Paris Unlocked: Unmissable Adventures Near Tour Montparnasse

From panoramic views to gourmet treats, discover the best of Paris near Tour Montparnasse.

Published: March 11, 2026
Tour Montparnasse Viewpoint

Tour Montparnasse serves up one of the best city views in Paris, but the magic doesn’t end at the observation deck. Step outside and you’ll find yourself in the heart of a Parisian neighborhood that has been home to generations of artists, writers, café-goers and gourmet bakers. Here, old-school bistros sit alongside trendy galleries, hidden parks beckon for a break, and every street reveals flavors and stories you simply can’t find elsewhere in Paris. Ready for a day that’s equal parts iconic sights, local color, and pure Parisian pleasure? Let’s explore everything you can do near Tour Montparnasse. 

Our favorite things to do near Tour Montparnasse include: 

  • Tour Montparnasse Observation Deck 
  • Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise 
  • Musée d'Orsay 
  • Shakespeare and Company Bookshop 
  • Boulevard Edgar Quinet Market 
  • Montparnasse Cemetery 
  • Luxembourg Gardens 
  • La Coupole Brasserie 
  • Musée de l'Orangerie 
  • Parc Montsouris 

Tour Montparnasse Observation Deck: Paris at Your Feet  

You absolutely can’t visit the neighborhood without heading to the top of Tour Montparnasse. Hop in the super-speedy elevator and in just 38 seconds you’re 200 meters above Paris—face to face with a skyline that stretches from Sacré-Cœur to the Eiffel Tower to La Défense. And yes, this is the spot for THAT classic photo of the Eiffel Tower rising above the city rooftops. 

What makes the experience special? The open-air rooftop terrace lets you feel the breeze and absorb the buzz of Paris from above. Interactive displays help you pick out landmarks, and at sunset, there’s nothing quite like watching the City of Lights come alive beneath you (with a glass of Champagne if you’re feeling celebratory). Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable Instagram moment or just want to get your bearings, this view turns even longtime Parisians into starry-eyed tourists. 

Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise: Classic City Views

Nothing says “I’m in Paris!” like gliding past the world’s most-loved landmarks on a river cruise. Bateaux Parisiens operates just up the road, making it an easy after-lunch or sunset treat. Board at Port de la Bourdonnais, close to the Eiffel Tower, and watch as the city’s UNESCO World Heritage riverbanks come alive: Notre-Dame, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and more, each with their own stories. 

What sets these cruises apart is the relaxing atmosphere—lean back, enjoy the breeze, and soak in Parisian life as locals picnic and musicians serenade you from the quays. Many cruises offer commentary, giving you tips on Paris secrets and hidden history. Our advice: take a cruise towards golden hour, when the bridges light up and everything feels just a little bit magical. Don’t forget your camera! 

Musée d’Orsay: Impressionist Heaven

Musée d'Orsay

Just a short Metro ride—or a pleasant stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens—lands you at the Musée d’Orsay. Housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station, this riverfront museum boasts not just grand clocks and palatial halls but the world’s best collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. 

Meander past masterworks by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, and Toulouse-Lautrec. What’s unique here is the ambiance: dazzling daylight, the sound of piano music from the atrium, and a gentle buzz as travelers and locals alike fall for one masterpiece after another. And, if you need a pit stop, the museum’s café looks out onto the Seine. Whether you’re a diehard art lover or just curious, Orsay always delivers. 

Musée de l’Orangerie: Monet’s Infinity  

Just north of Montparnasse in the Tuileries, the Musée de l’Orangerie is a serene detour into art and tranquility. The showstoppers here are Monet’s Water Lilies—enormous, room-filling panoramas that invite you to sit, daydream, and lose yourself in color. The ambiance is peaceful, with oval-shaped galleries designed to evoke the cycle of nature and reflect the light of the Paris sky overhead. 

The lower galleries are packed with gems from Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, and more. The crowds are never overwhelming, and the vibe is more "local art haunt" than blockbuster line-up. Pair this with a riverside stroll and you’ll have an artistic afternoon to remember. 

Shakespeare & Company Bookshop: Literary Magic Awaits  

Let’s detour for a moment to the Left Bank, where you’ll find Shakespeare and Company, Paris’s legendary English-language bookshop. This isn’t just a store—it’s a bohemian sanctuary for readers, writers, travelers, and anyone who loves a good story. Inside, you’lldiscover quirky rooms stacked with classics, contemporary gems, and plenty of cozy corners to get lost in a tale. 

