The tower was constructed on the site of the former Gare Montparnasse railway station.
It was the tallest building in France from its completion in 1973 until 2011.
The structure contains over 7,200 windows across its facade.
The wind at the 59th-floor rooftop can cause the building to sway by several inches.
The building was the first skyscraper built within Paris city limits, causing significant public outcry that led to a ban on skyscrapers in the city center shortly after its completion.
Montparnasse Tower is a 210-meter office skyscraper located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. It features an indoor observation deck on the 56th floor and an open-air panoramic terrace on the 59th floor. The tower stands as the second tallest building in the city of Paris after the Tour First. Its distinctive design is characterized by a dark, glass-curtain wall facade that contrasts with traditional Parisian limestone architecture. The observation deck provides a 360-degree view of the city, encompassing landmarks from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré-Cœur. High-speed elevators transport visitors from the ground floor to the 56th floor in approximately 38 seconds. The site is currently undergoing an extensive, long-term renovation project known as the 'Tour Maine-Montparnasse' transformation, which includes structural and aesthetic updates to the building's exterior. It remains a primary destination for aerial photography of the Paris skyline.
The north-facing side of the 59th-floor roof terrace, which provides an unobstructed, direct frame of the Eiffel Tower.
Check the weather forecast before visiting, as visibility is severely reduced during heavy cloud cover or rain.
Visit the gift shop on the 56th floor, which offers a selection of locally themed items that are often distinct from street-level tourist traps.
Dress in layers; the wind on the 59th-floor open terrace is significantly stronger and colder than at street level, even in summer.
Visiting when there is low-hanging fog or heavy rain, as you will not be able to see through the glass or from the roof.
The building is currently undergoing a long-term, multi-year renovation process; check for partial terrace closures.
