Montparnasse cannot remain the same without its imposing tower. Even though many berate its sensuousness, they agree that the best view of the French capital is from its top. Massive brasseries, quirky galleries, and shady boulevards have attracted gourmands and artists since the days of Pablo Picasso and Oscar Wilde. Today, Montparnasse stands for the significance of the Left Bank. Also, it is one of the most tranquil quarters to take on in Paris.

While its aesthetics is a divisive topic among locals and tourists, everyone is of the thought that the Montparnasse Tower offers a unique view of Paris. The view is captivating and it has a full panorama of the city that no one would want to miss. You will be thankful to yourself if you can reach its top for the sunset. Also, you should order your tickets in advance online. The Montparnasse Tower can be found at 33 Avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris.

>>Also Read: Paris Travel Guide

Here Are A Few Things To Do In and Around The Montparnasse Tower That Will Make A Visit Worth It

Enjoy Impressive Views

Montparnasse Tower is a worthy rival to the Eiffel Tower. It is a great place to savor fantastic views over the whole of Paris, including La Tour Eiffel. Take a delightful ride in the sophisticated elevator, which will take you to the summit in an extraordinary 38 seconds and relish some of the most striking views that Paris boasts of.

Furthermore, there is a ‘360’ Café and a rooftop champagne bar, perfect for a recess before you proceed to the ground. Pro-tip: bring along a great camera and choose a clear and bright day if possible, or else it may not be worth to visit the Montparnasse Tower.

>>Also Read: Best Things To Do In Paris

See Famous Graves at Montparnasse Cemetery

Even though it is not as popular as Père-Lachaise in the northeastern part of the city, the Montparnasse Cemetery is also a stunning place for a walk, especially on a sunny afternoon or morning. Opened to the public in 1924, this place is quite younger than similar places in the city. It is home to hundreds of trees, statues, and graves of iconic artists, writers, and other figures.

Also, check out the resting place of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre (buried adjacent), Charles Baudelaire, Guy de Maupassant, and many others. Rue Froidevaux is the choicest entrance to the cemetery when you visit from the Montparnasse-Bienvenue Metro side. There is also the main entrance at 3, Boulevard Edgar Quinet.

>>Also Read: Famous Cemeteries in Paris

Have Some Of The Best Galettes and Crepes in Paris

Locals know too well that Montparnasse has lots of Brittany-esque restaurants that produce some of the savory buckwheat galettes and best crepes in the city. This combination makes a perfect meal for anyone: lovers of regional cuisine, vegetarians, and even households with young, picky eaters.

Whether you are yearning for a delightful galette filled with egg and cheese, a small quantity of vanilla ice cream, a meal having warm goat’s cheese, walnuts, honey, and salad greens, or a tasty dessert crepe smothered with salted butter caramel, the choicest neighborhood creperies offer tasty and affordable fare. Do not forget to try a ‘bolet’ (earthenware cup) too.

Admire Fine Sculptures at the Musée Bourdelle

For sculpture buffs, Musée Bourdelle is one of the most adorable among Paris’ petit museums. It offers a nice swath for strolls too. The most interesting thing about the museum is the free admission for everyone to its permanent collection.

Displaying the drawings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and apartments of sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, this place is a marvelous spot. The outdoor garden perimeter is marked with more works from the less popular who was close pals with sculptor Auguste Rodin. The museum can be found at 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris.

Step Into The Chilling Bony World of the Catacombs 

For a dose of the unusual, head straight to the Catacombs under the city. There lie the remains of six million people craftily stacked and symmetrically arranged in centuries-old quarries. Made up of human remains that were brought in from the Cimetèire des Innocents in the 1700s, the Catacombs span more than a mile underground. Not every part of the underground tunnel is open to the public, though.

Not everyone will have a nice time in the underground with skeletal remains of the forgotten. For some, a visit to the Catacombs is the right blend of bizarre and wonder as their archaeological hankers are fixed. What particularly amazes visitors is how artfully the skulls and bones are placed, set with plaques that reflect poetically on the transient nature of life.

Do not forget that the visit here demands a descent down a long spiral staircase. Therefore, visitors with heart conditions and limited mobility will not be allowed to visit here. The Catacombs are located at 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014.