The shop’s history is endlessly charming, from housing penniless poets ("Tumbleweeds") to hosting midnight readings and book launches. The attached café offers legendary lemon pie and a view on Notre-Dame: perfect for an afternoon refuel. Don’t be surprised if you bump into a fellow traveler or a Parisian literary celebrity while you browse. 

Luxembourg Gardens: City’s Leafy Playground

Luxembourg Palace and Gardens

A 10-minute walk from the tower, Luxembourg Gardens are the city’s unofficial backyard. Impeccably landscaped lawns, stately statues, fountains, and chestnut trees form the perfect hideaway for Parisian daydreaming. Here, you can snag one of the famous green chairs, people-watch in the sun, or watch sailing boats glide across the main pond. 

Kids love the playground and pony rides, and grown-ups will appreciate the Medici Fountain, little orchard, and the beautiful palace at the heart of the park. Pick up a pastry from a Montparnasse bakery, bring a book, and settle in—trust us, you’ll want to linger. 

Montparnasse Cemetery: Quiet Reflections & Celebrity Sightings 

Wander to Montparnasse Cemetery for a tranquil Paris stroll where every path tells a story. From the resting places of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre to the flower-crowned grave of Serge Gainsbourg, the cemetery is full of poetic details. Ornate tombs, tree-lined alleys, and thoughtful tributes make this not just a cemetery, but a true outdoor sculpture museum. 

The vibe here is serene and contemplative, with birdsong overhead and the occasional writer scribbling under a tree. Grab a baguette for a calm picnic or simply roam and discover some Paris legends in their eternal home. 

Boulevard Edgar Quinet Market: Taste of Paris 

For a true local flavor fix, hit up the open-air Edgar Quinet Market. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the street fills with market stalls selling everything from luscious cheeses and ripe berries to fresh flowers and artisanal jams. Arrive early to enjoy the best selection—and to mix with local Parisians on their weekly shopping run. 

The colors, the friendly haggling, the free cheese samples—it’s a world away from the supermarket and a quintessential Paris experience. Perfect for stocking up before a park picnic or for finding delicious edible souvenirs. 

Parc Montsouris: Green Escape on the South Side 

Looking for a break from the city buzz? Parc Montsouris, a pleasant walk or quick Metro ride from Tour Montparnasse, is one of Paris’s largest and most beloved parks. With its sweeping lawns, picturesque pathways, and a tranquil lake complete with friendly ducks, this space is made for lazy afternoons. Locals picnic under huge plane trees, runners zigzag along winding trails, and families gather by the classic bandstand. 

Bring along treats from the Edgar Quinet Market or a fresh baguette from a neighborhood bakery and make yourself at home on the grass. Artists sketch by the water, students sunbathe, and occasional live music floats from the park’s amphitheatre. It’s a big, bright taste of Parisian leisure, just beyond the tourist trail. 

 

Tour Montparnasse isn’t just a stop for the city’s best view—it’s your jumping-off point for classic museums, indie bookshops, lush parks, bustling markets, and café tables still haunted by creative legends. Wherever you end up, Montparnasse and its neighbors guarantee you’ll see a Paris that’s as lively and unforgettable as the view from the top. Bon voyage—and happy exploring! 

Enjoyed this? Check out Everything You Need to Know About Go City’s Paris Passes or Things to Do Near Musée d’Orsay 

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The Eiffel Tower framed by fall color
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Paris in November

