There are many spots in Paris to see the city from above, the Terrace at Printemps Haussman is free and easily accessed. Have a look with me...
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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Printemps Haussmann Terrace
The Rooftop terrace of Printemps Haussmann is one of the best free locations to see Paris from above. It offers a 360 view of the city. The closest buildings are Madeleine and the Opera Garnier.
The Haussmann Terrace is one of the best places to see Paris from above.
TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS
Getting to Printemps Haussmann
- Métro station Havre-Caumartin
- 64 boulevard Haussmann
Visiting The Terrace at Printemps Haussmann
- There are 3 different buildings for this mall. You need to go into the Home and Beauty One in the middle.
- It is on the 9th floor. There are lifts at one end but with the number of customers, it can take a long time before they stop at your level
- You can also take the escalators all the way to the top
- There is a coffee shop at the top, le Deli-cieux (French play of words with Delicious, Deli and Cieux which means skies). You cannot bring external food.
- Opening times may vary (normally 9:35 am to 8 pm) - check on the Printemps's site front page for any exceptional changes
Getting to the top
Those department stores at a real maze sometimes. You have to get inside on the Home and Beauty one (on the ground floors is make up and perfume)
Lifts are on the left side when entering via Boulevard Haussmann. They can be very slow.
Otherwise you can take the 9th elevators which become narrower and narrower. They are located in the middle of the shop
This is the terrace viewed from the Haussmann Boulevard:
Panorama
The terrace is 360 with great views of the roof of Paris all around. However on the day I was there, there were redoing the terrace so access was limited.
This photo is the Haussman Boulvard side view:
Opera side
Just before climbing to the rooftop terrace, I visited the Opera Garnier. I was happy to get a good view of the to of the building from there.
Eiffel tower side
A bit further, I could see the Eiffel Tower. This is not the best spot to see the iconic tower (I think Arc de Triomphe is) but it was popping above the roofs quite nicely.
The building at the end of the road is the intriguing church of Madeleine in the share of the Greek temple.
La Defense
Far away we get also a good view of the business district of La Defense
In front is the Saint-Augustin church:
If you look well, you can also see the top of Arc de Triomphe:
Sacre coeur
The Printemps terrace is one of the best spot to see the Sacre Coeur Basilica and Montmartre. However during to the remodelling I did not get to shoot the best angle
I was stuck with that one angle with the tower of the Trinity church in front.
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