Montparnasse Tower: Paris’ Boldest Skyline Icon, Now Closed to Visitors

Montparnasse Tower’s observation deck has been closed to visitors since March 2026.

Montparnasse Tower's Observation Deck Is Closed to Visitors

Montparnasse Tower’s landmark 56th-floor observation deck has been closed to visitors since March 2026, and in September 2026 the building’s co-owners voted against a major renovation project that would have prepared it to reopen. There is currently no confirmed date for the observation deck to reopen. Montparnasse Tower itself remains part of the Paris skyline, but its viewing platform is not currently open to the public. If you’re looking for a Paris view to visit today, browse our recommendations for other unforgettable vantage points and landmarks below.

More Paris Landmarks Worth Visiting

Musée de l'Armée

Housed within the historic Hôtel des Invalides, the Musée de l'Armée traces centuries of French military history, from medieval armor to the World Wars. Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb rests beneath the museum's gilded dome, one of the most recognisable landmarks on the Left Bank.

Arc de Triomphe

Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 and completed three decades later, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought for France. Its rooftop terrace looks out over the twelve avenues radiating from Place Charles de Gaulle, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies at its base.

Musée National Picasso-Paris

Set inside the 17th-century Hôtel Salé in the Marais, the Musée National Picasso-Paris holds the world's largest public collection of Picasso's work, spanning paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and personal archives.

Panthéon

This neoclassical monument in the Latin Quarter began as a church and became a civic mausoleum during the French Revolution. Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie are among the figures entombed beneath its dome, where Foucault's Pendulum still swings.

Rodin Museum

The Musée Rodin occupies the Hôtel Biron, where Auguste Rodin lived and worked. The Thinker, The Kiss, and The Gates of Hell are on display throughout the building and its three-hectare sculpture garden.

Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection

Once an 18th-century grain exchange, this rotunda near Les Halles was redesigned by architect Tadao Ando and reopened in 2021 as a contemporary art museum built around François Pinault's collection.

Musée de l'Orangerie

On the edge of the Tuileries Garden, the Musée de l'Orangerie is best known for Claude Monet's Water Lilies, displayed across two purpose-built oval rooms, alongside the Walter-Guillaume collection of early 20th-century art.

About Montparnasse Tower

Montparnasse Tower has stood over the Paris skyline since 1973, when it became mainland France's tallest building at 210 metres (690 feet) and 60 storeys. Built at a moment when Paris was rethinking its relationship with modern architecture, it remains one of the most recognisable landmarks on the Left Bank even as its observation deck sits closed to visitors while the building's future is decided.

A Controversial Icon: Building Montparnasse Tower

Montparnasse Tower was built between 1969 and 1973, designed by architects Eugène Beaudouin, Urbain Cassan, and Louis de Hoÿm de Marien. At 210 metres and 60 storeys, it became, and remains, the tallest skyscraper within the city of Paris.

The tower was controversial from the start. Its scale and modern, monolithic design drew strong opposition from figures including Minister of Public Works Edgard Pisani, backed by Minister of Culture André Malraux, and it has long been criticised by Parisians as out of step with the city's historic skyline.

The backlash had lasting consequences for the whole city: two years after the tower's completion, Paris banned new buildings taller than seven storeys in the city centre. That ban stood for decades, was lifted in 2015, and was reinstated in 2023 following the controversy over the Tour Triangle project, so Montparnasse Tower is likely to remain one of the few skyscrapers permitted within central Paris for the foreseeable future.

Why Montparnasse Tower Is Closed

Montparnasse Tower's observation deck closed to visitors on March 31, 2026, when the building's operator announced it would shut for what it called a very long period, of at least five years, to allow for a planned renovation.

That renovation was thrown into doubt on September 23, 2026, when the tower's co-owners voted down the roughly €800 million project, with more than 76% voting against it. No alternative financing plan or reopening date has been announced since.

For now, Montparnasse Tower's future, and any timeline for its observation deck to reopen, remains unresolved. We'll update this page as soon as there's real news to share.

How to Get to Montparnasse Tower

Address

Montparnasse Tower is located in the heart of Paris’ Left Bank, in the lively Montparnasse district known for its cafés, theatres, and historic artistic scene. Its central position makes it easy to reach from most parts of the city.

33 Avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris, France

Find Your Way

The metro is the most efficient way to reach Montparnasse Tower, especially during busy hours in central Paris.

The nearest station, Montparnasse–Bienvenüe, is directly connected to the tower and served by four major metro lines:
-Line 4 – Connects central Paris from north to south, stopping near Châtelet, Saint-Germain, and Denfert-Rochereau.
-Line 6 – Offers scenic elevated views on the way from the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro.
-Line 12 – Links the Left Bank with artsy neighbourhoods like Pigalle and Montmartre.
-Line 13 – Convenient if you are coming from the Champs-Élysées or northern Paris.

From the platforms, simply follow the “Tour Montparnasse” signs for a direct exit.

FAQs

Is Montparnasse Tower open to visitors?

No. The observation deck has been closed since March 31, 2026, and there is currently no date for it to reopen.

Why is Montparnasse Tower closed?

The observation deck closed for a planned renovation project. On September 23, 2026, the tower's co-owners voted against that renovation, so no reopening date has since been announced.

When will Montparnasse Tower reopen?

There's no confirmed reopening date. We'll update this page as soon as there's news.

Can I still buy tickets for the observation deck?

Not right now. Ticket sales for the observation deck are paused while it's closed. See the recommendations above for other Paris viewpoints you can visit today.

Is Montparnasse Tower still visible from outside?

Yes. The tower itself remains part of the Paris skyline; only the observation deck and rooftop terrace are closed to visitors.

How do I get to Montparnasse Tower?

The nearest metro station is Montparnasse–Bienvenüe, served by lines 4, 6, 12, and 13. See the transport tabs above for bus, train, taxi, bike, and walking options.

Is Montparnasse Tower the tallest building in Paris?

It's the tallest skyscraper within the city of Paris itself, at 210 metres, though other structures in the wider Paris region are taller.