Montparnasse Paris view- Night or Day?

Montparnasse is like the fourth tallest building in Paris. The building itself is quite bad. Just a simple tall tower with seemingly nothing to offer. You could never have guessed the beauty that this ugly building hides whiting its walls, or to be more precise at its top. At Montparnasse 56 floor is just the most spectacular Panoramic Observation Deck.

I myself had the opportunity to visit Montparnasse Tower Panoramic Observation Deck twice now.

2 years ago I got to spend new years eve in Paris and visit Montparnasse a few hours before midnight. As it was winter time and the sun went down very early we got a beautiful sight over densely light Paris. The breathtaking sight was worth it even though it was so freaking cold and windy up on the top. That trip to Paris was quite eventful and you can read all about it on my New Years Eve in Paris.

This December I got to visit Paris again for the fourth time ever. Once again I got to visit Montparnasse tower but this time in the early morning hours. We were actually the first ones to enter the building after the opening hours. Besides our group, there was one other group of the rudest people ever and I just got to tell you about how ridiculously they were misbehaving.

It was this group of old Chinese people. Even though our Czech group was the first to come and step next to the main entrance, they somehow pushed us away and stepped in front of us or just really uncomfortably close to us. They didn’t care that I was there with my friend first, they just stepped in between us and separating us without a second thought.

Our tour guide got to talking with their tour guide and the Chinese tour guide admitted we were to enter first and told his group not to enter before us.

Sweet, right?

They really listened and did not try to push in before us. But they didn’t try to move at all, resulting in them blocking the door completely and us not being able to get it. It was so messy.

Finally, we got up through the elevator and up to the observation deck. We had a few seconds to enjoy the peace and quiet before the old guys stepped up. They were so loud it was unbearable. Shouting through the deck like they were the only ones here. To be fair, there were not a lot of people like 30-40 max and the deck is not that big, there is no need to shout that much.

There was a moment where I was just standing in front of the glass wall and looking at the view. There was no one in around 4 meters around me from both sides. I was all alone. Plenty of room next to me. But then there was this old guy who just comes to me and pushes me away. Like literally elbow me away and steps at the one place I was standing. I was like what the fuck just happened. I felt terrible for confronting old Chinese guys and still very shocked to react in any way. And that was not the only time I was being pushed around on an almost empty deck.

The worst and even more ridiculous situation occurred in a women’s toilets. Obviously, there is always a line at the woman’s bathroom. As I was stepping out of my toilet booth, this old Chinese lady didn’t have the hint of decency to wait for me to leave. She just stepped into the booth with me pushing me backward. I was standing in a toilet booth with an old Chinese lady unable to leave. Obviously, she didn’t understand me when I was like “excuse me I need to exit first” so calling them out on their inappropriate behavior was quite useless.

They pretty much ruined the tour for me as now when I look back all I can think about are those rude tourists.

I’m a huge fan of observation decks. To witness a city form up far is an unbelievably peaceful moment for me. Well unless you’re surrounded by noisy tourists.

Paris one is quite comfy. There is plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view. On the 55th floor there is a coffee shop so just imagine sipping coffee and having Paris on the palm of your hand. Besides coffee shops and coffee tables, there is a gift shop and covered platform to enjoy the view at room temperature.

There is a major difference between a Prague form up far, where I currently live, and Paris.

Prague is orange. All of the roofs have a brick orange color. Paris, on the other hand, is white.

All you can see in the daylight from Montparnasse’s observation deck is plain white, grey colors, strict lines with almost chirurgical precision. I liked this colder version of Paris much more than the romantic dark one full of city lights.

My love for Paris is summarized in my Paris is always a good idea. Again and Again.

When I saw the daylight view over Paris it all seems much bigger than the nighttime one. Don’t get me wrong, they both are spectacular. But if I have to choose my favorite that it’s gonna be a daylight view.

If you’re ever in Paris then I would definitely recommend Montparnasse tower. You get to see the view like no other and with the Eifel tower included. It costs 17euros for the tickets and you’ll get to the top in around 30 seconds by the elevator. It’s totally up to you how much time you want to spend up there.

As Paris is gonna host the 2024 Olympics games they have big reconstruction plans for the city and Montparnasse is one of the places that’s gonna change. This is your last chance to visit the Panoramic Observation Deck as it is now before the reconstruction.

So to answer the question “Is Montparnasse Paris view better at night or daytime?” I would have to say by day. It’s cleaner, organized and better for photographs. But the Eiffel tower is much much better at night time.

What do you think?