Explore the highly revered presidential palace of Russia. Learn how important the various monuments and landmarks are important to the history of Russia on a private tour of the palace in the city of Moscow. As part of your tour package, a guide takes you through the exquisite halls and towers of The Kremlin which at a time during the 17th – 20th century was residential to the Tsars and the royal family and the famed Ivan The Terrible, all of which’s history and more you’ll learn from your guide as you’re taken through the palace from the Kutafya Tower through to the Palace Of Facets and led to see the never-rung Tsar Bell, the largest in the world and as per the Guinness Book Of Records the largest cannon in the world, Tsar Cannon. » book this tour

Moscow: Metro & The State Tretyakov Art Gallery Tour

Admire the art-adorned famous Moscow Metro Station and explore a vast collection of classical Russian art at the State Tretyakov Art Gallery. The breath-taking marble halls of the Moscow Metro Stations are adorned with beautiful mosaic artworks. Chandeliers and intricate architecture enough to pass for a palace which indeed is known to the locals as the “People’s Palace” when it was opened in 1935. Included in your tour after seeing the beautifully designed Metro Stations is a visit to Tretyakov, one of the largest in the country which houses a vast collection of classical Russian art, sculptures and the famous 15th century icon The Trinity by Andrei Rublev. Founded in 1856 the gallery boasts of a range of 130,000 collections in its exhibit. » book this tour

Moscow Things to do / Sightseeing

With a touch of distinct architectural design, the 127-year-old GUM (abbreviation) known as the State Department Store during the Soviet era facing the Red Square, functions now as a shopping mall that houses about 150 shops where you can find any luxury brand, gourmet food just to name a few. It is the largest department store in Russia and with its ornate interior has become a tourist attraction. Fun Fact: It contains a historical luxury soviet era toilet.

Time required: Full Day.

Airport to here: Trip takes 34 minutes to make via taxi and an 1 hour via public transport.

The Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin which translates “fortress inside a city” is an ancient fortified complex settled in the center of the city. As one of the largest fortresses in Europe, it has a host of five palaces, four cathedrals and 20 towers. The Grand Kremlin Palace, which is within the complex, was residence to the Tsar’s and houses two of the world’s largest monuments, the never shot Tsar Cannon and the never rung Tsar Bell mainly consisting of copper and also gold. The peak of the towers has ruby stars placed on them, believed to possess powerful energy. The Kremlin currently serves as residence to the President of Russia.

Time required: 2 hours minimum, 4 hours maximum to explore.

Airport to here: At least 28 minutes via taxi and an hour by bus.

Central House Of Artists

For most contemporary art lovers, this is one of the most and best places to visit in Moscow. The Central House Of Houses is the largest Russian exhibition complex and features a largely early 20th-century collection of modern Russian art, exquisite Soviet art collection and a sculpture garden with Soviet-era sculptures. CHA hosts 300 annual local and international exhibitions, film festivals and serves as a great spot for socialization for people of all ages.

Time required: Full day.

Airport to here: 40 minutes via taxi and an hour via public transportation.

The UNESCO listed World Heritage Red Square surrounded by exemplary architecture is by far Russia’s most historically significant places to visit. It’s grounds for the colorful famous St. Basil’s Cathedral, the GUM and the brick platform on which executions ordered by Ivan The Terrible were carried out called the Lobnoye Mesto and Lenin’s Mausoleum just to name a few. The body of Soviet Union Dictator, Vladimir Lenin is displayed in a granite tomb at the Red Square, since 1930.

Airport to here: Trip takes 33 minutes by taxi and an hour by public transport.

The Moscow Metro

The city of Moscow proves to be one of alluring grandeur, architectural design and the extravagant Metro Station proves it quite precisely. Covered with ornate walls and earning the title ‘People’s Palace’, has become a tourist attraction on its own and has 232 stations. It generally has a classical aesthetic beauty for stunning photographic experiences and many of them feature bursts of Soviet leaders. The Sportivnaya station houses The Museum Of The Moscow Metro where a collection of interesting models of trains can be found.

Airport to here: This will depend solely on which of the stations is preferred to visit as there is a several of them.

State Historical Museum

The museum, on the Red Square houses a vast collection of Russian history in antiquity (including the 17-19th century) and holds exhibitions to display them. For a better understanding of Russian history a tour of the Museum is requisite.

Airport to here: 35 minutes via taxi and an hour via public transport.

Alexander Garden

How about a stroll through a tranquil garden with beautiful views of the city, landscape designs, ornamented colorful flower beds, Russian fairy tale and water figures and a vast variety of artistic monuments from different eras like the Romanov Obelisk.The Alexander Garden along the Kremlin walls was founded in 1821 to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon forces is the city’s first public park and links the Red Square and The Kremlin.

Time required: A couple relaxing hours will do.

Airport to here: 36 minute drive via taxi and an hour via public transport.

Park Zaryadye

A free to visit green space that features a floating bridge with a view of The Kremlin insight, a food court that highlights Russian cuisine and a simulated flight over Moscow created by way of a collection of footages, an interactive theme park ride that tours the city of Moscow. Another alluring space for a great photographic and leisure experience in the city of Moscow.

Time required: You’ll need at least 2-3 hours to explore.

Airport to here: 37 minutes via taxi and an hour via public transport.

Things to Do in Moscow Airport (SVO)

Relaxing and sleeping.

Airport Lounges and Relaxing There are several lounges in each terminal. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping There are many options for hotels close to the airport as well as transit hotels in the airport found in the transit areas of Terminal D and E. » view all or book an airport hotel online

Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport There are no designated rest zones within the airport.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Free WiFi is available at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, but you must connect to the Wi-Fi network via call or text.

SIM Card: There are several shops within the airport that sell SIM cards. » buy a global sim card for Moscow, Russia that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Licensed taxis are readily available outside of the 1st floor of the Arrivals hall.

Train: The Union Pearson Express is an express train that runs between the airport and downtown in just 25 minutes. ( more info ).

Bus: There are buses that connect the airport with Moscow’s extensive transport network. ( more info ).

Shuttle: There are hotel and private shuttle services at the airport.

Car rentals: Offices of rental operators are located on the 1st floor of Terminal D » view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: A safe and secure parking facility is available. You can book your parking slot online.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

24-hour Luggage offices can be found on the landside of every Terminal. » book a luggage storage or locker at Moscow Airport (SVO) online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Moscow Airport (SVO) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks

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