La Terrasse des Galeries Lafayette

Sure, so it's not the Empire State Building. But if you fancy seeing Paris from on high without having to pay an entrance fee or queue for hours, then this is the place for you. All you have to do is head to Galeries Lafayette and haul yourself up to the seventh floor for a panoramic view of the city, stopping at the sixth to grab something to eat or drink. The vista is one of the most impressive you’ll get in Paris – it beats that from the Eiffel Tower by virtue of having the Tower in it. As the terrace is only accessible during the Galeries Lafayette’s opening hours, it’s better suited to a daytime breather than to a night of stargazing. Note that the top floor of the Printemps store next door is also open to the public, and has a café too: le Déli-Cieux.​


By AW/CB