November might not be the first month you consider for a trip to Paris. Hear us out though – the eleventh month isn’t all doom and gloom. The fall weather may mean you have to spend more time indoors, but with a world-class selection of museums to choose between, that shouldn’t be too much of a hardship. And as visitor numbers thin out, it’s all the easier to have a tête-à-tête with the Mona Lisa or a Van Gogh self-portrait. Paris in November certainly isn’t quiet when it comes to things to do either. Two public holidays and an expansive list of – largely indoor – events are sure to keep you on your toes, whilst the latter half of the month sees Christmas slowly put its festive embrace over the City of Light. Cultural delights When it comes to museums, art lovers visiting Paris in November can rejoice at the number of first-rate galleries, or panic because of the number of first-rate galleries. A common place to start is at the Louvre. But as the second-largest gallery in the world, its 38,000 objects can be overwhelming. Just across the River Seine, the Musée d’Orsay’s works span less than 70 years. It’s no less impressive for that, containing one of the most important collections of impressionist and post-impressionist art in the world, by the hands of luminaries including Renoir, Sisley and Gauguin. To delve into the thought processes and inspiration behind Pablo Picasso’s extraordinary output there’s Paris’s National Picasso Museum. Having lived in the city for over 40 years, its mass of sketchbooks, paintings and sculptures come directly from Picasso’s heirs, having initially formed part of his own private collection. It spans a lifetime of work, from his Blue Period to his surrealist masterpieces. Embrace sunset The nights drawing in during November have their advantages. Amongst them is the ability to experience the City of Light at its most enigmatic and atmospheric – when the sun settles over the French capital and its grand monuments are artificially illuminated. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Coeur Basilica are all elegantly lit. A Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus tour will save your feet, and also provide a little background to the backdrop of world-famous landmarks. Towards the end of the month, visitors to Paris are also able to experience the switching on of Christmas lights in around 150 streets. The obvious place to start is probably the Champs-Élysées, where no less than a million individual bulbs are draped over the trees. Elsewhere, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne are also reliable sources of festive cheer – and looming credit card limits. Check out alternatives to the high street The shopping doesn’t have to stop just because you head under cover. Some Parisians aren’t even aware of its maze of covered passageways. These decorative arcades host a fantastic array of independent stores, from jewelers to secondhand booksellers. You’ll also find a number of authentic cafés and bistros, whether you’re desperate for chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) or steak frites (steak and fries) and a glass of red wine. If the hot chocolate got you in the mood for all things cocoa based, you’re in exactly the right city. The history of how the odd-looking bean became one of the world’s most desirable crops can be discovered at The Gourmet Chocolate Museum Choco-Story. Meanwhile, the Salon du Chocolat fair at the end of the month sees five full days of chocolate-related fun. If the wines of France are more your cup of tea (to mix our metaphors), turn your attention to the city’s myriad caves (wine cellars). The third Thursday of November is the annual date set for the release of Beaujolais nouveau, and connoisseurs throughout Paris race to be the first to taste its youthful bouquet. Experience Paris on a day off ‘Beaujolais Day’ isn’t a national holiday – yet. However, Paris does have two bona fide jour fériés to prepare for in November. It begins with La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) on the first of the month. With offices, stores and restaurants closed for the day many families pay their respects to lost loved ones. Visitors might instead make a short pilgrimage to heroes including Oscar Wilde or Jim Morrison of The Doors at Père Lachaise cemetery in the 20th arrondissement (district). The second national holiday lies ten days later on November 11. Commemorating the end of the First World War in 1918, Armistice Day focuses on the Arc de Triomphe. The French President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the main arch. Further details of this time reveal themselves at the Musée Clemenceau, the former home of the French wartime prime minister. A giant of his day, Georges Clemenceau counted Claude Monet among his friends, and supported Alfred Dreyfus during the affair bearing his name which rocked France at the turn of the twentieth century. Get set for Christmas In addition to the arrival of its Christmas lights, Paris in November sees the appearance of many other seasonal activities more usually associated with December. Stores big and small, budget and luxury, compete against one another to have the most alluring window displays, with the large department stores renowned for going all out on the decorations. At the same time, Alsatian-style chalets start to appear in various public spaces as Paris’s Christmas markets take form. The Tuileries Garden hosts one of the largest, combining funfair rides, souvenirs and a decent supply of vin chaud (mulled wine). The La Défense district’s version welcomes an amazing 350 different stalls, alongside a large outdoor ice rink. The Grand Palais opposite the Eiffel Tower is turned into one giant indoor ice rink from around the middle of November, with music and light displays some evenings. Other outdoor rinks include those at Le Plaza Athénée and the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann. Get the most out of Paris in November Brilliant museums, dazzling night-times, wondrous foods and the start of the Christmas festivities. Is there anything that could make November in Paris any better? How about savings on admission to many of its top attractions? Explore with Go City and that’s exactly what you get!
Ian Packham
Couple cycling in front of the Eiffel Tower
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Paris Explorer Pass Vs The Paris Pass

