Paris-Best place to view Eifel tower

Tour Montparnasse.

Arc de Triomphe.

Thank you, Norma

I second the Arc d'Triomphe, especially after dark when the ET sparkles - fantastic. I didn't get up the Montparnasse tower but hear it's also good.

Galleries Lafayette and Printemps department stores have rooftop decks with good views.

Best daylight view I had of Paris was from the top of the Notre Dame tower but it's quite a climb and usually a long wait in line.

For a different perspective, from the top looking down.

Trocadaro.

(That's the answer to your headline, not your question.)

Trocadero for a lively plaza across the river where you can see the ET full on, and also enjoy the café scene. Tour Montparnasse for a quick elevator ride up the second-highest tower, out of the weather, but not central to other sights. Arc de Triomphe for itself and all its surroundings, but I think the elevators are only for disabled people and it's quite a few stairs for us old folks. Notre Dame for the gargoyles and architecture and view down the river, but long lines and a steep climb up medieval stairs to get up there. In front of Sacre Coeur, on Montmartre, for a free view across much of the city with ET in the distance. Various big department stores for rooftop cafes where you have to buy at least a coffee or soda but can see a lot.

If the view is all that matters, my favorite is Tour Montparnasse. But its only other appeal is that you can't see it from on top of it.

There's also, for a different view, the Grande Arche at La Defense. Note that the RER trip out from the city centre is not covered by a normal Metro ticket, but the slower trip out on Metro Line 1 is.

From the top of the “Tour Sans Fins” planned next La Grande Arche in the early 90´s, however never realized could have been a nice place too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_Sans_Fins + Google some images.

Not a building, but the best place and time to view the tower is from a boat during sunset.

Trocadero!

For me it depends on what view or picture you may be going for. Standing on the Pont Alexandre III getting a picture of the lamps or statues with the Tower in the background. Or across the Pont d'lena (bridge in front of the Tower) to its right or left along the upper wall, a nice full view from an angle.

1. Trocadero

2. Champ de mars with a picnic dinner and bottle of wine

Champ de Mars (park in front of the ET) or maybe Montmartre...

Musee Pompidou (with admission ticket or Paris Museum Pass) and L'Institut du Monde Arabe (no ticket needed to visit rooftop terrace and café). If you have Rick's Paris guide book, see a similar list on p. 85.

Trocadero.

Trocadero is up close and terrific, especially after dark (keep valuables safely tucked away - better in your hotel room). Parisians told me that Montparnasse has the best views of the city - because wherever you look, you don't see Tour Monparnasse! Seriously, it's lovely and I took some great photos there in daytime. The elevator at the Arc de Triomphe is for people who can't do the stairs but not limited to the obviously disabled. Just ask nicely.