Paris is full of high-up viewpoints that don't require an expensive ticket or a long queue. The Haussmannian department stores, in particular, hide free rooftop terraces looking out over the zinc rooftops, the Eiffel Tower and the Sacré-Cœur. Rounded out by a few paid rooftops, these vantage points offer an accessible alternative to the big observation decks, at almost any time of day.
The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann rooftop terrace
Perched on the top floor of the department store, this free terrace offers a 360 degree view over the rooftops of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier opera house and the Sacré-Cœur all in sight. It's reached directly by the store's elevators, no booking required.
The Art Nouveau dome of Galeries Lafayette
Before heading up to the roof, it's worth a detour through the ground floor to admire the listed glass dome that towers over the store's central atrium. Its colored stained glass and metal framework make it an attraction in its own right, and free to see as well.
The dome of Printemps Haussmann
Across the boulevard, the Printemps department store has its own historic glass dome, every bit as striking, best admired from the café set up just beneath it. The contrast between the two neighboring domes is worth the comparison on its own.
The Printemps Haussmann rooftop terrace
On top of the building whose facade towers over the boulevard, a free terrace offers an open view over the Palais Garnier opera house and the rooftops of the 9th arrondissement. It's one of the best spots in central Paris for a sunset, with no line to wait in.
The Centre Pompidou rooftop terrace
At the top of the modern art museum, a paid terrace (reachable with a dedicated ticket or the museum ticket) overlooks the rooftops of the Marais and the Latin Quarter, with an unusual close-up perspective on the building's own colorful structure. It's one of the few Paris rooftops with a close view of Notre-Dame and the Panthéon.
The Institut du Monde Arabe terrace
On the banks of the Seine, the top-floor terrace of the Institut du Monde Arabe is free to access and looks straight out at Notre-Dame and the Île Saint-Louis. The building itself, known for its mechanical moucharabieh screens that filter the light, is worth a look before you even reach the roof.
Tips
Department store terraces generally close during heavy storms or high winds, so it's worth checking the weather before heading up, and late afternoon usually brings the softest light. No booking is needed for the Galeries Lafayette or Printemps rooftops, unlike the Centre Pompidou terrace, where reserving a time slot in advance helps avoid the busiest moments. To reach the department stores, get off at Chaussée d'Antin-La Fayette (lines 7 and 9) or Havre-Caumartin (lines 3 and 9). The Centre Pompidou sits a short walk from Rambuteau (line 11) or Hôtel de Ville (lines 1 and 11), while the Institut du Monde Arabe is served by Jussieu station (lines 7 and 10). Combining a shopping trip with the climb to the roof is the simplest way to enjoy the view without going out of your way.
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