Paris is one of those places you absolutely must visit at least once. And probably twice, or more. But let’s not mince words here: it can be eye-wateringly expensive, from those spicy city-center hotel prices to tourist-trap restaurants, cabaret tickets (even the cheap seats at the Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse ain’t that cheap!), and entry to bucket-list Paris attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Palace of Versailles. Not to mention the Arc de Triomphe, Musée d’Orsay, the exceptional Picasso and Rodin museums and, well, we could go on. Go City’s Paris Explorer Pass and Paris Pass are two great ways of ticking off those must-see museums, monuments and more while saving money for those other most essential of Parisian pastimes (we’re talking coffee, croissants, and café culture in general). But which is better value? And which will suit your Paris getaway best? We’ve broken it down to help you decide which pass to go for. Savvy travelers, read on… Paris Explorer Pass Vs The Paris Pass If you’re planning a trip to Paris and hope to take in more than the tiniest handful of city tours, activities and attractions, we have just the thing for you. The Paris Explorer Pass and Paris Pass from Go City offer two simple but slightly differing options for saving money when visiting multiple Paris attractions, including big-ticket must-sees like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. For the most up-to-date information, prices and attraction inclusions, and to buy your pass, please visit the official websites: The Paris Pass Paris Explorer Pass How the Passes Work to Save You Money A Go City Explorer Pass lets you choose how many attractions you want to visit when in town, while The Paris Pass lets you choose the number of consecutive calendar days in which to sightsee. In short, that means that the amount of money you save with the Explorer Pass will largely depend on standard entry prices at the attractions you choose to visit, while how much you save with The Paris Pass depends on the volume of tours, attractions and activities you can squeeze into your chosen number of days. Note that some of the most popular attractions on both passes require pre-booking. Paris Explorer Pass The Paris Explorer Pass includes your choice of several Paris tours, activities and attractions for one money-saving price. The pass comes in several options, from three-attraction choices up to seven. Once you’ve bought your pass, you’re then free to pick and choose from a selection of around 50 great things to see and do in and around Paris. You have 60 days from time of purchase to use your pass. Just show it at each attraction and you’re in – no need to pay at the gate. Savvy savers can potentially save up to 50% by visiting a high number of big-ticket attractions like Parc Astérix, a macaron-making class at the iconic Galeries Lafayette, and the Ultimate Louvre Experience, which includes a guided tour of the grounds and skip-the-line entry to the museum.  The Paris Pass The Paris Pass includes admission to almost 100 attractions for your choice of two, three, four or six consecutive days. Choose attractions, tours and activities on the go from 80+ options and simply flash your pass at each one to get in. Because the value of The Paris Pass increases the more you use it and savings don’t necessarily depend on visiting big-ticket attractions like the Eiffel Tower, you may well end up discovering some of the city’s more charming smaller museums – the Orangerie, and others dedicated to the work of  Rodin, Picasso, Dalí and Gustave Moreau being among some of the most polished gems in town. Your pass is activated the first time you use it and will expire after your chosen number of consecutive days have elapsed. What’s Included on the Passes? Both passes include the option to visit some very popular Paris attractions, as well as a number of walking tours and other fun activities. But not all are available on both passes, so it’s always worth checking the individual websites for the most up-to-date inclusions. For example, at time of writing both passes include entry to the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, but with slightly different experiences (e.g. elevator guided tour on Explorer; guided climb on The Paris Pass). You can visit the Rodin Museum or take a walking tour of the city’s beautiful 19th-century shopping arcades with either pass, but you’ll need a Paris Pass if you want to let your hair down at Parc Astérix or ogle the French Impressionist masterpieces in the Musée d’Orsay, while the Explorer Pass is your key to unlocking the secrets of Père Lachaise Cemetery or riding the Petit Train de Montmartre. In Brief… Still wondering which of the Paris Pass or Explorer Pass is for you? In short, the Explorer is likely to be right if you’re in town for a few days (or longer) and plan to intersperse a few bucket-list attractions with plenty of café culture and gentle strolls along the City of Light’s broad boulevards and swoonsome canals. Go for The Paris Pass if you’re a sightseeing hurricane, and hope to squeeze as many major (and minor) attractions, tours and activities into your Paris break as you can. Want to Save Even More? While visiting Paris on a shoestring is near-impossible, money-saving Paris attraction passes like the Paris Explorer and Paris Pass can really help take the edge off. But there are other ways to get more for your Euro. Check out our hints and tips on some of the most cost-effective (and free!) ways to have fun in Paris in the blogs below: Cheap things to do in Paris Unique and affordable Paris dining experiences The best markets in Paris The best walks in Paris Paris tourist traps to avoid Other things to do in Paris Save on Attractions, Tours and Activities in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Go City Expert
Alexander III Bridge over the Seine lit up at nightfall
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Free things to do in Paris

