Paris Unlocked: Unmissable Adventures Near Tour Montparnasse

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

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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Montamartre and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica
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5 Days in Paris

Packed with world-class museums, verdant parks, superb shopping and household-name attractions including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, it’s no surprise that Paris is one of the world’s most-visited cities. 5 days in Paris gives you just enough time to scratch the surface of this wonderful city, ticking off its top attractions and experiencing a flavor of its arty neighborhoods and exquisite café culture. The sheer number of things to see and do around the city can make it difficult to know where to start though, so check out our suggested 5-day Paris itinerary below for inspiration. Day 1: Bucket List Bonanza Everyone knows you haven’t really arrived in Paris until you’ve snapped a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower, our first port of call on this, your whirlwind romance with the City of Love. There are a number of ways to experience the Tower: you can climb the 674 stairs or take the glass elevator to the viewing platform on the second floor, 115 meters up. Or you can whiz all the way to the very top where, 276 meters above terra firma, a champagne bar awaits to help steady your nerves. Alternatively, dodge the queues and take in fantastic views of The Iron Lady from a number of nearby vantage points, such as the Champs de Mars park directly underneath, or through the majestic Fountain of Warsaw’s sky-high water jets in the Jardins du Trocadéro just across the Seine. Make your way to the nearby Arc de Triomphe where you can pay your respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and laugh in the face of the meager 284 steps required to reach the viewing platform up top. Board a bateau at dusk for a more relaxed way to sightsee, on a gentle Seine cruise. No time of day in Paris is more magical than when the skies begin to darken and the City of Light comes thrillingly to life, with the illumination of glorious riverside landmarks including the Louvre, Grand Palais and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Day 2: Latin Quarter and Musée d’Orsay Unless you’re absolutely art mad, a five-day trip to Paris will likely only take in one of The Big Two (that’s the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay to you and me). Perched on the Left Bank in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station, the Musée d’Orsay is smaller, more easily navigable and generally less crowded than its famous sibling with the glass pyramid that lies just across the river. The museum boasts the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, with artists including Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Toulous-Lautrec, Degas, Gauguin et al very well represented here. Go for the fine art and stay for the fifth-floor café's huge station-clock window and its exhilarating views over the Seine to the Louvre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica. From Musée d’Orsay it’s a short stroll east along the riverfront to where the Paris bouquinistes ply their trade from stalls packed with second-hand books of all kinds, from antiquarian atlases to graphic novels. Here, in the boho Latin Quarter, stroll the narrow cobbled lanes and alleys, and pause at one of the cute sidewalk cafés for coffee and pastries before paying homage to Rousseau, Voltaire, Louis Braille, Marie Curie and the dozens of other Gallic greats interred beneath the Panthéon’s impressive dome. Day 3: Picnic in the park Paris is made for picnicking. From the sweeping, manicured lawns of the Champs de Mars by the Eiffel Tower to the secluded hills and wooded valleys of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont on the edge of town, there’s a lunch spot to suit all tastes. Step one: pick up your picnic. You’ll want crusty bread, a selection of cheeses and fruits and, why not, a cheeky bottle of French wine as a bare minimum. Sure, you could get all of this in a standard supermarché. But where's the fun in that? Instead, guarantee a knock-it-out-the-park pique-nique you’ll never forget by heading to one of the city's market streets and stuffing your hamper with delicious, fresh gourmet goodies. Straddling the 1st and 2nd arrondissements on the Right Bank, Rue Montorgueil will make all your foodie dreams come true, and is also home to the oldest pâtisserie in town, where signature sticky rum babas are guaranteed to make your tastebuds sing. Across the river in the Latin Quarter, Rue Mouffetard is a picturesque place to pick up a picnic from the many bustling stalls and stores that line its cobbles. Suitably stocked up, all you need to do now is pick a park for your leisurely lunch. For feet-up-by-the lake tranquility, formal gardens and sculptures by Rodin, Mailliol and more, head for Jardin des Tuileries by the Louvre. Or, for a spot of old-fashioned Parisian people-watching, the gardens of 17th-century Place des Vosges in the Marais are hard to beat. Meanwhile, out on the opposite edges of town, Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, the city’s largest public parks, offer relative seclusion and room to roam amid chateaux, boating lakes, botanical gardens, grottoes and more. Day 4: Montmartre One of Paris’s ‘must-sees’, the Montmartre butte is the highest point in the city, with the flamboyant Sacré-Cœur Basilica perched on top, and some of the best views in town. Wander the cobbled streets and you’ll soon discover why this atmospheric part of Paris has inspired so many artists down the centuries. You can view the work of many of them – Manet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Miró – at the excellent Musée de Montmartre, a 17th-century mansion with tranquil gardens that were immortalized in art by Renoir, a former resident. Grab a coffee and pastry at the Café des Deux Moulins, made famous from its starring role in the movie Amélie. Have your portrait painted by local artists in the picture-perfect Place du Tertre, just behind the basilica. Grab a snap of the Moulin Rouge’s iconic red windmill. And head to the wildly romantic-sounding le mur des je t’aime for a souvenir selfie of your time in the City of Love. Featuring the phrase ‘I love you’ in 250 languages, this ‘wall of love’ is a permanent art installation made from hundreds of enameled lava tiles. Day 5: A Spot of Souvenir-Shopping Make your last day in Paris as special as the first, with some leisurely souvenir-shopping in and around the Marais district, with its cobbled lanes, independent boutiques, cute pâtisseries and historic 19th-century arcades nearby. Step back in time to Belle-Époque Paris in the wonderfully whimsical Passages Couverts, a series of 18th and 19th-century shopping arcades with narrow walkways, glass-and-iron roofs and old-fashioned storefronts. You’ll find two of the best in the 2nd arrondissement, neighboring the Marais. Neo-classical Galerie Vivienne has intricate mosaic floors and an elegant glass dome that sits atop a rotunda decorated with nymphs and goddesses. Nearby Passage Choiseul is the longest covered passage in Paris and a registered historical monument. Expect chic fashion boutiques, wine cellars, jewelers, antiquarian bookstores and an old-school Paris vibe inside both. The gift shop just around the corner from the Marais' marvelous Musée National Picasso-Paris merits a visit in its own right, with tasteful Picasso-inspired homeware, art prints, pottery, bags and much more on offer. And it would be remiss to go home without a pretty box of macarons, that colorful meringue-based confection so beloved of Parisians. You’ll find these in any Marais pâtisserie worth its salt. But this is Paris, darling, so treat yourself by splashing out on some of the poshest in town from French pastry master Pierre Hermé. Save on top attractions during your 5 days in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Louvre Museum
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Guide to the Louvre Museum - Tips for Visiting

