Which Paris Museum Pass Sites Have the Best Views?
Several pass sites offer spectacular views — the Arc de Triomphe rooftop, Notre-Dame’s towers, the Panthéon dome colonnade, the Hôtel de la Marine loggia and the Trocadéro museums — all included. You can enjoy Paris from above without paying for the Eiffel Tower. Here are the best views on the pass.
The Arc de Triomphe rooftop
The Arc de Triomphe’s terrace is one of the finest viewpoints in Paris, looking down the twelve radiating avenues with the Eiffel Tower across the rooftops. It’s covered by the pass, needs no reservation, and is especially magical at sunset — a budget-savvy alternative to a paid tower.
Notre-Dame’s Bell Towers
Climbing Notre-Dame’s towers (on the pass, with a free reservation) rewards you with close-up gargoyles and sweeping views over the Île de la Cité and the Seine. It’s a classic Paris panorama, earned by a 400-step climb up the spiral stair.
The Panthéon’s dome colonnade
In the warmer months, the Panthéon opens its dome colonnade for a seasonal climb, giving rooftop views across the Latin Quarter and beyond. Included in the pass, it’s a less obvious viewpoint that rewards those who venture up.
The Hôtel de la Marine loggia
The Hôtel de la Marine’s loggia offers a memorable, ground-level-but-elevated view over Place de la Concorde — one of the city’s grandest squares. Covered by the pass, it’s an elegant, lesser-known vantage point in the heart of the city.
Trocadéro museum views
The pass-included museums at the Palais de Chaillot — the Cité de l’Architecture and the Musée de la Marine — sit at the Trocadéro, with the classic head-on Eiffel Tower view right outside. The terrace itself is free, but your pass gets you into the museums framing that iconic scene.
Great pass viewpoints at a glance
- The Arc de Triomphe rooftop — the twelve avenues and the Eiffel Tower.
- Notre-Dame’s towers — the Île de la Cité and the Seine.
- The Panthéon dome — seasonal Latin Quarter views.
- The Hôtel de la Marine loggia — Place de la Concorde.
- Versailles — the gardens from the palace steps.
Time your views well
For the best views, aim for clear days and golden hour — sunset at the Arc de Triomphe is unforgettable. The pass’s flexibility lets you choose the right moment and weather, and even revisit the area at the right time, since you’re not paying per entry.
Skip the paid towers if you like
Because the Arc and Notre-Dame’s towers are on the pass, you can enjoy superb high views — including the Eiffel Tower in the picture — without paying for the Eiffel Tower or Montparnasse Tower. Many travellers find the pass’s viewpoints more than satisfy their craving for a panorama.
Plan a viewpoint trail
For a memorable day, string the viewpoints together: climb the Panthéon dome in the Latin Quarter, take in Notre-Dame’s towers over on the Île de la Cité, then finish at the Arc de Triomphe for sunset over the Champs-Élysées. With the pass covering each, you can build a whole day around seeing Paris from above — something that would be costly with separate paid viewpoints.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass for the views
To see Paris from above without a separate ticket, buy your Paris Museum Pass online in advance, reserve the Notre-Dame towers, and time the Arc de Triomphe for sunset. Secure your pass and take in the city’s best panoramas.
Frequently asked questions
Which pass sites have the best views?
The Arc de Triomphe rooftop, Notre-Dame’s towers, the Panthéon dome and the Hôtel de la Marine loggia.
Do I need the Eiffel Tower for a view?
No — the Arc and Notre-Dame’s towers offer superb panoramas on the pass.
Which needs a reservation?
Notre-Dame’s towers; the Arc usually doesn’t.
When is the Panthéon dome open?
Seasonally, in the warmer months.
When’s the best time for views?
Clear days and sunset, especially at the Arc.
Is the Trocadéro view free?
Yes — the terrace is free; the pass covers the museums there.