Day 3: Paris: Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris - Trocadero - Eiffel Tower - Champ de Mars - Le Marais - Place des Vosges - Bastille Square - Jardin des Plantes - Eiffel Tower at night
Today our body, despite wanting to get up a little earlier, does not let us get out of bed before 7 in the morning, and that is after traveling Montmartre yesterday and both day and night to enjoy the neighborhood, staying overnight is taking its toll and more today that we want to visit the Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris.
First coffee of the day in the room of the Hotel de Nell
So in the end they give us 8 when we go down to breakfast at the lounge of the Hotel de Nell, where after tasting incredible crepes with nutella, plus a plate of assortment of cheeses and ham, fresh orange juice and coffee, we collect our bags and We check-out, since the invitation from the Hotel de Nell offers us the possibility of also knowing the Hôtel Résidence Nell, located in a building that is a few meters away, where we will stay this last night of the trip to Paris in 4 days.
We check-in and after checking that the day is sunny and the forecast is to stay throughout the day, we go directly to the subway to go to the Catacombs of Paris, hoping that today is finally the day May we have the good fortune to meet them.
We arrive there when a few minutes past 10 in the morning, when they open and just leave the subway and look straight ahead, just as we did the other day, which is where the entrance to the catacombs is, we look again incredulous and it is that, even without being able to believe it, we see that the queues to access go around the whole enclosure and that only a few minutes past 10:00 in the morning. To make sure we ask again and they tell us that we must wait about 3 and a half hours to access, so we have to make a last-minute change of plans deciding that we will not be here until noon, so we return to the subway again , as we did yesterday, but this time with this day so clear, we put direction to the Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris, a visit that we did not do the other time that we were on the trip to Paris in 12 days and that we really want to enjoy, since we have seen some photos and we have to say that the views of the city are impressive. Without a doubt, climbing the Tower is one of the best tips for traveling to Paris that you can get.
We have only three stops until arriving and as soon as we go out we go directly to what is the entrance of the best viewpoint in Paris where we have to make a queue of more or less than 15 minutes, since the groups enter on the other hand but they are giving access in an alternative way to the individuals and the groups. A good option to guarantee the climb, especially on holidays, is to book the ticket here in advance.
The Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris
Entrance to the Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris
We pay 15 euros per person to enter the Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris, which is on the 56th floor and just entering one of the elevators, in less than 10 minutes we are already at the top, where we find a fully glazed floor, from where the views of Paris are impressive.
The Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris
After spending a good time in this area of the Montparnasse Tower, trying to locate all the places we have visited in the city since we arrived, we pass to the area of the discovered viewpoint, from where we have to say there are really impressive views.
Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris
Views of Paris from the Montparnasse Tower
Keep in mind that from the Montparnasse Tower you have 360º views over the city, something that at least for us, is another incentive, even after enjoying the views of Paris from the Eiffel Tower, from Notre-Dame and also of being the Sacred Heart. We would even say that the views of the city from here exceed any of the other options just named, so the Montparnasse Tower has become for us the best viewpoint in Paris.
The Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris
Sacre Coeur from the Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris
If you have to choose between any of the places just mentioned to enjoy a good view of Paris, we would opt, no doubt for the views from Notre-Dame, not only for the views, but also for the place and of course, for the views of Paris with the gargoyles in the foreground, one of the most symbolic images of Paris and also for the 360º views from the Montparnasse Tower, which is for us the best viewpoint in Paris.
Eiffel Tower from the Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris
It's 11:30 in the morning when we finish the visit to the Montparnasse Tower, the best viewpoint in Paris and seeing that the day is still as clear as expected this morning, we decided to make another small change of plans now approaching the Field of Mars to enjoy this area of the city, take some photos and enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower, something that since we started this trip to Paris we have not been able to do, at least closely.