If you do one thing in Paris, it should be the Louvre. Pay a visit to the world’s largest art museum and spend an entire day marveling at their exhaustive collections of art and artifacts. It's consistently among the most-visited art museums and one of Paris’ most popular attractions. While their collections encompass some 380,000 objects, only a portion of these are on display at any given time. Items hail from all around the globe and throughout human history, including objects from prehistory all the way up to twenty-first-century works of art. The Louvre has particularly notable strengths in Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, Sculpture, and Painting, among others. The museum itself is a work of art—housed in the Louvre Palace (originally built in the late twelfth century as the Louvre Castle), it’s a veritable maze of art and artworks. Creative types will find a haven here, with something from just about every period and field to marvel at. Don’t forget about the signature I. M. Pei pyramid out the front which acts not only as a piece of art but a stunning entranceway to the museum! The Louvre Tickets Looking for discount tickets to the Louvre? Grab a pass from Go City. Spend less on admission to the Louvre and dozens of other museums, tours, cruises, and other great Paris attractions. Enjoy 2, 3, 4 or 6 days of unlimited sightseeing and save big on combined admission versus paying at the gate. See more on pricing for our passes. Louvre Tips for Visiting Be sure to download an interactive floor plan prior to your visit — it’s available in seven languages and will be invaluable in helping you plot out your course through the museum. Consult the museum calendar to see what special events, gallery talks, or tours are going on during the day of your visit. You may also wish to grab an audio guide for the Louvre. Available in seven languages, this is one of the coolest and more comprehensive audio guides around. The Louvre is big—like, really big. Wear comfortable shoes and plan to rest periodically. The Louvre is also difficult to navigate, but they’ve really simplified things by making their collections color-coded. Each of the eight curatorial departments is assigned a color, and then each room within the department is given a number. Follow your map and the signs on the wall and you’ll be good to go. Take your kids to the Touch Gallery. It’s the only place in the entire museum where visitors are encouraged to touch the sculptures (which are replicas of those found in the museum’s collections). Other important places like elevators, restrooms, and restaurants are identified via pictograms—so no worries if you don’t read French. For those visitors traveling with little ones, check out the Tuileries Gardens, which are filled with kid-friendly activities like a carousel, trampolines, and little boats. What is the Best Time to Go to the Louvre? You should plan to spend most of the day at the Louvre if you want to see a representative sample of the exhibits; it is also possible, however, to organize a “highlights” tour and accomplish it all in a few hours. We recommend visiting the museum first thing in the morning as soon as they open to maximize your time spent inside the institution. Crowds will be heavier mid-morning and late afternoon. If you're trying to attend a special docent tour, it’s wise to consult the museum’s schedule of events to see what’s available during the day of your visit. What to Bring to the Louvre Comfy walking shoes – the floors are hard and you’ll be traipsing around quite a bit. Money for souvenirs – their bookstore is one of the best places to shop for tourists in the entire city and it’s worth spending some time there. Layers – the museum is climate controlled, but this can differ depending upon the type of art. As a result, you may feel cool in some rooms but warmer in others. A camera—there are places in the Louvre where photography is limited or prohibited, but you’ll want it on hand for the opportunities that do arise. What to Do at the Louvre The museum collections are all sorted into one of eight curatorial departments: Egyptian Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Islamic Art; Paintings; Sculptures; Decorative Arts; and Prints and Drawings. We’ve listed a few of the highlights of each department below. Egyptian Antiquities One of the most famous collections within the Louvre’s vast holdings, the department of Egyptian Antiquities is filled with hundreds of items from Nile Valley civilizations. Items date as far back as the prehistoric period (about 4000 BCE) all the way to the early Christian period (around the fourth century CE). The objects in this department include everything from small pieces of jewelry, games, funeral urns, and amulets to large sarcophagi, engraved portions of tomb walls, and statuary. Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities Spanning the rich, diverse cultures of Greece, Italy, and the broader Mediterranean area, the objects and artifacts in this department range from the Neolithic era to the sixth century CE. Here is where fans of classical archaeology and mythology will find their inspiration. With art objects that cover everything from the iconic amphoras to intricate statues of the gods to the signature black and red Greek pottery, you’ll be amazed at the breadth and depth of these collections. Near East Antiquities One of the broadest categories of art and objects at the Louvre, the Near East Antiquities department spans an astonishing nine thousand-year period—from prehistory to the early Islamic period. Artifacts were discovered in a wide range of territory, from North Africa to Central Asia, and from the Black Sea to the Arabian Peninsula. Highlights of this department include tablets bearing some of the earliest forms of writing, ancient beaded jewelry, board games, and dozens of religious statues and figures. Islamic Art New galleries in this department opened in 2012, allowing for an expanded display of Islamic artwork for Louvre visitors. There are a few thousand objects on display here, ranging geographically from Southeast Asia to Spain, and temporally across nearly 1,300 years of human history. A few of the objects you might see in this department include dishware and pottery, sculptures, textiles and texts, and manuscript pages. Paintings With a couple hundred works currently on display, paintings are one of the larger curatorial focus points at the Louvre. This department is among the most famous as well, with particular strengths in Italian Renaissance art and Dutch Old Masters. The collection encompasses every major European school of painting as well, including works from the thirteenth through the nineteenth centuries. Some of the most famous works in this collection include Leonardi da Vinci’s world-renowned Mona Lisa, Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and Johannes Vermeer’s The Astronomer. Sculptures The Department of Sculptures has had a long and varied history, currently encompassing Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern sculptures. Every work here dates prior to 1850, and only includes those that do not qualify for the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Department. Some of the most stunning art objects in the entire Louvre are found here, ranging from statues of gods and goddesses to biblical characters to modern individuals of note. Decorative Arts One of the best departments for those who appreciate and/or study the history of material culture in a global context, this area of the Louvre boasts a simply stunning collection of objects from around the world. Objects were created between the early Middle Ages and the mid-nineteenth century. You’ll find everything from jewelry and ivory work to stained glass and furniture. Many of these objects inspire us to wonder what will happen to our own precious goods after we’re gone. Prints and Drawings This is one for the history of the book people. Here you’ll find a wide selection of printed material, including drawings, pastels, printed books, manuscripts, woodcuts, and lithographic stones. The unique thing about this department is its approach to displaying the collections—because of their innate fragility, most works are kept in careful storage and are circulated in and out of temporary displays. As a result, all exhibits here are temporary, so what you see during your visit will be totally unique! Save on Louvre Tickets with a Go Paris pass A Go City attraction pass for Paris provides admission to the Louvre and dozens of other Paris and area museums for one low price. You’ll also get admission to tours, cruises, and other top Parisian attractions to round out your weekend getaway.
Katie Sagal
Mother and Daughter by Eiffel Tower
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Paris in Three Days: Culture, Croissants, and City Views

Visiting Paris for just three days? Here’s your foolproof, flavor-packed itinerary!

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