14 “Hidden” Eiffel Tower Viewpoints Many Visitors Miss
The Eiffel Tower is the unofficial symbol of Paris, and while I definitely think it’s worth climbing, I’d also say the best views of the city actually include the tower itself.
Over the years, I’ve made a bit of a hobby out of tracking down great Eiffel Tower viewpoints beyond the most popular places. Now, I will say, not every spot on this list is a complete secret. Some have become increasingly popular, especially with photographers.
But compared to famous spots like Trocadéro, the Champ de Mars, a Seine river cruise, or Rue de l’Université, they’re still far less obvious and often much less crowded.
I’ve personally visited every one of these viewpoints, many of them multiple times, and these are the ones I’d recommend if you’re looking for something a little different.
1. By the Statue of Liberty
One of the more surprising things you’ll find along the Seine is a smaller version of the Statue of Liberty, standing on the Île aux Cygnes near the Pont de Grenelle bridge. It was gifted to Paris by the American community in 1889, and it’s a fun landmark to stumble across if you’re walking along the river.
From Pont de Grenelle, you’ll get an up-close look at the statue, but if you want the angle that lines it up with the Eiffel Tower in the background, head one bridge farther to Pont Mirabeau. It’s an incredibly unique shot!
2. Rue de Monttessuy
Rue de Monttessuy has a really underrated street view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s not too far from the popular Rue de l’Université, but there’s hardly anyone else here, and you can still see most of the tower rising above the buildings.
The angle stays fairly consistent the length of the street, though I think the view is a bit nicer from the section farther from the tower.
And if you want a classic French meal with a great Eiffel Tower backdrop, Au Bon Accueil on Rue Montessuy is a fantastic option.
3. Place de Sydney
Place de Sydney sits just southeast of the Champ de Mars (the greenspace in front of the tower) and is one of the most overlooked Eiffel Tower viewpoints. The angle here is fantastic, as you get a close, dramatic view of the tower rising above elegant Haussmann buildings.
It’s an easy spot to swing by if you’re already exploring the area and walking the Champ de Mars, and the lack of other visitors makes it great for photos.
4. Passerelle Debilly
Passerelle Debilly is a modern, pedestrian-only bridge just upstream from the Eiffel Tower. The curved steel archways make a great backdrop, and since you’re so close to the tower, it’s easy to frame it between the bridge’s columns for a really striking shot.
5. Rue Buenos Ayres
Rue Buenos Ayres sits on the opposite side of the Eiffel Tower from the much more famous Rue de l’Université. Like its better-known counterpart, it leads straight toward the tower and frames it beautifully between classic Haussmannian buildings.
The biggest difference is the crowds. Rue de l’Université is one of Paris’s most popular photo spots, so you’ll almost always find people in the street, even if you arrive early. Rue Buenos Ayres isn’t exactly a secret anymore, but it’s still quite a bit quieter.
If you’re hoping for those empty early morning photos, Rue de l’Université usually has people on it from dawn, while Rue Buenos Ayres often stays empty for quite a while longer.
6. Bell Towers of Notre Dame
The Notre Dame towers are fun for so many reasons, including one of the most interesting rooftop viewpoints in Paris. Visiting the cathedral itself is free, but the towers require a separate paid ticket and only a limited number of people are allowed up each day.
Once inside, you’ll climb the narrow staircase, walk along the rooftop, see one of the massive bells up close, and stand eye-to-eye with the famous gargoyles. From the top, you can look out over central Paris and spot the Eiffel Tower, or other landmarks like the Pantheon or Sacré Coeur in the distance.
7. Le Recrutement Café
Café Le Recrutement is a charming little spot a few blocks northeast of the tower. If you stand across the street, you get a great angle with the café façade in front and the tower rising at the end of the road.
I love this perspective because it captures everything people picture when they imagine Paris: a neighborhood café, elegant architecture, a quiet side street, and the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance.
Le Recrutement is also just a short walk from Les Invalides and Pont Alexandre III.
8. Avenue de Camoens
Avenue de Camoëns is no longer the secret it once was, but compared to Paris’s biggest Eiffel Tower viewpoints, I’d still consider it under the radar. And this spot is truly picture-perfect. The slight hill you’re on gives you a higher vantage point, which is part of what makes this spot so pretty.
This spot gets more popular every year, especially for couples’ photoshoots, and there are only a couple of places where you can stand for a photo. You might have to wait for a few minutes for your turn to take pictures.
You can also walk down the staircase just behind this main viewpoint, which offers another beautiful angle and is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris.
9. Bir Hakeim Bridge
Bir Hakeim is a double-decker bridge with the metro running on top and a pedestrian level below. The lower level has several excellent Eiffel Tower viewpoints within a few steps of each other.
The stone archway under the bridge gives you a beautiful framed view of the tower. Right next to it, the metal support columns for Metro Line 6 create another great frame with their symmetry and hanging lamps.
There’s also a small stone ledge overlooking the river for a more open shot. And if you ride Metro Line 6 between Passy and Bir Hakeim, the train crosses the upper level of the bridge and gives you one of the most scenic metro views in Paris.
10. Avenue de New York
Avenue de New York runs along the opposite bank of the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, and the tree-lined sidewalk gives you one beautiful framed view after another. It’s one of my favorite streets to walk for tower photos.
There isn’t a single “best” spot here – the sidewalk stretches for quite a while between the Pont d’Iena and Pont de l’Alma, and you’ll find great angles all along the way.
11. Printemps Rooftop
Many visitors head to the famous rooftop terrace at the Galeries Lafayette department store, and for good reason. The panoramic views are excellent. The downside is that it’s almost always packed with people.
Just a few doors away, the Printemps department store has its own free rooftop terrace, and surprisingly few visitors seem to know about it. The terrace is smaller, but it’s a really pleasant space with plants, seating, and its own sweeping views across Paris.
You don’t get the iconic Opera Garnier angle that Galeries Lafayette offers, but the view toward the Eiffel Tower is still fantastic. If you’d rather enjoy the skyline without squeezing through crowds, I actually prefer Printemps.
12. Port Debilly
Port Debilly is the walkway that runs right along the Seine across from the Eiffel Tower, and being at the water’s edge makes for an incredibly picturesque scene.
This is truly one of my favorite Eiffel Tower viewpoints— just be careful near the edge, as there are no guardrails here.
13. Tour Montparnasse
The Montparnasse Tower is the lone skyscraper in the middle of the Left Bank. While it’s often called an eyesore on the Paris skyline, the views FROM the tower are undoubtedly stunning.
The rooftop observation deck offers 360° views of Paris, with a pretty unique perspective. You get an incredible elevated view of the Eiffel Tower with the Champ de Mars in front and the La Défense skyscrapers in the background.
It almost feels like you’re in a drone looking at the tower!
Tickets start at €18 if you buy online, and an elevator takes you straight to the top.
Note: The Montparnasse Tower closed in March 2026 for several years of renovations.
14. Pompidou Center
The Pompidou Center is one of the most unique museums in Paris, with its “inside-out” design of exposed pipes, escalators, and bright structural elements. Even if you’re not visiting the modern art galleries, you can ride the escalator tube for free and enjoy some surprisingly good views of the city.
You’ll get glimpses of the Eiffel Tower from the escalator itself, but the best vantage points are on the open-air terraces on levels 5 and 6, where the view is completely unobstructed.
Note: The Pompidou Center closed in September 2025 for major renovations and is scheduled to reopen in 2030.