We take the subway again and we go straight to Trocadero station, one of the places we remember with more affection from our previous stay in Paris and we approached the square where nothing else arrives invades some melancholy and is that although it still has The most beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower we have seen, now they have a part cut by works, something that no longer allows you to have the views so complete that you had a few years ago.
Eiffel Tower from Trocadero
From here we continue our walk around the Eiffel Tower, but instead of going to the Field of Mars, we follow the course of the Seine, an area that gives us unique views of the Eiffel Tower, passing before a very photogenic corner , where we find a small ferris wheel with the Eiffel Tower just behind.
Eiffel Tower from another perspective
This area of Paris, although we visited it the previous time we were, we did not follow the path of the Seine, something that we recommend, since you have unique views of both the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding area.
Eiffel Tower views
Eiffel Tower in Paris
After following the course of the Seine for a few minutes after we arrive at the Pont de Bir-Hakeim from where there are also incredible views and that without a doubt is very worthwhile, since it leaves quite the most tourist area, allowing you to obtain a new perspective of this area of the city.
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish from Paris by travelers:
- Tour of Paris, boat trip and Eiffel Tower
- Paris tour bus, OpenTour
- Excursion to the Palace of Versailles
- Night tour, cruise and Eiffel Tower
- Walk through Montmartre and Sacre Coeur- Many more excursions and tours in / from Paris here
We continue the journey until we reach the Mars Field, where in addition to a lot of security, which currently does not allow access to the base of the Eiffel Tower without entry, we do not find something we did not expect and that sincerely leaves us very out of place: Trash everywhere.
Garbage around the Eiffel Tower
We understand that last night was Saturday and therefore sure there were a lot of people on the street, but we found it totally illogical that it was already at 12:00 in the morning, if the garbage is really yesterday, they have not come to pick it up. Moreover, seeing that this happens throughout the area, we even look online to verify that there has been no strike or problem, but at least we are not able to find any information about it.
Eiffel Tower from the Field of Mars
From here we continue the tour around the Eiffel Tower now along the opposite bank of the Seine River, until we reach the Eiffel Tower again and then continue until we reach Rue de l'Université //bit.ly/2cFED6w from where You have beautiful and unique views of the Eiffel Tower between the buildings. An image less known for which it is very worthwhile to come here.
Views of the Eiffel Tower from rue de l'Université
Right here two streets below we have a restaurant that we have looked at on TripAdvisor, the Bistro an Italian restaurant that has very good opinions and where we see that there is a taste menu for 28 euros that really looks great, so without thinking much, We asked for a table and decided to recharge to continue this complete day in Paris.
We ordered a beef carpaccio, salmon carpaccio plus a plate of pasta and one of scallops plus desserts, beer and soda and of course, two espresos for 71 euros. Yes, it is true that the concept of an economic menu comes out a bit, but it is true that to be in Paris and for everything we have eaten, we find that it is a more than fair price. In addition to being very close to the Eiffel Tower, something that undoubtedly also increases prices.
Eating in Paris
It's a little after 3:00 in the afternoon when we have just eaten and approached the Field of Mars again, now taking a walk in the area, to lower the food a little and enjoy this incredible area of the city, which despite what we said before, is still one of the best things to do in Paris that you can not miss.
Eiffel Tower from Champs de Mars
To climb the Eiffel Tower you can buy at the box office at the base of the tower and wait a long time in the queue, or reserve the ticket online and skip the queue.
We are here until after 4 in the afternoon, at which time we decided to return to the subway to get closer to Le Marais, a neighborhood that has been highly recommended and where we are looking forward to spending a few hours. But before, having the City Hall area so close we decided to go for a walk, also approaching the Pompidou Center, one of the views we made on our previous visit to the city and that we had special interest in remembering again, since the area We liked it very much.
Pompidou Center
Pompidou Center
Almost without realizing it, we must bear in mind that this area of the city is charming and there is no corner where you do not want to stop, we reach Le Marais, one of the trendy neighborhoods in the city where we take the opportunity to stop and take a couple of non-alcoholic cocktails on a terrace for 12 euros, which in addition to cool down a little bit of the sunny afternoon we have, they serve as a perfect excuse to rest and renew energy before entering fully into the neighborhood.
