My wife and I are going to be in Paris for four days in late May and I'm trying to decide where to spend our few evenings. What I'm looking for are your thoughts on your favorite high altitude spot(s) to view Paris as the sun is setting and when its dark. Unfortunately, the Eiffel Tower is out - we have early morning reservations on day. Trocadero, the top of Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, Montparnasse Tower and Arc de Triumph are all on my short list but I honestly can't decide. Others? Please tell me your favorite and why. :-)
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7025 posts
I really enjoyed the view from the Arc de Triomphe. I went up there just before sunset and the view of the streets radiating out from the Place Charles de Gaulle is fantastic. Watching the lights come on along the Champs Elysees and then seeing the Eiffel Tower when it sparkles on the hour, it was magical. Highly recommend.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
Sitting on the quay, the low one right at the edge of the Seine, on the Isle St. Louis behind Notre Dame is my favorite place to be at sunset - I know it's not the high place you're looking for but if you can spare one night it's magical and very romantic! Take a bottle of wine and enjoy...
The Trocadero isn't terribly high but it is very nice to watch the colors change against all the stone around you and watch the lights of the Eiffel Tower come on and sparkle on the hour.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2261 posts
I'm with Nancy on this one. The Arc was all the view of Paris we needed, high enough to see a bunch, but low enough that it wasn't all "ants on the ground". We skipped the Eiffel experience, but did enjoy it from the water on a Seine night cruise.
Posted by
Milwaukee, WI, USA
196 posts
Marcus,
I am a photographer and I always make it a point to to take a boat cruise on the Seine at dusk. I prefer the Bateaux Mouches at the Pont de l'Alma (the big boats) because they give you the highest view off the water from the top deck. If the light is right and there are some clouds in the sky, the Eiffel Tower is framed nicely from all different points of view as the boat moves (I like the classic frame of the Pont Alexander III in the foreground with the Tower behind it) and the light on the Louvre and Notre Dame (the back side is my favorite view because the flying buttresses are very stark in the light) is wonderful!
The Left Bank is going to be in the dark (the Musee D'Orsey, Latin Quarter, etc.) but the colors are interesting nonetheless. But when you see how nicely places like the Isle St. Loius and the bateaux mouches tied up along the quays are lit up, I always think to myself how lucky the people are who actually live in these homes!
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Agree with Marcus re the view from the Siene! You're there a few nights, save one for sitting on a bench in Champ du Mars park @10pm and watch the Eiffel Tower light up!
Posted by
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
740 posts
I will add my support for the Bateaux Mouches twilight cruise on the Seine. The buildings on the river are beautifully lit at night and the boat provides a nice vantage point.