Why is this amazing view not at the top of the lists for tourists? I think it is because it is from the sad 1970's, 59-story skyscraper, Montparnasse Tower at the end of Rue de Rennes. It's almost like everyone wants to act as if it's not there. But you can't miss it.

The Tour de Montparnasse is just a few blocks down from our apartment and I've passed the entrance to the top several times as I've entered and exited the metro stop below. But I've yet to see a line waiting to go up. In Paris, that's unheard-of.

So we decided to go up and see if the views were decent. What you find once you've been elevated to the 56th floor is actually an enclosed view of Paris below you. There are informative picture histories of Paris behind you as you gaze out the windows to the city below. Just like at the top of the Empire State Building, they snap a picture of you hoping you'll purchase them on your way back out, but the real treasure is only up a few flights of stairs up. I was expecting the wind to practically blow me off the top, but instead you enter a wind and rain protected area along the edges and a heli-pad in the center. And a full 360 degree view of Paris.

Les Invalides and Napoleon's Tomb

Sacre Couer (center top), Louvre and Tuilleries Gardens, with Ferris Wheel (along bottom)

Luxembourg Gardens

Rue de Rennes, St. Germain des Pres (top of the street), St Sulpice (to the right of street), my apartment on the right, half way up the street, 8th floor.

It costs about the same as the Eiffel Tower (12.50 euro), but with none of the waiting and crowds. But most importantly for me, you can see the Paris you want to without the view of the Montparnasse Tower getting in the way. If you go, the tower is hard to miss, but it is at the Montparnasse metro stop and the Gare du Montparnasse.