Also Read:
>>Should You Visit the Catacombs of Paris?
>>Are the Catacombs of Paris Dangerous?

Stroll Down an Old Theatre-lined Street

One of the lively streets in the Montparnasse district is Rue de la Gaité- the hub of a theatrical area that is as nice and authentic as they come. It is a district that has been linked with local cabarets and petit theater productions since at least the 1700s.

Marked with attractive restaurants, cafes, and performance venues mostly dating back to the early 1900s, Gaité is as bright and pleasant as its name suggests. And even if you do not see a show on the street, observe some of the frontals that exude ancient ambiance. These include the Bobino, Comédie Italienne, and the Gaîté-Montparnasse theater. Also, grab an aperitif or a coffee at the lively brassieres and cafes.

Observe Modern Art at the Fondation Cartier

For those who are big on modern art, Fondation Cartier offers a good exhibit. Hosted in a striking, floor-to-ceiling-glass building with well-manicured green gardens and plants, this is one of Paris’ best modern contemporary art museums.

Fondation Cartier regularly updates its galleries in its exhibits on contemporary painting. Architecture, performance art, video, and pop music are features here. It is interesting to note that exhibits here have centered on mediums and topics of a long-range that includes geometric forms from South America, art built around trees, Patti Smith and William Eggleston artwork, and the history of rock and roll. Even the gardens are a flamboyant work of art made by Lothar Baumgarten.

>>Also Read: Best Museums in Paris

Immerse Yourself in the Community Spirit at Les Grands Voisins

Les Grands Voisins is an inventive live-work utopia. Even though this work is yet to be completed, about 2000 people, including refugees, craftspeople, and artists, are already working and living here. Tourists are also welcome to come for a coffee, drink at the bar, or shop in the ateliers and boutiques. Les Grands Voisins is located at 74 Avenue Denfert-Rochereau, Paris.

Shop On rue Daguerre, Parris

Rue Daguerre is worth a visit because true market streets are becoming a rarity in the French capital. It spans east to west, just south of the Cimetèire du Montparnasse. The most interesting part is the eastern end, where the street links avenue du Général Leclerc. Step there to meander or shop along a strip of butchers, greengrocers, and boulangeries.

>>Also Read: Best Observation Decks in The World

Look Into The Past At The Observatory 

This is the oldest active observatory, and it was built in 1667. This one immensely assisted the launch of meteorology in Europe. As visitors will see, its building is made of many petit and cute rooms that appear old styled. For those seeking to draw closer to the Parisian skyline, the Observatory is the spot to be.

Dive Into Nightclubbing

For partiers, the Montparnasse Tower has something exciting for them. There are quite a number of clubs under the tower like the Mix Club, where students often go to take a break from the books. There, you will meet students from different parts of Europe who show up to have a decent slice of the Parisian experience. The atmosphere is electrifying, and the ambiance is infectious.

Also Read:
>>Best Night Clubs In Paris for Students
>>Paris Nightlife Guide
>>Best Latin Night Clubs in Paris
>>Best Clubs in Paris for Tourists

Visit the Museum Dedicated to Montparnasse Artist Zadkine

This doubles as a studio and is dedicated to the celebrated Russian-born sculptor and artist, Ossip Zadkine. He moved to Paris in the 1920s and flourished at the community center that had Picasso, Modigliani, Chaim Soutine, and several other 1900s luminary artists living in Montparnasse.

Similar to the nearby Musée Bourdelle, admission to this petit area is free. And like the Bourdelle, the studio provides a rather interesting take about the life, work and times of the artist, whose corpus of work includes photographs, sculptures, and drawings.

Is Montparnasse Tower Worth It? – Summary

Enjoy the unmatchable 360-degree view over Paris by day and night at the Montparnasse Tower Observatory Deck with an impressive 25 miles of visibility on clear days. This place gives you the chance to see all of the city’s popular attractions and monuments with ease.

Do not forget to bring along your camera because you will be compelled to capture fantastic photos of the city’s skyline from this distinct vantage point. Also, when you are done watching the magnificent world of wonders unfold, there are several interesting things to do beneath the Montparnasse Tower and near it. The Montparnasse Tower is Definitely Worth It on your next trip to Paris.