If it’s the idea of Parisian prices that’s putting you off visiting one of the world’s favorite cities, we’ve got a secret to share with you. You don’t have to spend a fortune to be able to see its world-famous attractions and landmarks. There are enough free things to do in Paris to keep even the most hardcore travelers busy for several days. Not convinced? Just check out our pick of the crop below. Discover Montmartre Whilst its hidden sights are perhaps best uncovered as part of a Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur walking tour, or by making use of the Petit Train, it is possible to take in much of Montmartre on a self-guided exploration of the area. Paris’s bohemian artistic quarter, it has been the haunt of a fascinating cast of characters since before it even became part of the city in 1860. Its atmospheric cobbled side streets and public staircases are the perfect place for a stroll, with sights including Renoir’s Garden and the Lapin Agile cabaret club to look out for. For those with budgets that don’t stretch as far as a show, check out the quarter’s street artists instead. Popular spots include the steps leading to the doors of the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur, which are free to enter (the crypt and dome require a ticket). Rather unusually for a Paris suburb, you can also take in the ripening grapes of the vineyard in Rue Saint-Vincent, producing just 750 bottles of wine in any one year. Look out for special events Even the popular kids don’t have as much in the diary as Paris. Pick a month and there’s probably a public spectacle that awaits, from Chinese New Year to Christmas markets. Many of the French capital’s top annual events are also pleasingly light on the wallet. June, for instance, sees Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) fill the streets of the capital with sound on the longest day of the year. A significant number of major parks and squares get in on the act with performances spanning the world of classical works and the latest urban music. More frequently, free concerts take place from January through to June and September to November at the American Church in Paris. It lies between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides – the burial place of Napoleon Bonaparte. Less than a month later on July 14 the Champs-Élysées is cleared of its usual traffic for the grand military parade which forms the centerpiece of the nation’s Bastille Day celebrations – perhaps the most important day in the cultural calendar. Museums open their doors long into the small hours during October’s Nuit Blanche (White Night), whilst those including the Louvre also offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month. Enjoy the art scene Art fans looking for other free things to do in Paris won’t be disappointed. In addition to the Louvre’s gratis entry days, there are several museums with important collections free to enter 365 days a year. The Paris Museum of Modern Art (Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris) is one. Ignore the ‘Paris’ in its name, the artworks it contains come from some of the world’s greatest 20th and 21st Century artists whatever their home city. Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Bridget Riley are all represented, alongside their many contemporaries. To discover artworks that are yet to make it into any museum head to the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin. It’s a hotspot for street art, which creates an intriguing contrast between the old locks and ironwork footbridges along its three-mile length. Take advantage of Paris’s green spaces Perfectly aligned with the south side of the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars is an exquisite place to spend a couple of hours. The mix of trimmed lawns, mature trees and tower views makes it an ideal place for a picnic. The older sibling to New York’s High Line, the Promenade Plantée brings the idea of a public park into the 21st Century. Raised above much of the city on a disused railway viaduct and even passing narrowly between buildings, it has plenty of spots to take in the vistas. Elsewhere, Paris’s largest cemetery, Père Lachaise, attracts a steady stream of visitors. Covering 110 acres, its tombstones and mausoleums span more than 200 years and two million interments. Amongst the better known are singers Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison, and Irish playwright Oscar Wilde. Admire the architecture There’s nothing freer or more freeing than getting about a new city on foot, uncovering the hidden sights you might otherwise miss, smelling the aromas of bakeries, cafés and restaurants, and hearing the everyday sounds of an area. Paris has no shortage of free walking tours taking place with an English language guide, although you’ll have to be at the designated starting point for their launch times. Going solo, it’s difficult to get lost if you stick to the right or left banks of the Seine, which are dotted with many of Paris’s most important landmarks from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Jardin des Plantes botanic gardens. The river’s banks are even more magical after nightfall, when its landmarks are picked out in stunning clarity by illuminations. Continue into the east of the city and you’ll quickly catch sight of the four striking towers that make up the National Library’s François-Mitterrand campus. They mark the corners of a lovely hidden garden at the same time as preserving a collection containing an estimated 14 million individual documents. Cross the Seine on the undulating form of Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir Bridge and you’ll end up in Parc de Bercy, liberally sprinkled with monuments. Knowing where to splash the cash in Paris Taking advantage of free things to do in Paris is a great way of staying on budget and exploring much of the French capital. However, there are some attractions you won’t want to miss which require an entry ticket. There’s help at hand here too though, and it comes in the shape of Go City. Save on admission to attractions you were going to visit anyway with our Paris passes!
Ian Packham

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