Le marais
After the experience we have to say that the visit to Le Marais is really worth it. We did not know him and after a recommendation made by several followers on social networks, we have to say that we were also surprised to find that it is a great area to spend a few hours.
Le marais
Le marais
In this neighborhood we not only find charming boutiques, but also especially photographic corners and of course, with highly recommended places to eat, such as L'as du Fallafel, a place where they say you can try one of the best fallas in the world. After eating the truth, we are not very hungry, so we leave this experience pending for the next time we come to the city.
A fallafel?
Streets of Le Marais
After more than an hour touring Le Marais, we continue the route approaching to the Vosges Square orPlace des Vosges, another of the most visited places in Paris, where we enjoy for a while the tranquility that this area of the city has, although really now there are many people who notice that due to the good weather leaves and takes advantage of it is Sunday afternoon to Enjoy these last holiday hours of relaxation.
Vosges Square
After stopping here for almost half an hour, we follow the itinerary until we reach the Bastille Square from where we continue along the Bassin de l'Arsenal, an area known as Little Venice of Paris where we did not arrive on our previous trip and we were curious to meet.
Bastille Square
Bassin de l'Arsenal
After touring the Bassin de l'Arsenal we arrive at the Garden of Plants, another place that we did not know before, where we take a walk and where we have to say in honor of the truth that we wait a little longer. It may be because of the heat or the hours we have been touring the city, but it has not finished surprising us as we expected, so we simply take a walk and decide when it is practically 7:30 in the afternoon to go to the hotel to take a shower and when it starts to get dark again to go out to tour the entire area of the Eiffel Tower, we are looking forward to seeing her again when night falls.
Plant Garden
We arrive shortly after 8 pm at the Hôtel Résidence Nell and after taking a quick shower and having a coffee in the room, we go back to the streets of Paris, taking advantage of the fact that we have a Mexican right next to the hotel for dinner.
We ordered some nachos, some quesadillas and a melted cheese, more drinks a beer and a soda for 32 euros, which give us energy to start with a night that is very, very special.
More practical information to prepare your trip to Paris
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Paris
- 100 things to see and do in Paris
- 10 essential tips for traveling to Paris
- 20 essential places to visit in Paris
- The best free tours in Paris for free
A good option to see the Eiffel Tower and Paris at night is to book this night cruise on the typical Bateaux Parisiens ships that includes a city tour and skip the Eiffel Tower to see all of Paris at night.
For a special occasion, if you go especially with your partner, a boat trip on the Seine with gourmet dinner will surely not disappoint you.
They are two of the best tours and excursions in Paris.
It's 9:30 when we take the subway on Gran Boulevard that takes us directly to Trocadero, where we just met the image we were looking for: the illuminated Eiffel Tower surrounded by a unique atmosphere.
Eiffel Tower
From here we propose to do the same route we did this morning, since the locations and perspectives were really incredible, so without thinking much and having to make room for ourselves at some moments, we arrived again at the area of the ferris wheel, which These hours of the night look especially lovely.
Eiffel Tower
And of course, the next part is to cross the banks of the Seine, while enjoying these incredible views of the illuminated Eiffel Tower. We recommend that if you have the opportunity, do not stop coming to this area of Paris at night since it has nothing to do with the images and feelings you may have during the day.
Eiffel Tower at nightfall
It's almost 12 at night when we return to Trocadero, without stopping too much to catch the subway that takes us back to the Hôtel Résidence Nell, where we will spend the last night of this incredible trip to Paris that is giving us so much.
Day 4: Paris: Louvre - What to see on the Cité Island: Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte Chapelle- Alexander III Bridge - Charles de Gaulle Airport - Barcelona - Lloret de Mar
