For years, Parisians have joked that the Tour Montparnasse offers the best views of the city – not because of its height, but because it’s the only place in the capital where you can’t see the building itself.
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First opened in 1973, the controversial skyscraper sticks out like a sore thumb in the city of love and backlash to the construction even led to a ban on buildings over a certain height. To this day, almost all of Paris’ skyscrapers lie outside city limits, with the exception of the Tour Triangle, which is due to be completed later this year.
Now, more than 50 years on, the Tour Montparnasse is getting a makeover – and it means the popular observation deck on the 56th floor will be shutting its doors.
Visitors have until 31 March 2026 to head up to the rooftop, which on clear days offers views covering distances of up to 40 kilometres away (most importantly, the observation deck has a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower).
Tour Montparnasse will undergo renovations until “at least 2030”.
What’s next for Tour Montparnasse?
Nouvelle AOM, a collective created by the founders of Franklin Azzi Architecture, ChartierDalix and Hardel Le Bihan Architectes, won the competition to rework the tower back in 2017.
It was then hoped that the renovations would be complete in time for the Olympic Games, which Paris hosted in 2024.
All of the building’s tenants will be leaving the building by the end of next month so that renovation works can begin.
The main change will be the building’s new glass façade, as well as an urban farm greenhouse on its roof.
Renzo Piano Building Workshop is in charge of redesigning the commercial centre at the building’s base. That project will see the creation of a large planted piazza which will have cafes, terraces, cultural and sports facilities.
“The scale of the new buildings is calibrated to harmonise with the surrounding urban fabric, reinforcing the feeling of a coherent Parisian block rather than a monolithic complex,” the architecture firm has said.
Where to go for views of Paris
In Paris proper, height restrictions mean there aren’t many options for viewing platforms at a similar level to Tour Montparnasse (which is 210 metres tall) beyond the Eiffel Tower (330 metres) itself.
Thanks to its position atop Montmartre, the dome at the Sacré-Cœur stands 82 metres above the city, and there are tours here daily.
Tours Duo in the 13th arrondissement, two skyscrapers designed by Jean Nouvel, are the third tallest in the city, and the TOO TacTac bar on the 27th floor has views from 120 metres up.
Tourists can also book a table at Windo Skybar on the 34th floor (140 metres up) of the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile in the 17th arrondissement.