The Montparnasse Tower’s panoramic observatory has been closed to the public since March 31, 2026, for a renovation project announced to last several years: you can no longer go up to the 56th floor or the rooftop terrace. This page sets out what the operator says, what is left to see at the foot of the tower, and the other Paris viewpoints we have covered in detail, with sunset times month by month to help you choose.
The tower, completed in 1973, remains a landmark of the 15th arrondissement, above Montparnasse station. To plan the rest of your stay, our guide to visiting Paris brings together neighborhoods, museums and transport.
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Montparnasse Tower: key facts
- Status: observatory “CLOSED to the public for renovations” — checked on 23 October 2026 on tourmontparnasse56.com
- Since when: March 31, 2026, according to the operator’s announcement
- For how long: “several years”; no reopening date is published
- Why: the co-owners decided to empty the building completely before a full renovation of the tower and of the whole Maine-Montparnasse complex
- Tickets: do not buy an observatory ticket while the official site shows the closure
- Address: 33 avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris
Why the Montparnasse Tower is closed
In its official announcement, the observatory’s operator, Magnicity (site run by OPTM SAS), explains that the closure follows the decision of the tower’s co-owners to vacate the building completely ahead of major works. The program aims to transform the tower and its surroundings completely, and the tower will remain closed for several years. Magnicity, which had run the observatory for 53 years, continues to operate its other panoramic sites, including in Warsaw, Berlin, Rotterdam and Chicago.
A few facts given by the operator: the observatory opened in 1974, a year after the tower; it has welcomed more than 30 million visitors and, since 1990, more than 3,200 events (concerts, fashion shows, a temporary ice rink). The official site is still online: it still shows ticket offers and hours from the opening period, but the closure banner takes precedence.
Mistakes to avoid during the closure
- Buying a “Montparnasse observatory” ticket on a resale site: the operator announces the closure, so a ticket dated after March 31, 2026 will not get you up.
- Relying on an old guide or hours sheet: the hours and prices in circulation date from the opening period.
- Booking an activity at the top of the tower without written confirmation from the operator: the building has to be completely vacated.
- Planning a sunset “from the tower” in an itinerary: choose one of the viewpoints below.
Where to see Paris from above instead
The view from the Montparnasse Tower had one asset: it included the Eiffel Tower. Several monuments we have covered in detail offer a panorama, each with tickets, hours and constraints checked on their official sites in our guides:
| Viewpoint | What you see | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower | The highest view in Paris | Eiffel Tower: tickets and hours |
| Arc de Triomphe | The avenues radiating from the Étoile, the Champs-Élysées, La Défense, the Eiffel Tower | Arc de Triomphe: the terrace |
| Sacré-Cœur (dome) | Paris seen from the north, from Montmartre | Sacré-Cœur and its dome |
| Panthéon (colonnade, seasonal) | Latin Quarter, Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower | Panthéon: visiting |
| Notre-Dame (towers) | The Seine and the Île de la Cité | Notre-Dame de Paris |
For a view that includes the Eiffel Tower, as the Montparnasse view did, the Arc de Triomphe and the Panthéon come closest in spirit to the observatory. Families looking for a day trip instead may also look at Disneyland Paris or Parc Astérix.
Sunset time in Paris, on the 15th of each month
This was the big question for visitors to the terrace; it applies to any Paris viewpoint. We calculated the time of sunrise and sunset on the 15th of each month, at the tower’s coordinates, so you can choose your slot at another viewpoint.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length (h:min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8:38 | 17:21 | 8:42 |
| February | 7:59 | 18:10 | 10:12 |
| March | 7:04 | 18:55 | 11:51 |
| April | 7:00 | 20:41 | 13:41 |
| May | 6:09 | 21:25 | 15:16 |
| June | 5:46 | 21:55 | 16:09 |
| July | 6:03 | 21:49 | 15:47 |
| August | 6:42 | 21:06 | 14:24 |
| September | 7:26 | 20:04 | 12:38 |
| October | 8:10 | 19:01 | 10:51 |
| November | 7:59 | 17:10 | 9:12 |
| December | 8:37 | 16:54 | 8:17 |
Key takeaway: on June 15, the sun sets at 9:55 pm, on July 15 at 9:49 pm: a viewpoint that closes early will not let you see the sunset in summer. On December 15, it sets at 4:54 pm: a late-afternoon visit is enough.
What to do at the foot of the Montparnasse Tower
The Montparnasse neighborhood remains accessible: Montparnasse station, Montparnasse Cemetery, the historic cafés of boulevard du Montparnasse. The announced works concern the tower and the Maine-Montparnasse building complex: expect surroundings under construction. The Latin Quarter and the Panthéon can then be combined with this neighborhood.
Getting there
The tower is at 33 avenue du Maine (Paris 15th), above the Montparnasse-Bienvenüe metro station and next to Montparnasse station. Check the RATP website for any access closures linked to the works.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Montparnasse Tower open?
No. The panoramic observatory (56th floor and terrace) has been closed to the public since March 31, 2026 for a renovation lasting several years, according to the operator.
When will the Montparnasse Tower reopen?
No date is published. The operator speaks of a closure of several years linked to the complete transformation of the building.
Can you still buy tickets for the observatory?
The official site still shows offers, but also the closure banner. Do not buy a ticket for a date after March 31, 2026, especially from a reseller.
Where can you see Paris from above with the Eiffel Tower in the view?
From the terrace of the Arc de Triomphe or the Panthéon’s colonnade (seasonal), or from the Eiffel Tower itself for the highest view.
What time does the sun set in Paris?
On June 15 around 9:55 pm, on December 15 around 4:54 pm, according to our calculation with the NOAA algorithm (table above).
Our sources
- Paris Montparnasse (Magnicity / OPTM SAS): tourmontparnasse56.com, home page and announcement “Paris Montparnasse Observatory Closed on March 31, 2026”, consulted on 23 October 2026
- Calculations: NOAA solar algorithm (Europe/Paris time zone, 2027), Wikidata coordinates (Q323767)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Reopening schedules may change: check the official website before you go.