Tour Montparnasse was the tallest building in Paris and, until it closed for a major renovation in 2026, home to the only rooftop observation deck in the city with an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower itself. This guide explains the tower's current closed status, what the renovation involves, and where to go instead for a view over Paris in the meantime.
History
Tour Montparnasse, officially Tour Maine-Montparnasse, was built between 1969 and 1973 as part of a redevelopment of the Montparnasse train station area. At 210 meters, it became the tallest building in Paris and remained the only skyscraper allowed within the city's historic center, a status that made it controversial from the start. Critics argued its scale and modern glass-and-steel design clashed with the surrounding 19th-century rooftops, and Paris subsequently tightened height restrictions for future construction in the city center.
Despite the criticism, the tower's 56th-floor observation deck became one of the most visited viewpoints in the city, known for a view that included the Eiffel Tower in full, something the Eiffel Tower's own platforms obviously can't offer. Two of Europe's fastest elevators carried visitors to the 56th floor in 38 seconds, with a further climb of three flights of stairs to reach the open-air 59th-floor rooftop terrace.
The tower closed to the public and to its office tenants on 31 March 2026, the first step in a long-planned redevelopment of the wider Maine-Montparnasse complex. The plan, developed by the architectural consortium Nouvelle AOM, calls for a new glazed facade, an overhaul of the building's environmental performance, and asbestos remediation work addressing material left over from the tower's original 1970s construction. Asbestos removal began in July 2026, but the wider renovation project has since faced funding disputes among the building's co-owners, and no confirmed reopening date exists as of this writing. Earlier plans had targeted a reopening around 2030, though that timeline is no longer certain given the ongoing disagreement over financing.
Current Status: Closed for Renovation
Tour Montparnasse is closed to visitors. The observation deck shut down on 31 March 2026 as part of a large-scale renovation of the tower and the surrounding Maine-Montparnasse complex. The building has been fully evacuated, including its offices, and there is no public access to the 56th-floor observatory or the 59th-floor rooftop terrace during construction.
No confirmed reopening date has been announced. The renovation was originally expected to take several years, with an informal target of around 2030, but funding disagreements among the tower's co-owners have put that timeline in question as of mid-2026. If you're planning a trip and the Eiffel Tower view from Montparnasse was on your list, it's worth checking the tower's official website closer to your travel date rather than relying on this or any other guide for a reopening estimate.
In the meantime, other viewpoints in Paris remain open and offer comparable panoramas, including the Eiffel Tower's own upper floors, the rooftop terrace of the Arc de Triomphe, and the dome of Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre.
Getting There
Even though the tower is closed, the surrounding Montparnasse district, with Gare Montparnasse and its shops and cafés, is still worth passing through, and the metro station beneath the building remains a major interchange.
| Metro | 4, 6, 12, 13 | Montparnasse – Bienvenüe |
| Train | – | Gare Montparnasse |
| Bus | 28, 58, 82, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96 | Montparnasse |
Address: 33 Avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris, France
What the Tower Offered (Before Closure)
Unobstructed Eiffel Tower view
The only Paris viewpoint that shows the Eiffel Tower in full, since you're not standing on it. Whether this remains part of the renovated tower's public offering hasn't been confirmed.
38-second elevator
One of Europe's fastest elevators carried visitors from ground level to the 56th floor in well under a minute.
59th-floor open-air terrace
Reached by three flights of stairs above the main 56th-floor observatory, the highest open-air point in central Paris.
Le Ciel de Paris restaurant
A restaurant on the 56th floor served meals with a panoramic view, separate from the observation deck ticket.
Good to Know
The tower's silhouette is still visible from across the city, even though you can't go up. If you specifically wanted a photo of the Paris skyline that includes the Eiffel Tower without the Eiffel Tower itself blocking the view of itself, the Arc de Triomphe's rooftop is the closest substitute currently open, followed by Sacré-Cœur's dome for a different, lower-angle view over the rooftops.
Montparnasse Cemetery, a short walk from the tower, remains open and is worth the detour if you're already in the area, alongside the Paris Catacombs entrance nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The observation deck closed on 31 March 2026 for a major renovation of the tower and the surrounding complex, and there's no public access during construction.
No confirmed date has been set. An earlier target of around 2030 has become uncertain because of funding disagreements among the tower's co-owners in 2026.
No, regular observation-deck tickets are not currently available. Be cautious of any listing claiming to sell dated entry.
The Arc de Triomphe's rooftop terrace and the Eiffel Tower's upper floors are the closest open alternatives for a panoramic view over Paris.
The tower needs a new facade, environmental upgrades, and removal of remaining asbestos from its 1970s construction, as part of a wider redevelopment of the Maine-Montparnasse district.
