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Post by luckyluc on Jun 13, 2007 8:52:16 GMT -5
Far from me to start a debate about the “best” view of Paris, since I believe that any view of Paris is a good one! But I think it would be nice to share our discoveries.
Of course the four most obvious one (Eiffel, Montparnasse, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame) are still fantastic. My personal favorites are:
Le Panthéon : on top of the 206 steps giving access to the circular colonnade.
Parc de la Turlure: a very different view of the Sacré-Coeur, and a nice hide-away from the tourist.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: (19ème) a walk up to the belvédère is definitely worth the efforts.
What is yours?
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 13, 2007 8:55:50 GMT -5
I loved the view from ND and SC, but agree about the Pantheon (one of those places most people don't seem to visit). I haven't been to (didn't even know about) the other two, so add those to my rapidly growing list of places to visit!
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Post by GitteK on Jun 13, 2007 9:02:10 GMT -5
From the top of Parc de Belleville
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Post by Ray(aka) tripnebraska on Jun 13, 2007 20:46:02 GMT -5
Parc Buttes Chaumont was definitely worth the time it took to get there.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 13, 2007 22:05:31 GMT -5
O.K., I know this isn't what you had in mind, but one of my favorite views was from the balcony of my room at the Hotel Britannique on Avenue Victoria. It was on the second floor, so not very high up and certainly not panoramic. However, it was so special to me because every morning I'd step onto that very narrow balcony, look out, see the Hotel de Ville and say to myself: "I'm really in Paris." Then I'd think about the wonderful day I had ahead of me. The feeling was absolutely priceless, I can assure you.  |
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Post by mtngrl on Jun 13, 2007 22:47:26 GMT -5
Oh shoesy, you have me even more excited about our trip! We are staying at the Britannique so I hope to have a view as well!
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 13, 2007 22:50:01 GMT -5
Really? Did you ask for a street view room?
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 13, 2007 22:59:33 GMT -5
I enjoyed the view from the rooftop terrace at Galleries Lafayette. It's another one of those places that's up far enough to see pretty far, but not so high you can't see the details on the street below. Great view of Opera Garnier from there, too.
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Post by mtngrl on Jun 13, 2007 23:04:29 GMT -5
Shoesy, no, but I will...thanks!!!
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Post by mtngrl on Jun 13, 2007 23:06:34 GMT -5
Shoesy, I just replied to one of their emails and made the request. We will see!
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 14, 2007 8:18:00 GMT -5
Since most buildings in Paris are rather low, it's fairly easy to get a good view. Certainly, Les Ombres is a nice panoramic view, and the view from the upper windows at Musée d'Orsay have their qualities.
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Post by GitteK on Jun 14, 2007 8:20:24 GMT -5
Truffaut - agree about the view from Orsay, and you can go out on the roof terrace also (access from the cafeteria/restaurant on the top floor).
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 14, 2007 8:28:57 GMT -5
I always loved the view from the now-defunct Samaritaine Dept. Store. It was actually a fairly well-kept secret until about 1998 or so. Then when Rick Steves let fly with the secret, the jig was up and it was overrun with tourists.
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Post by luvparee on Jun 14, 2007 8:48:41 GMT -5
I love standing at the western tip of I'lle de la Cite (Square Vert Galant?) by the little willow tree and just rejoicing that I'm in Paris! However, walking across any of the other bridges in Paris almost brings tears to my eyes.
I also have a great black & white photo that I've enlarged and framed that I took from down on one of the quais of the Seine looking toward the Eiffel Tower and when it was enlarged, I noticed that standing on the closest bridge above was a couple in an embrace that I didn't even notice when I was snapping the picture!! That's quite a view!
Keep the "views" coming -- we're all looking for a great new spot!
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Post by geordy on Jun 14, 2007 8:49:25 GMT -5
I like the views from my hotel rooms particularly if they look out to a street with various shops..like a bakery, butcher, fish store, etc. I like watching them clean up, set up , in the mornings and like to watch people go about their everyday lives shopping on the way from work ....
Also any hotel room view which includes a glimpse of one of the "biggies!"
Street noise doesn't bother me much as I live in a first floor front on the Upper East side. I always opt for a street view.
The view from the Terrasse at Cafe Desport at St. Michel is lovely!
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Post by mtngrl on Jun 14, 2007 9:04:07 GMT -5
Thanks to Shoesy, we have rooms at the Britannique that look out to the street, so can't wait to see those views!
Our other hotel for the trip, the Muguet, we have rooms reserved with views of the Eiffel Tour and Invalides. We have two rooms, so might swap rooms with each other if we want a particular view each night, lol!
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Post by andi on Jun 14, 2007 9:09:50 GMT -5
I too love the view along the Blvd Grenelle from our hotel room, nothing fancy just bustling with Parisian life. Apart from Sacre Cour I have been unable to get another good view because my travelling companions are wussy with heights but next time I will push a little harder to get them up atleast the first level of the tower.
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Post by GitteK on Jun 14, 2007 9:35:56 GMT -5
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Post by geordy on Jun 14, 2007 10:19:11 GMT -5
You are VERY, VERY Bad!!! Monday at noon!! 2 weeks!!! Can I be you in my next life??!!  What a wonderful view...I know you will enjoy every nano second(or whatever!) !! What is this ..one more work day?? Bon Voyage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 |
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Post by GitteK on Jun 14, 2007 10:35:21 GMT -5
geordy - nope, I had my last workday yesterday (Wednesday). Today I have had my footsies done, so they look soft and attractive. I have done some ironing - still need some - and tomorrow I shall finish packing, more or less.
You wouldn't want to be me - except for when I am in Paris.
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hahahha