Up on the roof

One rooftop terrace we always try to access when visiting Musee d’Orsay is the outdoor area off of the Cafe Campana at the exit of the impressionist gallery, although we always eat at the cafe in anticipation of our walk into the impressionist gallery.

If you are fortunate enough to find the door from the cafe to the terrace open, you’ll be rewarded with 180° views to the north of the Seine in the direction of Sacre Coeur. Our granddaughters especially liked spotting all of the other grand train stations on the right bank after thinking about the history of the d’Orsay building itself.

Sacre Coeur is a nice view but you are so far away from the centre that everything is small.

One favorite roof top view that we enjoyed was from the Peacock Restaurant at Hotel Hera in Athens. Seeing the Acropolis lit up on our first night was spectacular! Another favorite: Venice view was at the top of the bell tower. Not really a roof top but a stunning view back to Venice. Another amazing panoramic view is from the rooftop of El Corte Ingles, Placa de Catalanya, Barcelona, sipping Sangria!

https://www.european-traveler.com/italy/enjoy-best-views-of-venice-from-san-giorgio-maggiore/amp/

Going a little bit out of the center, is the Grande Arche de la Défense. It is an incredible panoramic view of the whole area, but not the best for detailed views.

The day we were there was very rainy in the morning, but by the time we went to the top in the afternoon, the clouds had started to break up, so it was actually pretty pleasant.

There is a view straight down ave Charles de Gaulle to the Arc de Triomphe. Curious thing is that you can almost not see the Eiffel Tower. From the roof it lines up just in front to the Montparnasse Tower. The dark tower with the brown behind it mesh into one image.
Going across the roof is a walk way, and the chairs there reminded me more of a beachfront promenade, then a skyscraper roof.

When we were there the bar was closed, but they were having an exhibition of paparazzi photographers in the gallery.

I love views from up high and rarely pass up a chance to climb bell towers, clock towers, etc. but I think things that are "very" high up - like the top of the Eiffel Tower - are not as good as somewhat lower views such as the department stores mentioned. That obviously goes for other places besides Paris.

Oh, thought of another favorite view- we enjoyed the view from the popular Neboticnik Skyscraper in Ljubljana! We went to the 11 floor observation terrace and the cafe offers a wonderful panoramic view of city & Castle.
More views:
https://travelswithtalek.com/16-top-rooftop-lounges-bars/

Good point Mona, there were definitely people trying to access that balcony while we ate at the cafe. You can also take some cool photos when you're upstairs next to one of the big clock faces that have little peeks of the city.

And just to repeat my earlier mention, the cafe is the more casual dining option at the Orsay and is an excellent place to catch lunch. And they have iced tea! You will indeed need strength to deal with the masses of humanity in the impressionist rooms.

I like overviews too, but with age I've become more choosy about my climbs. My current rule is to stick to elevators, also to limit the time I'll spend waiting in line for one of those. So yes to Monparnasse Tower, no to Eiffel. Yes to San Giorgio in Venice, no to the Campanile next to San Marco. Yes to the London Eye or Sky Garden, no to St. Paul's dome. The time and energy required to get up high may be better spent covering more ground.

Also a bit away from the centre is the tethered balloon at Parc Andre Citroen. It goes up about 500 feet. It's a helium balloon so no chance of a Hindenburg!

I took some nice photos of the Eiffel Tower from the Pompidou. There was an observation deck at the top of the outside escalator that offered good views of the city. I also got a terrific shot of the ET from Montmartre (from the spot kerouac2 suggested). Others from Notre Dame’s towers :(

I loved the old Samaritaine roof, with its cranky little circular staircase, and wondered if any access is available now that the store is open again.

Maybe not, to judge from this disapproving report in July
https://secretsofparis.com/commentary/samaritaine-is-dead/#h-the-view

However, I I stumbled over this on-line collection, which despite promoting restaurants does suggest some alternatives of possible interest. And I still want to see the inside of the refurbished store which for years i was convinced faced only the wrecking ball.

www.doitinparis.com/en/rooftops-paris-25839

My favorite view in Europe is the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station rooftop bar. It’s eye level with the gambrel roofs that filters its skyline.

My best “view from the top” was Huayna Picchu peak at Machu Picchu. From it, one looks 1,000 feet down onto Machu Picchu. There are good views of Burgos from the Mirador Del Castillo, of Salzburg from the fortress, and of Wurzburg from its fortress.