I'm just curious as to how good the photography is at night at the top of the Montparnasse Tower. Is the observation deck behind glass, i.e., is it impossible to get great shots? Or is it like other observation decks that I've been to where its either open, or the glass has gaps to photograph through? We're going to be arriving late one day into Gare Montparnasse and I was figuring if we were already there is it worth going up there at night? For that matter is the view from up there even that spectacular?
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
The view is spectacular. The observation area is completely enclosed in glass. I got great photos thru the glass during the day. A few years ago when I was there, you could go to the roof on the outside also (it was very windy). Not sure if it's still accessible or open at night. I suspect for panoramic night photos of Paris, you may want to try the Eiffel Tower, top of Notre Dame towers, or Arch de Triomphe.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2261 posts
The Arc de Triomphe has no glass in the way and is also at an excellent perspective, you can actually make out what you're looking at, it's spectacular. To my mind, a more compelling photo op. Have a great time.
Posted by
Lakewood
37 posts
I am currently in Paris and a couple of nights ago went to the top of the Montparnasse Tower. The view is spectacular. It's a great way to see Paris at night. We went at 10pm at night when it wasn't crowded. We still had to wait in line for the elevator, but that only lasted about 5 minutes. The top outside wasn't too crowded and the floor just below the outside top, wasn't crowded either. In the inside level there are flat screens that let you know what you're looking. They are much better than the displays on the upper, outside level. By the time we left, there weren't any lines and the place was almost empty.
As for pictures, yes there is glass surrounding the top, outside level that you can get good photos through. But, there are also places where there is a gap between the glass panels, that are about 5' off the ground and the gap is about 6"-8" x 4'-5', so plenty of room to take photos without the glass.
Enjoy any view you have from the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower or Montparnasse. All are excellent.
Posted by
OP
Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland
453 posts
Thanks for the info everyone. Cathy, from what I'm reading it almost sounds like the setup at the Top of the Rock in New York. I dont know if you've been up there but the panels are about 6' x 8' with small gaps (maybe 3") between them -more than wide enough to put a lens through them and get amazing photographs. BTW, for those of you that are planning to go to NYC the view from the Rock is better than the one from the top of the Empire State Building because you get it in your picture (hmmm....sounds a lot like the situation at the Eiffel Tower). I know this isnt the forum for travel to the US, but in the spirit of sharing....
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6489 posts
You've broken the code! The view from the Tour Montparnasse includes the Tour Eiffel, which is spectacular at night. Since you'll be there at the station, you might as well go for it. Much easier to get up there than up in the ET, less crowded, and the view comparable imho.